A series of four free workshops for educators entitled Introductory Alternative and Renewable Energy will be held in May and June co-sponsored by PPL Corp., Penn State University, McKeever Environmental Learning Center and the Department of Environmental Protection.

The workshops are set for--

· May 15 - Holtwood Environmental Center, Holtwood (in partnership with PPL Corp.);

· June 8 - Applied Science Building, Penn State University, University Park (in partnership with Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory and Center for Sustainability);

· June 14 – 15 - McKeever Environmental Learning Center, Sandy Lake (in partnership with McKeever Environmental Learning Center); and

· June 21- DEP’s Southeast Regional Office, Norristown.

The workshops will be held from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (lunch and refreshments included). Teachers will be eligible for 7.0 Act 48 credit hours.

Workshop participants will learn about and explore alternative and renewable energy technologies through presentations, hands-on activities and field trips to see alternative energy technology in action.

The workshop is geared for upper elementary, middle and high school teachers and non-formal educators and is based upon Pennsylvania’s Academic Standards for Environment and Ecology and Science and Technology.

This year, there will be an optional evening session on June 14 at the McKeever Environmental Learning Center from 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. (dinner and refreshments included). For educators who attend this optional evening session, overnight accommodations are available, as well as, 2.5 additional Act 48 credit hours.

“This workshop is designed to help educators address state mandated academic standards for environment/ecology and science/technology, while focusing on an important and pressing environmental issue,” DEP’s Director of Environmental Education Jack Farster said.

To register for one of the Introductory Alternative and Renewable Energy workshops, educators should contact Ann Devine, in DEP’s Environmental Education and Information Center, at 717-772-1644 or E-mail adevine@state.pa.us by May 1. Space is limited. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

3/23/2007