Grand Rapids TeachScience Workshop

Education

Join Climate Generation’s TeachScience Grand Rapids workshop that will bring science, engineering, and education together to provide a foundation for learning towards the new MN middle school science energy and climate standards and support learners in building green career awareness and skills. Learn more about the TeachScience Project.

Workshop Details

Cost: Free!
Accommodations: Lunch provided, limited travel and lodging stipends available
Location/Dates: Grand Rapids, June 27-28, 2023 at Minnesota North College, Itasca Campus
16 clock hours towards continuing education credits
Registration is now closed

Explore the Grand Rapids TeachScience Workshop

Featured Green Professional

The renewable and environmental job sector grew by 237% in the U.S. in the last five years. Curriculum that supports students’ development of the technical and adaptive skills needed in a green economy will connect students to career pathways that help them envision a healthy future. We are excited to have Green Professionals join the TeachScience workshops to share their stories.

Julie Kennedy is the General Manager of the Grand Rapids Public Utilities. Julie will present an overview on the new Grand Rapids project, the Itasca Clean Energy Solar Plus Battery Storage Facility. The grassroots initiated project took nearly 7 years to complete and is the first of its kind in this area. Julia has previously held roles as the Grand Rapids City Engineer, Itasca Community College instructor, consultant and researcher. She grew up in Anoka, MN where both parents were public school teachers. Julie has two teenage children and enjoys being active in their academics and activities.

Featured Curriculum

We are so excited to be joined by KidWind as a curriculum partner! KidWind will provide the opportunity to learn the science and technology around the power grid, wind turbines, and solar power. The energy-based content combined with practical standards connected classroom activities will make it easy to bring renewable energy into the classroom.

Meet the KidWind Instructors Joining TeachScience

Kim Menard is a Lakeville elementary STEM teacher and state PAEMST finalist. Kim's approach to teaching was transformed by attending a 2016 Kidwind event where she experienced the joys of "low floor, high ceiling" solar lessons. Whether creating a simple solar fountain circuit or taking a model solar house to new levels, she saw ways to engage a huge variety of learners and inspire them to picture themselves in green energy careers. Excited students worked with Kim to promote solar for their own district. Her building now produces 98% of the electricity they need with a rooftop array.

David Barrett has been an educator with Saint Paul Public Schools since 1984. His career focus has been science with an emphasis on Environmental Studies. For the past 12 years he has taught and facilitated learning at an Aerospace Focused school. David is a husband, father and grandfather. He is also a very active outdoor enthusiast.

Climate Generation’s Green Careers for a Changing Climate and newly updated Experience Energy curricula will be explored to help teachers and students use science practices to make sense of social and scientific phenomena. Teachers will get to leave with a printed copy of the new 6 lesson curriculum Experience Energy! Check out all our curricular resources here.

We strive to make our events accessible to all. This venue is wheelchair accessible and has single stall restrooms available. Please note any visual, auditory, and/or cognitive accessibility needs in the registration form.

Note: Limited travel stipends are available to educators traveling to their nearest workshop.

Thank you to our host,
Minnesota North, Itasca Campus: