Energy Efficiency Professional Development for Educators

Teachers with solar ovens
Teachers at workshop

Every summer the EarthWays Center holds Energy Efficiency teacher workshops across the state to help educators explore the science behind energy and sustainability through hands-on, interactive activities and classroom lessons. In 2023, educators will have the option to attend a workshop in person or virtually.

Topics and activities change every year so teachers can attend each summer, but all workshops include:

  • Background information about energy topics including forms and sources
  • Discussion of energy efficiency and conservation
  • Connections between energy, electricity, and natural gas
  • Renewable energy sources and solutions

Participants will receive:

  • A stipend for participants who live in Spire or Liberty Utilities territory
  • Digital copies of all lesson activities and energy curriculum
  • Energy science toolkit to get started bringing lessons to life in their classroom—virtual workshop participants should register at least one month prior to the workshop to receive kit in advance

Check if you live in Spire or Liberty Utilities territory using the Missouri Utility Locator.

 

2024 Workshops

The following workshops are sponsored by Spire.*

Spire logo

  • June 11 and 12; 9–11:30 a.m. daily
    Virtual; hosted on Zoom
    Register
  • June 20; 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
    Commerce Bank Center for Science Education, St. Louis, MO
    Register
  • July 24; 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
    Anita B. Gorman Conservation Center, Kansas City, MO
    Register

*Participants must either live or work in Spire territory to qualify for stipend and energy science toolkit.

The following workshops are sponsored by Liberty Utilities.**

Liberty logo

  • June 13; 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
    HOMEBANK Community Room, Hannibal, MO
    Register
  • July 23; 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
    Bates County Museum, Butler, MO
    Register
  • July 30 and 31; 9–11:30 a.m. daily
    Virtual; hosted on Zoom
    Register
  • August 1; 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
    Southeast Missouri Regional Professional Development Center, Cape Girardeau, MO
    Register

**Participants must either live or work in Liberty Utilities territory to qualify for stipend and energy science toolkit.

 

FAQs

Who should attend?
Educators from formal or informal setting with an interest in learning more about teaching energy topics including efficiency, renewable energy sources and sustainability. Activities covered throughout the workshop are aligned to support meeting state standards and designed to be scaled to a variety of grade levels.

I attended last year, should I attend again?
YES! We would love to have you back—you can share your experiences teaching about energy with the lessons, help others learn more and more. We will also be introducing new lessons and discussion topics to help you continue to build your skills as an energy efficiency educator.

 

Virtual Workshop FAQs

Is this workshop going to be one big lecture? 
Absolutely not! We've come up with several activities to get participants moving and interacting with each other and their environment. We'll showcase some creative ways you can engage with students either in the classroom or virtually with energy lessons.

Will I need anything to participate?
Our activities are designed to be flexible and if supplies are needed, they will be supplies found in most homes or supplies found in your kit. Please register at least one month in advance to guarantee you receive your energy kit by the workshop. There will be no required supplies so if you don't have something—don't worry you can still participate!

When will I receive my energy kit?
If you register at least four weeks before your workshop, you will receive your energy kit before the workshop. This will allow you to use the materials during the hands-on activities. If you register less than four weeks before the workshop, you will receive your kit after the workshop.