 |
For Teachers
For Students
Quick Links
Coming Soon
- Data Networks
- Quizzes
- Games
- Wind Geeks
- Fact Sheets
- Turbines at Your School
- Complete PDF List
WindSenator Training 2010
Hudson Valley CC, TEC-SMART Center, August 2-7, 2010, Albany, NY
The WindSenator training program will be held in August 2-7, 2010 in Malta, New York at the TEC-SMART facility, which is a part of the Hudson Valley Community College.
Register (Fax PDF)The WindSenator Education Network
The WindWise Education program has a goal of creating a nationwide network of WindSenators. WindSenators are trainers certified to provide trainings and represent WindWise and KidWind at conferences and events. The WindSenators Education Network will provide states with knowledgeable, experienced wind energy educators that can help others get the tools and information they need to teach students and the public about wind energy.
The WindSenators training program is designed for educators interested in becoming part of the WindSenators Education Network. NYSERDA has provided full funding for six New York State teachers to attend the training and receive a stipend for attendance.
The 2010 WindSenators training program will have 24 additional spots open for qualified educators who are interested in becoming a part of the network. This training is a fantastic opportunity to become an expert on bringing wind energy to life in K-12 classrooms using a wide array of curricula and educational materials.
Training Overview
The six-day training provides hands on instruction about wind energy science and technology using a variety of subjects (physics, technology, biology, earth and environmental science) and includes in depth training on WindWise and KidWind materials and curricula. There will also be a number of guest speakers from the wind industry, and tours of local wind facilities. Existing WindSenators will be available to talk about the program.
What can a WindSenator do?
WindSenators are an integral part of the WindWise and KidWind programs.
A WindSenator:
- Provides wind energy teacher trainings in their state or region
- Purchases Kidwind Project products at reduced prices
- Participates in the development of new wind energy curriculum and materials
- Sponsors KidWind Challenge and other events in their state
- Represents WindWise and KidWind at conferences and events
- Receives a stipend for their work
Fees
The cost for non-NYS teachers to attend the training is $2500. The fee does not cover travel to and from the training location to Albany, NY. Applicants who are accepted from New York State will attend for free and be paid $750 stipend. Teachers from outside of New York State will not receive a stipend.
Fees cover:
- Lodging & Food (Breakfast/Lunch)
- 6 Days of Training
- Full set of WindWise Curriculum Materials
- Full Kit of KidWind & WindWise Training Materials
Application
There is an application process for all attendees. Interested teachers can apply beginning January 15, 2010. Check back at www.windwiseeducation.org or www.kidwind.org for more details on applying and application deadlines. You can download an application here.
Sponsoring A WindSenator
Companies and organizations can sponsor teachers to attend the training program and become part of the WindSenators Education Network. Having a trainer in your area provides you with access to an trained educator that can offer WindWise teacher training events near your wind facilities or manufacturing plants at greatly reduced rate. Please contact us for more details on how to have your company sponsor teachers from your state or region.
If you have any questions about the program, please contact Michael Arquin of KidWind at michael(at)kidwind.org or call (651) 325 8149.
WindWise Education is a partnership of the KidWind Project and Pandion Systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the most frequently asked questions about the WindSenator program. Click on each question to read our response.
I am not from NY, any ideas for funding?
We are working on a number of funding opportunities from wind energy companies and other agencies in as many states as we can find. Sometimes we are more successful than others.
Some of the states we are working toward or have secured funding from are Colorado, South Dakota, Indiana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, North Carolina, New Mexico, and Alaska.
If you are from those or any other states and you come we recommend you put an application in if you are at all interested. It is not that hard and we may actually land some scholarship funds from your state in the next few months.
If you are resourceful you can also try asking your local PTA, wind power developer or power company in your area. They are often open to these events and while they may not cover all costs they may make a sizable donation to your cause.
If you are from one of the states above and want more information on the opportunities available for funding please contact michael(at)kidwind.org.
Why so expensive?
$2500 covers all your lodging and food for the week. You also walk with close to $1000 worth of gear. Plus we've got tours, busses. I personally assure you are getting deal at $2500 - if you think otherwise I will refund your cash.
You will have a partner for life in wind energy education and outreach. As part of the KidWind/WindWise team you will get to play with all the new prototypes and help design new wind energy kits. You will also be able to hold WindWise trainings and KidWind Challenges in your state and this work is always paid.
Why should I sponsor a Wind Senator?
Are you a wind company thinking of sponsoring some teachers from your area? That would be some real forward thinking on your part, as you would get a friend for life when it comes to doing wind energy outreach to students and teachers in your area.
Sponsorship of teachers to this event will also help you get cheaper pricing when it comes to holding teachers trainings and other events in your area. The simple reason is we do not have to send out staff to you to get things done... they are right in your backyard and you can be assured that they are well trained.
We promise that $2500 investment will be one of the better ones you have made in a while. If you are interested in sponsor teachers from your state or region contact Michael Arquin at michael(at)kidwind.org or 651-325-8149. I'd love to work with you to get this going!
How can I sponsor a WindSenator from my state or region?
That would be GREAT!
If you want information on the details contact Michael Arquin at michael(at)kidwind.org or 651-325-8149. We can set up a variety methods so you can be assured that the sponsorship is targeted in an area where you are doing business or have wind energy facilities.
Why is this in NY? Could you do this somewhere else?
Many of the costs for this event are covered by a grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). We are charged with training 6-8 NYS teachers but have opened it to teachers outside of New York as there is great interest from a number of states.
We are also thinking of doing training somewhere else in the US in 2011, if we can swing the logistics and funding. Stay tuned...
Is there anything else to do in NY where this is held?
We are in the Saratoga/Adirondack region of NYS. It is really nice there this time of year in fact thousands of people vacation here every summer. Learn more here >>
Why are you the experts?
KidWind has been doing wind energy education and classroom wind turbine kit development for the better part of six years. To be honest it is all we do, I wake up thinking about how to improve K-12 wind energy education and go to bed thinking about the same thing.
Many of the wind energy curricula that have appeared over the last 2-3 years have our stamp on it. If we have not done it... we know where to find it. Seriously, we have done it all.