2011 Summer Institute for Educators

About the 2011 Solar Schoolhouse Summer Institute: Educators attending this summer seminar will learn about the science and history of heating, cooling and powering our homes with the Sun. Participants will build solar cookers, model passive solar homes, solar electric fountains, and conduct energy audits. We will visit the raHUS Solar Home powered with alternative energy sources. In addition to learning the science of proper building design (e.g. thermodynamics, electricity, seasonal changes) and how to fit these exercises into your curriculum, participants will walk away with practical knowledge that they can apply in their own lives. Integrating solar energy education into your curriculum can provide an element of excitement and hope for the future.

Teachers attending the 2010 Summer Institute display their 'steampunk' custom solar modules and Solar Powered Lunch Boxes.

When: July 10-15, 2011 @ Walker Creek Ranch (near Petaluma, CA)

Flier for Summer Institute 2011[pdf]

Outline & Syllabus for the Weeklong Session 2011 [pdf]

Application SIE11 [pdf]....Application SIE11 [WORD]

[view flash-based slide show with highlights from previous Summer Institutes]

Read about summer institute 2010 experience as reported in Press Democrat [pdf]

Read about the summer institute '07 experience as reported in Santa Barbara News Press(pdf)

Read about the Summer Institute experience from 2004 (as reported in Mountain Democrat) pdf

Summer Institute participants celebrate the solar fountain designed and built at Sly Park during the weeklong session. Goldminer pans were used (Right) to create the unique waterfall. Future students visiting Sly Park will be able to interact with the solar panel,
experiencing the effects of shading, orientation and tilt angle.

Solar cookers made of cardboard, foil, and plastic window reaches 300F[left]. Teachers ready their solar cars for takeoff. [right]

When:
July 10-15, 2011 -Location: Walker Creek Ranch - 1700 Marshall/Petaluma Road - Petaluma, California 94952 .
[Do Not Contact Walker Creek about lodging & logistics]

Check-in Lodging [Walker Creek Ranch]: Sunday, July 10th after 4 pm...
.Seminar: July 10- 7pm to July 15th 1pm.
Accomodations: Lodging and all meals are included (Dinner off-site one night).
Cabins with beds. Bring your own sleeping bag or blankets and sheets.
Download the Walker Creek Guest Information packet [5MBpdf]

Seminar Costs: The $1450 registration fee includes all meals, lodging and classroom and conference materials. Travel is not included in the registration fee.
Professional Development Credits: We've arranged for Continuing Education Units through California State University Sacramento. Educators will be able to earn 3 CEUs. Sign up onsite.

Sponsors: Rahus is managing sponsorships for educators from schools served by the following electric utilities: City of Lodi Electric Utility Department, Glendale Water & Power, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU), and Silicon Valley Power (City of Santa Clara), Redding Electric Utility, City of Biggs, Turlock Irrigation District (TID), City of San Jose (Solar America City), and others.. Additional sponsorships may be available for educators in other areas of the state. Fill out the application to request a sponsorship and we will attempt to connect you with a sponsorship in timely fashion so you can firm up summer plans.

Summer Institute Sponsorships: We are actively seeking additional sponsors for the summer institute. Please contact Tor Allen at 707-829-3154 or tor@rahus.org about sponsoring a teacher in your area. Equipment donations are also welcome. $1450 pays for one teacher to attend the Summer Institute. Your contribution allows us to provide sponsorships to proactive educators from throughout California, regardless of their location. Thanks for your Support!

Sponsorship Application: Download this Application SIE11 [pdf]....Application SIE11 [WORD] to apply for a sponsorship to attend the Summer Institute. A limited number of sponsorships are available. Fill out the form, fax it back (707-277-3003) - We'll notify you within 2 weeks of receiving your application if a sponsorship is available for you.
Also, if we are unable to connect you with a sponsorship, you might check with your school (district) about any available funding. Call Dena @ (925) 408-7208 or email dena@rahus.org to check for space availability and arrange for payment.

Important Dates
Registration Deadline: June 21, 2010
Check-in Lodging [Walker Creek Ranch]: Sunday, July 10th after 4 pm....Seminar: July 10- 7pm to July 15th 1pm.

About Solar Schoolhouse - SSh is a K-12 energy education program developed by The Rahus Institute, a non-profit 501c organization. The program uses the sun as a starting point for teaching about energy resources, conservation, and other energy topics. Elements include teacher workshops, educational kits, and special projects.

Teachers at Brawley High School conduct a series of electricity labs using the Solar Power Monitor and kilowatt-hour meters for conducting energy efficiency labs in Fall 2002

Solar Schoolhouse Background information:

Presentation at Solar Forum September 05[pdf - large file 3.5MB - download or opens in new browser] Direct Current in the Classroom - Vocational Connections in k12 Schools

Presentation at Solar Forum Feb 2005 [pdf - large file 2.7MB - download or opens in new browser] Updates from 2004-05 program.

Presentation at ASES 2003 in Austin Texas [pdf - large file 1.5 MB - download or opens in new browser] "An integrated approach to Solar Energy Education". Includes slides from 5 recent school projects. Main message is that there is more to a successful solar energy education project than just putting a panel on the roof. Bring it in the classroom also.

Presentation at Solar Forum 11/03 [pdf - large file 5MB - download or opens in new browser] An Integrated approach to Solar Energy Education.

Presentation at Solar Forum 10/02 [pdf - large file 2 MB - download or opens in new browser]

Paper presented at ASES solar Conference Reno, NV June 2002 [500 kB pdf]

Walden West Outdoor Environmental Education School installs PV system and integrates solar curriculum

In Action: Solar hydrogen fuel cell (left), solar fan intrigue(middle), and pumping water with the sun (right)