Teachers and students will bring workshop knowledge back to the classroom

For Immediate Release: February 13, 2013

LAS VEGAS –Teachers participate in classroom-like activities at GreenPower workshop Local teachers had the chance to step in the classroom for the day at the 5th Annual GreenPower Teacher Training workshop at the Desert Research Institute on Saturday, Feb. 9th. 

Amelia Gulling, GreenPower’s Administrator has worked extensively to get new participation rates from teachers valley-wide. “I’m thrilled so many teachers wanted to participate,” Gulling said. “It was great that 80 percent of attendees were actually new to the training.” 

Around 50 teachers attended the event participating in STEM focused workshops, learning about composting, and even making recycled jewelry. Nearly twenty students also attended this GreenPower workshop day. Students and teachers had the opportunity to work together in the conference to join in on the first ever Student/Teacher Recycling Ambassador Program Training. Attendees learned how to efficiently implement recycling into their schools and classrooms. NV Energy shows off electric cars to teachers

Michael Schaffer, a fourth grade teacher at Roundy Elementary says participating in the overall event gave him the opportunity to learn about projects related to science. “To be in an environment with science and learning about science will help provide activities to help open my students’ eyes to more possibilities,” Schaffer said. 

One of the training highlights was NV Energy and GreenPower’s partnership in hosting an electric car demonstration where teachers had the chance to take a ride in one of the electric cars. “It’s exciting to bring our amazing community partners together to showcase and share the opportunities out there for our educators,” Gulling said. 

Teachers learn how to make recycled jewelry and accessories Schaffer says when teachers have the discipline to learn more in their trade then they can also bring this discipline back to the classroom. “It’s about teaching students discipline and respect in the classroom,” Schaffer said. “Going to these trainings will help to bring the right knowledge back for students to be disciplined.” 

Through a community collaborative environment, GreenPower was able to offer this workshop for teachers and students for free. Overall, it will give teachers a day of in-service training to take knowledge back to their classrooms, while the students involved will get a certificate for participating. 

GreenPower specifically is a nonprofit that has established a partnership between DRI and NV Energy. They strive to help Nevada’s K-12 educators teach their students about renewable energy, conservation, and sustainability. 

Amelia Gulling, GreenPower’s Administrator shows off compostingAbout GreenPower: GreenPower is designed to promote and support the education of Nevada’s preK-12 students about environmental and climate topics by providing schools and educators free professional development, trainings, and workshops as well as grants, scholarships, and curriculum activities that meet state core standards. To “Like” GreenPower’s Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/#!/DRIgreenpower

About the Desert Research Institute: DRI, the nonprofit research campus of the Nevada System of Higher Education strives to be the world leader in environmental sciences through the application of knowledge and technologies to improve people’s lives throughout Nevada and the world.