Transcript energy education activities and evergreen

ENERGY EDUCATION
ACTIVITIES
AT EVERGREEN
CEREL Energy Education Webinar
John H Perkins, PhD
24 September 2009
Overview
1970s – 1990s, Energy Systems, taught by physics
faculty
2007, 2009: Energy Matters, an overview of the US
energy economy and its current changes
2007: Chernobyl and Ukraine, an overview of
nuclear power with field trip to Chernobyl site in
Ukraine
Ongoing: Energy Policy in MPA; Energy Systems
and Climate Change for undergraduates
2009: “Energy Group,” mixed faculty discussion
group
2008 – 2009: Pilot Survey of energy education in the
liberal arts colleges (report available)
Energy Systems
Full-time for three quarters (48 quarter
credit hours)
Emphasized thermodynamics and other
important physical concepts and math
Mixed theory (physics) with practice
(practical projects on energy)
Taught by physics faculty
Energy Matters
Full time for 1 quarter (16 quarter credit hours)
Emphasized concept of energy economy using
energy flow charts (see next slide)
Mixed physical concepts of energy with ways of
assessing & comparing different sources and
new technology
Taught by biologist – environmental historian
Provide liberal arts & science students a
framework for understanding energy
Energy Flow Chart
(Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory)
Chernobyl and Ukraine
Summer quarter class in environmental studies:
4 credits (graduate) or 8 credits (undergraduate)
Emphasized assessment of safety of nuclear
power
3 weeks US; 2 weeks Ukraine; visit to site
Taught by biologist – environmental historian
(US) and environmental project engineer
(Ukrainian; Evergreen graduate alumna)
Grant request pending: professional education
Ongoing Offerings
Energy Policy
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4-credit course, offered in summer
Open to graduate students in public administration
Faculty: public administration
Also open to graduate students in environmental
studies and undergraduates
Energy Systems and Climate Change
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32-credit program, two quarters, Fall – Winter 2009
Faculty: physics, political science
Undergraduate only
Will it become firmly established at Evergreen?
The “Energy Group”
Informal collection of Evergreen faculty
Meet 1 – 2 times per year
Disciplines: physics, geography, public
administration, biology – environmental history,
political science
Has yet to produce a change in Evergreen’s
curriculum
Graduate Program on Environment plans to
enlarge treatment of energy for students seeking
professional career in environmental affairs
Pilot Survey
Liberal arts colleges affiliated with CEDD
Telephone interviews (~ 1 hour each)
Responses: 23 colleges
Major findings: High enthusiasm & Interest, but…
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Coherent philosophy lacking
Curriculum limited
Barriers between departments
Shortage of faculty personnel
Presidents don’t understand academic need
Lack of contact with non-academic professionals
Insufficient advising of students on career pathways
Basis for expanding work through CEDD
Questions?
More Information:
John H Perkins, PhD
Member of the Faculty Emeritus
The Evergreen State College
Olympia, WA 98505
360-867-5501
[email protected]