"Enhancing the Next
Generation with Photo-Voltaics"
Project Initiator: Dr. Frank Vignola, Department of Physics,
University of Oregon
Description: The proposed Photovoltaic Science Experiments Curriculum (PSEC) is designed not
only to capture a student's innate enthusiasm and inspire their boundless
imagination for science but uses the basic principles of an exciting
sustainable energy technology for the inspiration. This project will refine and develop
the Photovoltaic Science Experiments Curriculum (PSEC) kits. The curriculum and kits will then be used as
take-home labs in future Solar and Renewable Energies (PHYS 162) courses. PSEC
curriculum will be made available on the UO SRML Website and papers will be
presented at national conferences to discuss the finding from the project. Labs using the PSEC kits will be adapted into
the current curricula with the help of a graduate student acting in a GK-12
Fellow-like capacity will disseminate this project in other areas of the
state. A professional development
workshop for teachers inviting the PSEC curriculum into their classrooms will
be offered during a statewide teacher in-service day during winter, 2009.
Additionally, the project entails excerpting the curricula and developing
additional materials to be taught as part of the Electric Vehicle/Solar
Challenge curricula currently sponsored by the Eugene Water and Electric Board
in over 60 area middle school classrooms.
"Enhancing Labor Efforts to
Address Climate Change"
Project Initiator: Barbara Byrd, Labor Education Research
Center (LERC), University of Oregon
Description: LERC's faculty and
partners plan to develop a climate change curriculum for union leaders and core
activists so that they can prepare their rank and file to fill green collar
jobs. A shorter version of the curriculum will be targeted at a broader range
of rank and file members, who need a basic education on the science of climate
change, the economics of policy proposals, and effective techniques for forging
proposals that make sense in the current budget environment. The project will
include an initial pilot training session with local unions.
"Junior Climate Stewards"
Project Initiator: Rob Ribe
& Bob Doppelt, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, University of
Oregon
Description: The Junior Climate Stewards program is a new youth focused climate change
outreach program to be piloted in Lane County and potentially across Oregon.
The program will build on the successes of two existing programs: Climate
Leadership Initiative's award winning Climate Master Program and OSU
Extension's award winning Wildlife Stewards program. The partnership supports
youth and adult community members in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and
increasing energy efficiency. This
program will strengthen community ties, as the trained volunteers will be
coordinating services and outreach for multiple local entities.
"Zero-Sum Gained: Moving Our
Existing Building Stock Toward Net Energy Equilibrium"
Project
Initiator: Donald Corner, Department of Architecture, University of Oregon
Description: The project will establish
a case reference base that will guide the rehabilitation of existing buildings
toward a balance of energy demand and production - or net-zero-energy.
Outstanding energy retrofit strategies will be collected and analyzed in
relation to the specific building types they best serve. An evaluative
framework will be developed to guide reinvestment decisions. A second objective
is to extend the leadership position enjoyed by the University of Oregon and
its partners by opening a new domain of research in energy efficiency and
sustainable building design.
"Spreading Sustainability: How
Science-Based Solutions Move to Broad Practice"
Project Initiator: Andrew
Nelson, Lundquist College of Business, University of Oregon
Description: The project team
aims to develop a model for understanding the processes through which
university-based sustainability research and education influences industry and
policy. They will create a replicable
set of tools for visualizing and communicating the dissemination and impact of
such research and education, as well as practical guidance for scholars on the
most effective channels for transferring research and education innovations to
academic (e.g. research universities, community colleges) and non-academic
audiences. Additionally, they will develops practical guidance for funders,
public policy makers, and industry members regarding the most effective levers
for translating university-based research and education innovation into
practical sustainability solutions.
"Workforce Water Efficiency Training Teams"
Project
Initiator: Roger Ebbage, Lane Community College
Description: This project addresses the economic, social and environmental challenges of
water scarcity and climate change through the creation and distribution of water auditing tools. These tools will be
used by teachers and students to increase water efficiency in residential and
K12 settings. Partners include the Lane Community College Water Conservation
Technician (WCT) degree program, the University of Oregon Climate Leadership
Initiative's Climate Master Program and Kennedy High School. The project
harnesses an innovative model of community- and campus-based service learning,
peer teaching and free online resources.
