Date: June 17, 2026
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Type: In-Person
Location: Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Ext. Center
455 Research Drive
Mills River, NC 28759
Fee: Free
**NOTE: We have a No Refund policy for our WRESA courses. However, you
are welcome to send a colleague in your place. Contact Richard Gabriel
at rgabriel@wresa.org if you need to change the name of the person
attending.
CEUs: 5 Contact Hours
Limit: 40 Participants
Audience: 6-12 classroom teachers, STEM educators and instructional coaches,
Curriculum specialists, and Administrators interested in
sustainability and STEM integration
What to Bring: Your own device
Summary:
Discover how buildings, homes, and everyday systems can bring energy efficiency concepts to life for grades 6–12 students. Educators will engage in hands-on investigations, tour a LEED-certified building, and leave with practical, standards-aligned Switch Classroom lessons ready for the classroom.
Description:
Is your school or district looking for engaging, hands-on ways to teach energy concepts while meeting 6-12 science standards? Join us for a full-day professional learning workshop focused on energy efficiency, building science, and real-world STEM applications using Switch Classroom lessons and investigations.
Participants will explore the science of energy efficiency through interactive instruction, a tour of a LEED-certified building, and classroom-ready investigations that can be adapted for middle and high school learners. This turnkey experience connects science standards to authentic, place-based learning and provides practical ideas educators can take back to their classrooms.
Workshop Agenda (Tentative):
- 9:00 – 11:00am
Introduction to Energy Efficiency & the Science Behind It
- 11:00am – 1:30pm
Tour of a LEED-certified building, followed by lunch
(Participants will drive themselves; the tour will occur immediately before lunch.)
- 1:30 – 3:00pm
Hands-on Energy Efficiency Projects & Investigations:
- Innovative Building Design Research Project
- Family Energy Awareness Challenge / Home Electricity Audit
- Investigating Passive Solar Heating Lab
If you have additional questions, contact Michelle Taylor at mtbenign@ncsu.edu or Ruthann McComb at mccombr@gmail.comEEEG
REGISTRATION COMING SOON!