About the 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 cars/fountains, and conduct energy audits. We will visit several local low-energy, solar buildings to see these designs in practice. 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.

Hal conducts a workshop at the Environmental & Outdoor Educators conference in Yosemite (Fall 2002), while two teachers race their solar car creations at a recent workshop in Lodi.

Instructors: Tor Allen and Hal Aronson, of The Rahus Institute - Solar Schoolhouse
Guest speaker: John Perlin, author of "From Space to Earth - the Story of Solar Electricity"

Instructors Hal Aronson (left) and Tor Allen (right)

When: July 14-17, 2003
Location: Santa Barbara County Office of Education - 4400 Cathedral Oaks Rd, Santa Barbara CA 93160
Lodging: UC Santa Barbara - Manzanita Village.

Seminar Costs: The $950 registration fee includes most meals, lodging (double occupancy) and classroom and conference materials. Single room surcharge is $130. $750 registration fee if no lodging is required. Travel is not included in the registration fee.
Because the conference is activity-filled, participants wishing to tour the local Santa Barbara area should plan to arrive early or extend their stay. Anyone wishing to do so will be offered the seminar room rate, but will be responsible for making your own arrangements for the extra days via UCSB Manzanita Village guest housing . Best to book early. Reference the "Rahus - Solar Energy Education Workshop" on form.

Online Credit Card payment option

Sponsors

The following organizations are sponsoring educators from their community. If you are an educator from one of the following schools or school districts, please contact the sponsor directly with your interest.

Summer Institute Sponsorships: We are actively seeking additional sponsors for the summer institute. Please contact Tor Allen at 925-370-7262 or tor@rahus.org about sponsoring a teacher in your area. Equipment donations are also welcome.

To Register: Download this form [pdf] (or just click on the link to open). If you teach in one of the local sponsor areas listed above, check with the listed contact to express your interest and about sponsorship availability. A limited number of sponsorhips are available. Fill out the form, and have your sponsor contact person fax it back (815-461-1465). If your school is not located in one of the sponsor areas above, check with your school district for professional development funding. If you would like to attend, but do not have a sponsor, complete the enclosed registration form and indicate that you need a sponsor. Rahus will try to connect you with available sponsorship. Registration deadline is June 27, 2003.

Professional Development Credits - 2 semester professional development credits are available from UC Santa Barbara Extension for $70. Sign up for this option onsite.

Important Dates
Registration Deadline: June 27th, 2003
Check-in Lodging: Sunday, July 13th.4 pm
Seminar: July 14th 8:30am to July 17th noon.

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 (SSh) and kilowatt-hour meters for conducting energy efficiency labs in Fall 2002

Solar Schoolhouse Background information:

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)

Workshop Spring 2003: PV as a Learning Tool

Emery High Solar Mural Project Winter/Spring 2003

SSh in Palo Alto - Ohlone and Gunn Schools

Lincoln Middle School (Alameda) PV installation and curriculum

Questions? Contact Tor Allen at 925-370-7262 or schoolinfo@solarschoolhouse.org