ATEEC - Your Source for Energy Education

ATEEC Sports a New Address

2011-08-18T10:42:00.006-06:00

ATEEC has moved into the first floor of the Mississippi Plaza professional building in downtown Davenport.

ATEEC’s interactive learning lab opens in August
with stations for exploring alternative energy,
such as solar and wind power, biomass and thermal management.

Set a date to visit us soon.

Advanced Technology
Environmental and Energy Center
201 N. Harrison Street, Suite 101
Davenport, IA 52801

Phone numbers and Web site address remain the same.

563.441.4081 Fax: 563.441.441.4080
www.ateec.org - 866.419.6761

Help us grow the eERL Digital Collection

2010-11-22T13:39:00.006-06:00

ATEEC (www.ateec.org) is looking for environmental and energy specialists and educators to vet (review) materials for the electronic Environmental and Energy Resources Library (www.eerl.org). A small stipend is available. If interested, contact Lora Kaisler, Library Coordinator, at lkaisler@eicc.edu.

Professional Development Opportunity for 9-12 Science Teachers

2010-11-16T09:12:00.002-06:00

We are excited to announce a field-test opportunity for grade 9-12 science teachers!

Scientific studies of land, atmosphere, oceans, and ice caps show that Earth's climate is changing. To understand these changes, BSCS, in conjunction with Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB), is developing Carbon Connections, an online module to help students better understand the carbon cycle and the science of Earth's climate. The materials investigate carbon in past, present, and future contexts. The project, generously supported by NASA, consists of three interactive, internet-based units, combined with hands-on investigations.

The field test will take place April through June 2011, with an estimated teaching time of 3-4 weeks. Carbon Connections targets high school Biology (General, Honors, IB, or AP Biology) classes but would also be highly relevant for Earth Sciences or Environmental Sciences classes.

The goals of this three-unit module are to increase

* teacher and student understanding of the carbon cycle, systems-thinking, and climate science,
* understanding of photosynthesis and respiration in a global perspective,
* students' inquiry skills as they explore and interpret cutting-edge data from NASA and other scientists,
* student interest in science and careers in related STEM fields,
* student understanding of the vital role of NASA in monitoring Earth systems, and
* the ability of student-citizens to make decisions about contemporary issues in science.

Teachers and students are valuable, critical friends and help us design and improve programs like Carbon Connections. Teachers like you are key partners in the development process by helping us test what works in high school science classrooms—and what will benefit future teachers and students. Due to the online nature of the new materials, participating teachers will need computer and Internet access at school to complete most of the 15 lessons.

If you are a primary field-test teacher, you agree to attend a one-day field-test orientation in March 2011 (in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Portland, Oregon; or Orlando, Florida), teach the three units in Carbon Connections, complete brief surveys about the activities, and welcome project visitors to your classroom. You will receive a $500 stipend for your participation.

If you are a secondary field-test teacher, the materials will be available for you to test without attending the field-test orientations. Secondary teachers may choose to teach only 1 or 2 units, but still need to apply. Secondary field-test teachers give us valuable information about the usability of the materials for teachers who have not received professional development on the module.

The completed units will include video clips of teachers using select lessons. This is key support for future teachers using Carbon Connections. During the field test, an additional $500 per day is available for a subset of teachers who allow our team to visit and video their classroom while using the lessons.

If you are interested in field-testing Carbon Connections visit www.bscs.org/carbonconnections for additional information and to complete the application. The field-test application deadline is 17 December 2010. Applicants will be contacted about the field test in mid-January 2011.

If you have questions about the Carbon Connections field test, please contact BSCS Science Educator Steve Getty, 719.219.4148, or BSCS Science Educator Elaine Howes, 719.219.4163.

The Carbon Connections Team
5415 Mark Dabling Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
719.531.5550
info@BSCS.org
www.BSCS.org

Al Gore to Host Global Online Town Hall on Math and Science Education

2010-11-09T11:44:00.000-06:00

On November 17, 2010, at 12 p.m. ET, Time Warner Cable (TWC) will host a live interactive online town hall called “Math, Science and the Future of Our Nation,” hosted by former Vice President Al Gore. The town hall will connect young people from the U.S. with students from around the world, and include two internationally known science and technology leaders—inventor Dean Kamen and astronaut Sally Ride. The discussion will focus on attitudes among American youth toward math and science, and how to inspire and motivate them so they will be successful in a competitive global marketplace.

Members of the public can join the town hall online, where they can also submit live video questions and comments from anywhere in the world in real time. Simultaneous “viewing parties” are also being planned in 16 TWC markets across the country. Connect a Million Minds (CAMM) is TWC’s philanthropic initiative involving science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

For more information, please visit www.connectamillionminds.com.

2011 ATEEC Fellows Institute

2010-11-09T09:01:00.011-06:00

The Advanced Technology Environmental and Energy Center (ATEEC) announces that applications are open for the 17th Annual ATEEC Fellows Institute. June 21 to July 1, 2011 at Itasca Biological Station (a University of Minnesota facility), in Itasca State Park, Minnesota.

Download ATEEC Fellows Application
Applications due by January 15, 2011.

The ATEEC Fellows Institute is offered under a grant by the National Science Foundation and is developed through a partnership of the University of Northern Iowa, Eastern Iowa Community College District, and the Partnership for Environmental Technology Education (PETE). High school and two-year college science, math, and technology teachers from across the U.S. are invited to apply.

Up to twenty (20) teachers will be selected to attend, with the following expenses covered: travel, lodging, study materials, and tuition.* Fellows will be responsible for costs associated with meals and other incidental expenses.

2011 Institute Theme
Bioremediation - Can the environment clean itself?

ATEEC Fellows Outcomes

Participants will examine current knowledge and practice in this field and identify emerging trends. Based on their examination of the theme, the 2011 ATEEC Fellows will design problem-based educational activities that emphasize opportunities for student learning not only globally but also within the context of their communities. The activities, which will support national science, math, and technology education standards, will be offered as free downloads to all teachers via www.ateec.org.

UNI students at the Lake Itasca headwaters of the Mississippi River(University of Northern Iowa, 2010)

Cabins at the Itasca Biological Station (Itasca Biological Station, 2010)

ATEEC Fellows Institute Contacts

Please note that late or incomplete applications may not receive full consideration. Contact Diane Gere (diane.gere@gmail.com or dgere@eicc.edu) with questions about the application process.

For inquiries about Fellows Institute content and processes, contact Professor Maureen Clayton at maureen.clayton@uni.edu.

*Two graduate credits

(Note: The University of Northern Iowa can only award graduate credit to Fellows who have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.)

2009 ATEEC Fellows Announced!

2008-11-17T13:40:00.007-06:00

The Advanced Technology Environmental and Energy Center (ATEEC)announced the 15th annual professional development workshop to be held at the University of Northern Iowa from June 14 - 23, 2009.

The theme of this year's institute will be "Wind Power." All math and science instructors from 2 year colleges and high schools are encourage to apply.

Application deadline is February 2, 2009.

Learn more and apply today.

Tribal Colleges Apply for Technical Assistance through ATEEC and PETE

2008-10-23T15:09:00.011-06:00

The Partnership for Environmental Technology Education has announced the call for Tribal Colleges to apply for technical assistance through a National Science Foundation grant to strengthen environmental science programs at our nation's Tribal Colleges.

The grant is in its second year and has already provided assistance to three Tribal Colleges. Year two has started and they are asking for more Tribal Colleges to apply.

Learn more or apply at the PETE NSF Tribal College website

ATEEC Releases New Google Earth Virtual Field Trips

2008-08-19T12:38:00.011-06:00

The Advanced Technology Environmental and Energy Center (ATEEC) releases seven new virtual field trip activities today. Building on last year's ATEEC Fellows Institute, attendees (environmental science instructors from high school and two year colleges) flew to Alaska again to explore fossil fuels and alternative fuel options there.

Utilizing another one of ATEEC's products, An Illustrated Guide to Creating Virtual Field Trips Using FREE Google Services, instructors learned how to build virtual field trips with nothing more than a GPS unit, digital camera and camcorder. This was done through the use of FREE Google tools such as Google Earth, Blogger and YouTube. Teachers who utilize these tools can capitalize on student technology skills while still engaging them in the outside world through GPS and GIS. Imagine giving an assignment to students that asks them to create a virtual field trip and present it to the class. How many higher learning skills are being captured there - (experience, design, development, presentation) all while bridging the real and digital world.

The ATEEC Fellows Institute is a professional development workshop for faculty and is a joint effort by both the University of Northern Iowa and ATEEC. Offering new skills to environmental and energy instructors allows them to take these types of experiences back to their classroom and engage their students more. It plays a role in getting students more interested in math and science.

Ken Walz, a chemistry and engineering instructor at the Madison Area Technical College had this to say, "Thanks again for a really great experience. I think I can speak for both Russ and myself that we learned a ton of new tech skills that we did not have previously, and certainly came away with a lot more knowledge about the petroleum industry and renewable energy in general. Since this was my first experience with ATEEC Fellows, I should also note that I was very impressed with the program. I will definitely recommend your work to others..."

The final products created by the 2008 ATEEC Fellows are visually stunning, classroom ready and are downloadable from the ATEEC website at www.ateec.org Teachers guides for each Google Earth virtual field trip are also included.

To learn more about the ATEEC Fellows or to be a part of it next year, check out the ATEEC Fellows website.

2008 ATEEC Fellows are listed below.

- Marlene Morales
- Tom Pederson
- DJ Jin
- Karen Merritt
- Roy Sofield
- Michael Marchiondo
- Laurie Trotta
- Suzanne Banas
- Ken Walz
- Kevin King
- Susan Wingate
- Louis LaPierre
- Wendy Lawton
- Catherine Ryan
- Russel Smith
- Roger Everhart (Fellows Mentor)
- Jeff Newmeister (Fellows Mentor)

ATEEC Fellows Build Virtual Field Trips about Energy and Environmental Topics

2008-07-08T08:54:00.014-06:00

While many teachers take summers off to wind down and get ready for the next year, a rare breed of other faculty kick off their summer through an intense but fun workshop. The 2008 ATEEC Fellows Institute held their 14th annual workshop in Alaska for the second year. The theme this year- "Fueling the Future."

Fellows attended various lectures and field trips focused around energy, climate, sustainability, fossil fuel usage and transportation in Alaska. Alaska's vast resources have long been a topic of controversy regarding U.S. energy and environmental issues.

The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) conducts the professional development workshop each year in conjunction with ATEEC. This year, we also partnered with the University of Alaska Fairbanks to utlize their expertise and services. The mission is to bring environmental, science, and math faculty from across the nation together to learn about hot environmental topics and discuss new teaching strategies that they can share with other instructors and students across the nation.

This years innovative teaching strategy was focused on the use of virtual field trips utilizing free Google services such as Google Earth, Blogger, and YouTube. ATEEC Fellows learned how to create virtual field trips with the use of GPS, digital cameras, and video equipment. Instructors used the ATEEC "Illustrated Guide to Creating Virtual Field Trips" product to help learn the process. The Fellows were split into groups to complete their projects based on various energy or environmentally related topics.

The result will be six new ATEEC virtual field trip activities that other instructors across the nation can use in their classroom. Look for them in the coming months.

Interested in applying for the ATEEC Fellows Institute next year? Check out our website at www.ateec.org for new information.

ATEEC Releases New Product - Virtual Field Trip How To Manual and Video

2008-03-28T15:35:00.006-06:00

ATEEC has released their newest product, "An Illustrated Guide to Creating Virtual Field Trips."

The guide shows you how to create a virtual field trip for free by utilizing Google's free online services. Video and Manual. As always, our products are free. Download it now!

Enjoy.

ATEEC

Advanced Technology Environmental and Energy Center

www.ateec.org

Bruce Braley passes Clean Energy Investment Act - ATEEC present

2008-02-22T15:05:00.005-06:00

Yesterday, Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) visited the “Watts Up with Energy” exhibit at Bettendorf’s Family Museum of Arts and Sciences to discuss his wind energy bill. The interactive renewable energy exhibit which features many renewable energy technologies including wind energy, was developed by a partnership among Mid American Energy, The Family Museum, the Advanced Technology Environmental and Energy Center (ATEEC) at Eastern Iowa Community College and the Davenport Library.

The press conference was opened by Tracey Kuehl, Director of the Family Museum, followed by a welcome from Dr. Ellen Kabat-Lensch, Executive Director of ATEEC

During the press conference Rep. Braley expressed his vision and support to transform Iowa into one of the leaders country-wide in wind energy production. (Iowa’s wind energy production currently ranks fourth in the nation.)

“Iowa has the potential to be the wind energy capital of the Midwest,” Braley said. “Wind energy is good for the economy, good for the environment, and good for farmers. That’s why we need to do more to encourage the development of Iowa’s wind energy industry…”

Braley’s Clean Energy Investment Act of 2008 would extend the Wind Energy Production Tax Credit for seven years, providing wind energy producers with the incentive to expand production of wind energy."

ATEEC Fall 2007 Newsletter

2007-11-05T09:52:00.000-06:00

Advanced Technology Environmental and Energy Center Newsletter

Fall 2007 issue: http://ateec.org/newsletter/documents/ATEECNews_Fall2007_000.pdf

Highlights:

House Majority Leader Visits EICCD’s Technology Center

PETE launches a new NSF ATE Project!

The Nahant Marsh Educational Center

HSET Featured Student

2007 ATEEC Fellows: Real & Virtual Trips to Alaska

Environmental Job Training Programs in Brownfields Communities

ATEEC Receives Funding for Four More Years - Name Change to Include Energy in its Title

2007 SEET Workshop: A Real Learning Experience

Todd Trammel, New ATEEC Director

Enjoy!

ATEEC
Advanced Technology Environmental and Energy Center
500 Belmont Road
Bettendorf, IA 52722

Please visit our website to find out more.
www.ateec.org

2007-10-22T09:40:00.000-06:00

In August, the Eastern Iowa Community College District purchased 2 new Biodiesel reactor kits from Azure Biodiesel Company. The kits were purchased using Grow Iowa Value Funds. This grant is facilitated by ATEEC.

Paul Martin, Muscatine Community College Agriculture Instructor, arranged for Dan Dykema from Azure Biodiesel to give a training session in the manufacture of Biodiesel fuels (shown in the picture to the left). Instructors and students attended the session. The college has recently partnered with two area restaurants and will be receiving their waste vegetable oil (wvo). The wvo will be processed into biodiesel, which can be used to run any diesel vehicle.

The kits will be housed at the Scott and Muscatine campuses. They will be used as educational tools by a variety of programs and classes, including agricuture, chemistry, automobile, technology, and environmental science, just to name a few.

Adobe Max 2007

2007-10-02T14:09:00.001-06:00

ATEEC instructional designer, Tim Hunter attended the Adobe Max 2007 North American conference this year in Chicago. Much of what we are working towards in terms of user experiences has been validated through this conference and we have gained a ton of ideas to make our instructional designs and user experiences better for both teachers and their students.

Mostly what you can expect from ATEEC in future products are things like the Alaska Virtual Field Trip (our last product released in late September), more video, and richer user experiences. Teachers and students in the environmental sciences should be astounded with what is to come from the Advanced Technology Environmental Energy Center in future products and resources.

ATEEC Fellows 2007 Virtual Field Trip: Alaska

2007-09-25T12:48:00.000-06:00

We are pleased to announce our newest FREE product.

Virtual Tour Alaska - Fossil Fuels - Production and Transportation

Take a virtual field trip in Google Earth™ to Alaska through classroom activities, pictures, and video. Explore Alaska with over 25 classroom activities developed by environmental science instructors.

The 2007 ATEEC Fellows Institute brought 18 community college and high school instructors from the environmental sciences to Alaska. They explored current energy sources in the United States and discussed alternative energy sources. As a result, they developed over 25 activities for use in your classroom.

The virtual field trip will take you to:

* Dalton Highway and the construction of the Alaskan Pipeline
* BP oil facility in Prudhoe Bay
* Usibelli Coal Mine and the exploration of clean coal technology
* Chena Hot Springs Resort where you will find out about how geothermal energy works
* Denali National Park to explore the beauty of Alaska

Activity difficulty level varies among activities.

PEER April 2007 Nahant Marsh

2007-05-10T12:16:00.000-06:00

STEP Volunteers Help with PEER Grant Field Trip to Nahant Marsh

PEER stands for Protecting the Environment and Earth’s Resources. Funded by an EPA grant, PEER’s goal was to develop a one-year program to educate underrepresented youth, ages 8-10, who are served through Davenport United Neighbors Inc.’s after-school program. UNI and EICCD’s Advanced Technology Environmental Education Center (ATEEC) partnered on the grant. Written by Georgia Munford of United Neighbors, the following is a description of the PEER group's latest field trip to Nahant Marsh on April 21, 2007:

On a beautiful sunny 75-degree Saturday morning, the PEERs and their supervisors and volunteers drove to one of the most beautiful resources in our community. Nahant Marsh (513 acres), located in a most peaceful and serene setting, is the largest urban marsh or wetland left on the Mississippi River.

Our guides, Arnie and Bob, gave us an exciting tour which included the history of the marsh dating back to 1837 when its plant life was mostly sedge metal. As we trod the trails now laid out for learning, preservation, and enjoyment, we got a better image of how it used to look and how much the marsh has changed. Lead and other hazardous pollution affected the plant and wildlife for a period when the marsh was used as a gun club. Water lilies and the Northern Spring Peeper frog are among the missing species because of this pollution.

As a complete surprise to our guide, a Yellow-headed Black bird flew in and landed on a tree branch over our heads as we listened to Arnie. He explained that seeing this bird was very special since it normally does not come any more northerly than Missouri. What a treat!

The PEERs then took samples of marsh water, insects, and plant life to examine in the lab. With the help of Ann Lawler, Tim Chi, Dan Stone, and Jim Skadal of Scott Community College’s STEP program, the PEERs examined these samples under microscopes.

Among cattail stalks and the dried brown winter remains of other grasses, we spent some quiet time interrupted only by the call of a bull frog, Red-Winged Blackbird, or the splashing of a carp, or buffalo fish, spawning. In the distance blue herons took flight and landed, as pointed beaked coots or mud hens floated by diving for food.

Still close by is the evidence of modern civilization—a freight train, interstate highway traffic, and the smoke from the stack of a nearby business. Why don’t you consider taking a peaceful walk at Nahant Marsh? It costs nothing. You can also volunteer to help maintain or restore this community resource.

Majora Carter speaks at WIU - ATEEC attends

2007-04-18T12:39:00.000-06:00

Majora Carter, often compared to Jane Jacobs in her quest to make New York City (or more specifically South Bronx) a better place through "Greening the Ghetto" spoke at Western Illinois University today as two ATEEC representatives, Brian Ritter and Tim Hunter looked on. We were impressed. Her presentation felt truly passionate as she spoke of New York City, big business, and the struggle to save surrounding communities.

Why is she in Illinois? Her plans are bigger than just South Bronx. She knows that if other towns and cities can model her experiences, it could impact the world.

Majora is the Executive Director and Founder of the Sustainable South Bronx project. It is obvious that her knowledge extends far beyond green construction- it almost seems spiritual and surely driven by her upbringing in New York.

We had the opportunity to speak with her and grab a quick photo. Below is Brian Ritter from ATEEC with Majori Carter.

Watch a video of Majora Carter giving her presentation about "Greening the Ghetto."

Collaborative Blog

2007-03-13T19:31:00.000-06:00

We'd like to consider the possibility of a collaborative blog that educators could work on various educational resources/research together. If you'd like to work together in a collaborative workspace online to create resources for use in your classroom or to pursue research, perhaps this could be a place to start.

Assumptions for a collaborative workspace:
-Topics are posted by ATEEC based your needs.
-You volunteer to be a contributor for that particular topic.
-The work is done in a private blogosphere until the resource or research is completed or needs to be public.
-Continuous revisions may occur with permission from the core research or resource group.

Now we hand it to you... are you willing and if so, what topics are needed?

Our new site has launched

2007-03-13T19:18:00.001-06:00

Check out our new site and products listing at http://www.ateec.org

Our New Journey

2007-02-27T13:37:00.000-06:00

Advanced Technology Environmental Education Center is getting a makeover.

Yes it's true, we are launching a new website due in a couple of weeks. You can still find us at http://www.ateec.org, but you will notice all kinds of changes such as a shopping cart, this new blog, news feeds, videos, and more. We hope you'll like it.

Stay tuned...

-Tim