Center for Sustainable Energy at Notre Dame
Education and Outreach
While building strong research programs is a key component of the energy center, cSEND also creates education and outreach programs to strengthen the knowledge of its constituents. By collaborating with campus departments to develop new programs and services, cSEND impacts education both on and off campus. These programs build community and lay the groundwork for future activities toward creating a more sustainable energy future for all. The current education and outreach programs sponsored by cSEND are highlighted below.
Education
- Energy Studies Minor: Administered by cSEND, this minor is open to all undergraduate students in all majors and colleges at the University of Notre Dame. It offers a technical and nontechnical track of electives and two required energy courses. Other energy related minors at Notre Dame are the Energy Engineering Minor for undergraduate students in Engineering and the Minor in Sustainability for all undergraduate students in all majors and colleges.
- RET—Research Experiences for Teachers: Engineering a More Sustainable Energy Future. Beginning in Summer 2012, area high school teachers and teachers from the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) program will participate in energy related research programs at Notre Dame and develop curriculum and projects for their students in the classroom. This three-year program is funded by the National Science Foundation.
- Student Fellowships for Energy Related Research: cSEND offers competitive fellowships for undergraduate and graduate students to conduct energy related research at Notre Dame.
- Moving the Classroom into the Lab: Undergraduate students from the “Physical Methods of Chemistry” class conducted research projects in the Materials Characterization Facility, which helped to broaden their knowledge and enhance their research experience at Notre Dame.
- Professional Development for Teachers: One-day energy workshops are being offered for teachers of grades 4-10. Introduction to Solar Energy and Engineering will be held on July 24 and Energy Conservation, co-sponsored by the South Bend Municipal Energy Office, on August 7. Enrollment is limited to the first 20 for each workshop. Registration is required by June 29.
Outreach
- Conferences: Leading experts in energy research and education will be invited to participate in conferences sponsored by cSEND.
- Distinguished Lecture Series: This series brings to campus nationally recognized academic, industrial, and government experts to discuss best practices, new technologies, and policy development in energy.
- Energy Week 2012: Mark your Calendars for Energy Week -- Sunday, September 23, to Saturday, September 29! This annual event is sponsored by the cSEND Student Advisory Board and is designed to create awareness and educate students on critical energy related issues and topics.
- ScienceAlive!: This local event gives cSEND an opportunity to teach children in grades K-8 about energy through hands-on demonstrations and activities. South Bend Tribune (image 8).
- Campus Events
- Links to Energy Education Sites
- Links to Other Resources on Sustainability
- cSEND Quarterly Newsletter
