REcharge Labs Announces 26 Educator Scholarships for its Summer Renewable Energy Training Academy

(Minneapolis, MN) April 27, 2018 – REcharge Labs, the creators of hands-on renewable energy activities, kits and comprehensive teaching training, is hosting its 11th annual Recharge Academy from July 23-27, 2018 at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. The week-long renewable energy academy helps educators interested in renewable energy learn how to incorporate hands-on, engaging lessons into their classrooms.

Educators can apply for one of 26 scholarships generously donated by REcharge Labs sponsors, including Pattern Energy, the Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and EDP Renewables North America.

· Pattern Energy is sponsoring 12 scholarships. Two of the scholarships are available for educators living near the Amazon Wind Farm Fowler Ridge in Fowler, Ind., while the other 10 scholarships are available for educators living near their other wind farms, including those in Paxton, Ill.; Corona N.M.; Socorro, N.M.; and Newell, S.D. Click here to see a map of Pattern Energy’s wind farms.

· NREL is sponsoring 12 scholarships for educators anywhere in the following 12 states: Alaska, Ariz., Colo., Idaho, Ill., Kan., Mont., Neb., N.C., Pa., S.D., and Va.

· EDP Renewables North America is sponsoring two scholarships for educators living near Meadow Lake Wind Farm in Chalmers, Ind.

Educators need to apply for one of the 2018 REcharge Academy scholarships by May 15, 2018. To apply, click here.

The week-long academy will provide teachers with the information and skills they need to incorporate renewable energy concepts and activities into their classrooms. The intensive training blends lectures from energy industry executives with replicable hands-on K-12 lessons in order to give educators both context and content for teaching renewable energy concepts. After completing the REcharge Academy, all attendees become REcharge Instructors and are trained to host REcharge programming in their own areas. To date, REcharge Instructors have trained more than 35,000 teachers across the United States.

“Many educators are interested in teaching about renewable energy, but may be intimidated by it,” said Michael Arquin, Co-Director of REcharge Labs. “The main goal of the Academies is to first teach educators the science behind renewable energy and then give them practical and fun ways to teach it to students. The REcharge Academy and our network of REcharge Instructors make it possible to bring this work to new locations across the U.S.”

For a detailed program guide for this year’s REcharge Academy, click here.

About REcharge Labs

REcharge Labs generates resources for learners to creatively explore wind and solar power. The company seeks to engage and inspire today’s K-12 students, educators, makers and tinkerers to become the innovative renewable energy leaders of tomorrow by offering effective hands-on learning activities and kits, educator professional development, online engineering design challenges, and lessons. REcharge Labs also provides community outreach to partnering companies, energy developers, museums, state agencies, and more. For more information, visit rechargelabs.org.

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