Educational Programs and Outreach
BETO BRIDGES Professional Development Instructor Workshop
Connect Your College Students to Tomorrow’s Clean Energy Future
The BETO BRIDGES workshop will take place May 15-17, 2024, at Argonne National Laboratory.
This engaging workshop will introduce educators to national laboratory research in bioenergy. Participants will explore how the Bioenergy Research and Education Bridge (BRIDGES) Program, a case study-based bioenergy education curriculum, can be effectively incorporated into the classroom and help to educate students on this clean energy STEM pathway.
The case study-based bioenergy education curriculum is intended to be taught in diverse settings including community colleges, technical colleges, universities, and upper-level high school classrooms. Created by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory, BRIDGES provides background and foundational materials for students and instructors with no prior bioenergy knowledge.
Join us for three exciting days of information, exploration, expert talks, and tours of Argonne.
BETO BRIDGES Professional Development Instructor Workshop
Apply Now!Eligibility
- This workshop is open to adjunct and full-time community college, technical college and university instructors. If space allows, upper-level high school teachers may also apply.
- If located greater than 50 miles from Argonne, participants may be eligible for travel reimbursement (e.g. mileage, hotel, air).
Deadline
- The deadline to register was March 30, 2024.
Agenda
Wednesday, May 15
9 a.m.: Learning center opens
9:30 a.m.: Welcome and introductions
10 a.m.: Introduction to teaching with case studies
10:30 a.m.: Formation of case study groups
10:45 a.m.: Break
11 a.m.: Connect to lab: Overview of bioenergy - presented by Lauren Valentino, Environmental Engineer
11:45 a.m.: Case study group
Noon: Lunch
1 p.m.: Connect to lab: Materials Engineering Research Facility tour
1:45 p.m.: Case study group/Exploration of feedstock library samples
2:30 p.m.: Break
2:45 p.m.: Case study group/Connect to lab: Feedstock and waste to energy case studies from Idaho National Laboratory
3:45 p.m.: Groups report out, connect and reflect
4 p.m.: Adjourn
Thursday, May 16
9 a.m.: Learning center opens
9:30 a.m.: Welcome back, announcements
9:40 a.m.: GREET (Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies)
Life-Cycle Analysis Model and Sustainable Aviation Fuel - presented by Michael Wang, Director, Systems Assessment Center; Environmental Assessment Leader
10:15 a.m.: GREET well-to-wake calculator demonstration
10:45 a.m.: Break
11 a.m.: Case study group
Noon: Lunch
1 p.m.: Connect to lab: Plastics upcycling, lab presentation- presented by Massimiliano “Max” Delferro, Chemist and Group Leader of the Catalysis Science Program
1:30 p.m.: Plastics upcycling lab tour
2:30 p.m.: Break
2:45 p.m.: Connect to industry: Plastics upcycling- presented by Ryan Hackler, CEO of Aeternal Upcycling
3:15 p.m.: Case study group, presentation prep/review career exploration activity
3:45 p.m.: Groups report on progress, connect and reflect
4 p.m.: Adjourn
Friday, May 17
9 a.m.: Learning center opens
9:30 a.m.: Welcome back, announcements
9:40 a.m.: Case study presentations
10:30 a.m.: Break
10:45 a.m.: Discussion of supporting students in case study experience
11:30 a.m.: Review of instructor guides/planning for integration
Noon: Lunch
1 p.m.: Connect to lab: Tour of Advanced Photon Source
2 p.m.: Break
2:15 p.m.: Internship and faculty opportunities, university programs and partnerships - presented by Courtney Cutinello, Student Operations Coordinator, University Programs and Partnerships
2:45 p.m.: Closing announcements and reflections
3 p.m.: End of workshop