STEM

International Teachers Meet in San Diego for Green Boot Camp

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 06/23/15

Teachers from nearly a dozen countries are meeting in San Diego this week to learn and gain resources to teach students about energy efficiency, the environment and sustainability.

The seventh iteration of Honeywell's annual Green Boot Camp, "The workshop curriculum includes hands-on learning on a range of topics — from renewable energy technologies to green building materials," according to a news release. "And each subject is paired with expert-led activities to demonstrate these concepts in action. For example, teachers will assemble and race solar cars, identify 'energy vampires' and build wind turbines. Following the exercises, teachers convene to discuss how to apply the ideas in their classrooms."

Fifty attending teachers from Australia, Brazil, China, the Czech Republic, India, Mexico, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States were among approximately 850 who applied. Those selected received scholarships to cover attendance costs such as travel.

"As a science teacher, I'm passionate about educating others on the importance of sustainable practices, and Green Boot Camp gives me the practical tools and techniques to bring these concepts to life for my students," said Rob Rand, district program facilitator at Minneapolis Public Schools and a Green Boot Camp facilitator and past attendee, in a prepared statement. "I'm excited to once again be a part of this dynamic program and help other participating teachers bring these essential learnings back to their classrooms."