The NYC Public Schools Office of Energy and Sustainability and Solar One have been partnering for more than 9 years to provide energy and solar professional learning opportunities for NYCPS teachers. This program is FREE for interested teachers; all costs are covered through support from the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS).
Program Benefits
- Virtual and in-person professional learning program for 3-12th grade teachers
- Access to full GDL curriculum including lesson plans that align with the NYSSLS and NYS Science Regents
- Place-based and hands-on activities that can compliment Amplify curriculum and support students to investigate local phenomena
- Strategies for incorporating climate change and renewable energy content into curriculum
- Free classroom materials including multimeters, mini solar panels, and circuit supplies
- Opportunities to apply for free classroom visits and 1-on-1 lesson planning with a Solar One educator (limited availability)
- Best practices from a community of teachers leading sustainability education in NYC schools!
History of the Climate and Energy Education Program
New York City Public Schools is working with the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, Division of Energy Management (DCAS DEM) on a mayoral initiative to install 100 MW of solar on City-owned buildings by 2025. In order to connect solar installations to classroom education, the Office of Energy and Sustainability, STEM Department, and Solar One developed the Solar Schools Education Program. Leading into the 9th year of the program, Solar One is excited to expand the training program to explore lessons on new solar technology, energy efficiency, culturally responsive teaching in climate education, green career exploration, and more.
The program includes professional learning training opportunities for teachers, in-school classroom residencies with students, and a Career and Technical education program. The GDL curriculum explored during the training includes a combination of hands-on activities that give context for why solar is important – such as an introduction to power plants, fossil fuels, and climate change – and explores the science and applications of solar energy through building mini-solar systems, field studies, and experiments.
Read an in-depth case study on the NYC Solar Schools Education Program written by the Building Energy Exchange HERE
Learn more about how solar is being implemented on DOE school rooftops in Generation 180’s Brighter Future Report
Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities
The NYCPS Office of Energy and Sustainability and Solar One are hosting the Climate + Energy Education Intensive for the 2023-2024 school year!
NYCPS teachers are invited to attend this professional learning opportunity where they will be provided with the training, curriculum, and supplies needed to integrate hands-on, culturally responsive climate resilience and renewable energy activities into their coursework. Participating teachers will receive a materials toolkit for attending which consists of a classroom set of solar circuit supplies. Workshops will offer a total of 5 hours of CTLE professional learning credits.
Register below for Upcoming Programs