Professors April Baptiste and Abigail Mechtenberg will bring a new learning opportunity to Colgate students and Hamilton Central students and support renewable energy solutions in partnership with a community in Uganda.
In support of Colgate’s strategic plan, the Max Shacknai COVE and the Upstate Institute announced the availability of a new course development grant program that promotes civic education in the curriculum.
Beginning in 2014-2015, faculty may apply for one or more course development grants offered by the Upstate Institute; the Max A. Shacknai Center for Outreach, Volunteerism and Education (COVE); and the Center for Learning, Teaching and Research, in partnership with the Office of the Dean of Faculty.
The Service-Learning Pilot Program aims to provide faculty with the resources to offer students immediate opportunities to apply classroom learning to support or enhance the work of local agencies that exist to effect positive change in the community.
The COVE selected the first course funded through the pilot program. April Baptiste and Abigail Mechtenberg will take an interdisciplinary approach to understanding energy systems globally with a focus on the developing world. Students in their class will work with Hamilton Central School middle school teachers to expand their science curriculum to include lessons about wind turbines, solar panels, hydroelectric generators, electric vehicles, and overall microgrids through project-based learning methodologies.
Students will then travel to Uganda to partner with three universities and one private sector company to enhance public understanding of renewable energy systems under consideration by local communities. This course will be taught in the 2015/16 academic year.