Wichita Falls, TX - Educators' Workshop

Arconic Foundation supported STEM teacher professional development for educators in the region surrounding Arconic facilities in Wichita Falls, Texas in Spring 2016. Twenty-four teachers across 18 schools in 14 Districts participated in a professional development experience organized by their Educational Service Center (ESC) that included one day focusing on renewable energy education with Solar 4R Schools. ESC Region 9 hosted this workshop and Ward Scientific sponsored lunch and door prizes. Teachers from 4th-12th grade took home one science kit to share for every school that included enough materials to make solar cars and design and test wind turbines in the classroom. Teachers at this workshop used a huge parking lot and the bright Texas sun to test and redesign their solar cars before heading inside for some windmill building and testing. One teacher even tested her windmill outside and watched it spin in the wind! Teachers anticipate reaching over 2700 students in the region in the first year with the new renewable energy materials and lesson plan ideas. Representatives from Alcoa Company also took part in the training and led a discussion with teachers about STEM careers and education for the next generation of industry leaders.

Arconic Foundation is proud to support Solar 4R Schools and bring this innovative program to Arconic communities nationwide. The mission of the Arconic Foundation is to advance science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and skills training worldwide, with a special emphasis on engaging and creating access for underrepresented and underserved groups. Through our partnerships, we are helping to change the perception of manufacturing by creating excitement around the rewarding career opportunities available to the next generation of talent – from career and technical education to the most advanced robotics and digital manufacturing. Solar 4R Schools is a proven and innovative model that we believe can bring to life the issues and solutions around energy management. Energy is a critical component of what we do in industry and in all of our personal lives – it is a topic that we want our youth educated about so that they can solve the problems of tomorrow.