National Bioenergy & Bioproducts Education Programs.

The National Bioenergy & Bioproducts Education Programs provide professional development and hands-on teaching tools for educators (grades 6 - 16 in service and pre-service science teachers and extension educators) who want to learn and teach about the Bioenergy and Bioproducts systems currently in use and under development in the United States. Through the collaborative efforts and expertise of six institutions of research and higher learning, this program aims to inspire today's students to pursue careers in math and science by aligning concern for the natural environment with the emerging bioenergy and bioproducts industries.  The Bioenergy & Bioproducts Education Programs provide educators with the foundation and hands-on teaching tools to carry this message to our Nation's future workforce by providing:

• An introduction to multi-disciplinary bioenergy and bioproducts content

• Systems thinking and industrial ecology problem solving approach

• Sustainability for Education content

• Research based, learning-standard ready training materials and hands-on activities

• Continued technical support after the workshop ends and the school year begins

We consider teachers who have participated in the Bioenergy & Bioproducts Education professional development programs to be partners in carrying the message that our choices can change the world!  We encourage our teachers to stay connected to the program and contribute suggestions for improvement.   The program partners are actively developing ways of sustaining the program beyond federal funding. The presentation will provide a summary of the first two years of the program activities and outcomes.