Duke Energy Foundation continues its support of Clemson environmental education course
December 4, 2017
The Duke Energy Foundation has awarded a $50,000 grant to Clemson University to help expand a course on environmental education focused on the interrelationships of energy production and environmental stewardship at the Duke Energy Bad Creek Hydroelectric Station in Salem, SC. This program provides unique environmental education for 32 K-12 teachers, and in turn, 3,200 K-12 students per year. Courses at Bad Creek are taught by Clemson University faculty members, local scientists, and Duke Energy staff. Participants are recruited from Duke Energy service areas in South Carolina, including Title 1 schools and low-income communities.
Teachers and students who attend this course participate in lessons and discussions on the interrelationships of power generation, the environment, and the society. Alumni of the program state that the benefits of attending include professional knowledge gain, professional advancement, as well as personal enjoyment.
Funds from the Duke Energy Foundation will be used to provide two Clemson University graduate courses for K-12 teachers. One course will focus on middle and high school teachers, and the second on elementary school teachers. Participants will spend a week in residence at Clemson University with daily trips to the Bad Creek Outdoor Classroom site. Prior to the course, participants will complete a series of online lessons that introduce them to the basic principles of aquatic ecology, power generation, and the Keowee-Toxaway ecosystem. It is predicted that this grant will impact over 3,000 people in the Clemson community.