Previous Energy Education Camps and Workshops

OEP hosted the 2023 Energy Education Camp for Educators at Henry Horton State Park. The three-day camp provided educators with information and resources needed to teach on topics related to energy and energy conservation in the classroom and showed them how to involve students in service-learning projects that promote environmental stewardship. Participating educators were provided with energy-related classroom materials, as well as complementary lodging and meals. Click here to learn more about the 2023 Energy Camp resources OEP used.

Participant Feedback

“The Energy Camp sponsored by TDEC has been the most informative and inspiring professional development I have attended in over 10 years. I will be able to use a number of ideas presented in my STEM classroom. Please continue to support these types of workshops for science and STEM teachers, they are truly beneficial.” Carolyn Washing - West Wilson Middle School

“I truly enjoyed this workshop. It has given me some new ideas to teach energy to my 6th graders that will keep them interested and excited about learning. The materials given are going to be used in my classroom. I also appreciate the thought behind the cost. When you have to provide for so many students that part was appreciated.” Amanda Harris - Morrison Elementary

“The Energy Education Summer Camp has been the single best Professional Development experience I have attended in my 25 years as a science educator. I unequivocally recommend this training for all science and STEM educators.” Douglas Burroughs - Morristown West High School

“This conference/training far surpassed my needs and expectations. It was impactful because of the hands-on experiences. The materials that were given in the training will help science come more to life for my students.” Olivia Delashmitt - Jasper Middle School

“The energy camp helped me become more comfortable and confident at teaching energy sources and electricity. I gained valuable ideas to use with students to increase student engagement and hands-on activities. The items I am leaving and taking with me will add tremendously to my classroom instruction.  Was very organized and equipped!” Kelly Casey - Grandview Elementary

“I really enjoyed learning more stem activity to have for programming for the libraries. It will help to have for younger to older children. We can offer adult programs with some of the activities. Thank you for the opportunity to come learn.” Robbie Harris - McNairy County Libraries

“I really benefitted by learning different ways I can teach about energy and even incorporate energy into other subjects like math and social studies. The resources provided made the camp reproducible in my classroom and public library as soon as I return home. Thank you for providing this opportunity.” Emily Harris - McNairy County Libraries

“The program is an excellent hands on learning experience for educators. It provides valuable tools and ideas to encourage and enhance learning in our classrooms. I have very much enjoyed and greatly appreciate the knowledge and ideas presented to enhance student knowledge and curiosity in science. I will highly recommend this program to other educators.” Shannon Bass - Minor Hill School

“The 2023 Summer Energy Camp was absolutely fantastic. Each day was filled with valuable information and useful materials. The presenters were phenomenal and if given the chance I’s come back again and again. This experience has been energizing and by far the best inservice opportunity in years! Thanks so much for offering this to us teachers.” Autumn Russell - Finley Elementary

“Thank you so much for the opportunity to participate in this energy camp! This has been the best professional development I have attended in years! The activities were ALL usable in the classroom and the resources and ideas were inspiring. It’s the first professional development where time wasn’t wasted. I really enjoyed it being at a State Park too.  It helped me decide to do this too because I could explore after camp was over. The food was sooooooo good. Thank you all for being so nice and encouraging as well.” Candice Thurman - Station Camp High School

“Thank you for this great opportunity. I have enjoyed the collaboration and the hands on activities. You all have given me several lessons that I will use to start the next school year. Energy Camp got me excited about teaching again since Covid.” Giovonni Morton - Alexander Elementary

Camp

OEP hosted three Energy Education Camps for K-12 Educators in 2019. The sessions kicked off at Cumberland Mountain State Park from June 18-20, next was Roan Mountain State Park from June 18-20, and wrapped up at Natchez Trace State Park from July 17-19 . The three-day camps provided educators with information and resources needed to teach on topics related to energy and energy conservation in the classroom and showed them how to involve students in service learning projects that promote environmental stewardship. Participating educators were provided with energy-related classroom materials, as well as complimentary lodging and meals. Click here to learn more about the energy resources OEP used for these camps.

Workshops

TDEC OEP’s Energy Education Program realized its biggest year to date. Within this Program Year, OEP hosted 23 K-12 Energy Education Workshops throughout the state. OEP’s Workshop offerings promoted energy literacy as it relates to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects and introduced participants to topics including, but not limited to, electricity generation; consumption and measurement; renewable energy; and energy efficiency and conservation.

OEP offered grade-specific workshops, Earth Day activities, STEM events, summer camps, and after school programs at no cost to schools, libraries, and organizers.

Participant Feedback

Cumberland Mountain State Park

"I have attended a plethora of professional development trainings over the last years.  However, the Energy Camp superseded anything that I have ever been a part of.  Not only was the team extremely knowledgeable of the new standards, but they kept us completely engaged with hands on activities, and even supplied us with the tools to deliver instruction that will foster student achievement at any level.  This is by far the BEST training imaginable.” –Jerry Lynn Recker,  Memphis Academy of Science

"This professional development was great.  The staff turned the teachers into students and welcomed our feedback, comments, and questions. We will walk away today with a bag full of goodies, a notebook full of info, a brain full of ideas, and a heart full of memories.” – Jammie Lowry, Warren High School

“Energy Camp is by far the best professional development I’ve ever had. I am walking away with so many ideas and practical hands-on lessons that will really transform my classroom instruction.” – Thea Puckett, Church Hill Intermediate

Roan Mountain State Park

“I liked the ability to design, test, and redesign. Fast-paced class that included all levels without boring the high school teachers or intimidating the elementary teachers. Breakout sessions were applicable and intense.  Materials for each activity were well organized and activities were demonstrated clearly.  Instructors were engaging and had activities dialed in. You know it’s a good workshop when the instructors have to run “students” out to make them stop working on projects at the end of the day.” - Laura Sterrett, Westview High School

“This has been one of the most useful trainings in my 14 years of education. There were so many project-based learning opportunities that easily touched on all aspects of STREAM.  Furthermore, the projects were leveled nicely so that high school was appropriate for high school, middle for middle, etc. Awesome!” -  Alison Fox,  Chuckey-Doak High School

“The energy camp pushed us all out of our “comfort zone” and into higher order thinking with creation and development of our ideas. We felt like kids in the classroom with the excitement and hands on activities.  We have definitely learned by doing!“ -  Karrie Tyler, McEwen Elementary

Natchez Trace State Park

“2019 Energy Camp was awesome.  I have always been timid with electricity and it tended to be the last standard I would teach with the least hands-on activities as I usually relied on videos to carry the day.  I am returning to my classroom excited and much more comfortable with electricity.  The activities were varied, awesome, and met the standards.  I did not ever feel as if I was the weakest link because all had areas of deficiency and expertise.  The materials to take back to the classroom will enable me to teach my students in an experimental manner that will stay with them forever and hopefully intrigue some enough to start thinking of a future career in electrical engineering.  If ever anyone asks me what was a valuable professional development, I will immediately respond with TDEC Energy Camp, you have to go!!!” – Debbie Skotte, Cowan Elementary School

“In 20 years of teaching/professional development, I have never attended a more exciting, engaging, and fun learning conference.  I have built relationships with people that will continue into the future.   The hands-on learning solidifies my belief that more is learned through “doing” and making mistakes, and then adjusting than any teacher could lecture, demonstrate, or show videos to promote understanding.  This school year will only be my 2^nd in 7^th grade Science.  My previous 12 years was spent teaching Math.  I am excited that I will develop this year’s activities with a hands-on focus.  I am even starting to think about a STEM club.  Thank you for the opportunity.  This has been three days very well spent.” -Kimberley Smith, McKenzie Middle School

“This is the best workshop I have ever attended in my 37 years of teaching!  Love the hands-on instruction.” - Ronald Marshall, Jr, Oakland High School

Camp

OEP hosted the 2018 Energy Education Camp for K-12 Educators at Paris Landing State Park. The three-day camp provided educators with information and resources needed to teach on topics related to energy and energy conservation in the classroom and showed them how to involve students in service learning projects that promote environmental stewardship. Participating educators were provided with energy-related classroom materials, as well as complementary lodging and meals. Click here to learn more about the energy resources OEP used for the camp.

Workshop

OEP conducted two Energy Education Workshops for third through sixth grade students enrolled in an after-school energy program at Michie Elementary School in McNairy County. As part of the workshop, OEP provided lessons and materials on hydropower electric generation, kinetic energy, and the force of gravity. 

Participant Feedback

“Best conference/camp for educators I’ve been to in 10 years of teaching!  Thank you so much for this opportunity! I loved all of the hands-on activities.  Just as students learn by doing, so do adults. I believe because of this, I’m better prepared to teach my students.  I will definitely spread the word across my district!” Laura Allen, Avery Trace Middle School

“The Energy Camp is an energetic and engaging training Camp. It would be beneficial to all teachers of Science and after school extended programs of TN.  This is the best Camp/Training I have attended in my 4 years of teaching.“ Stefanie Bishop, Parris South Elementary

“The ladies did a fabulous job organizing the week’s activities. They were kind, patient, and understanding with a varied audience. Their hard work affected a few here, but will affect many students as “we” go out and share. This is a very exciting opportunity. Loved all of the activities. They were hands-on, easy to do/use with students, engagement, correlation with science. This also ties into teacher evaluation rubric: Technology, Groups, Engagement, etc.” Brenda Hughett, Putnam County Schools

“What a great week! Thank you so much for the loads of activities, resources, and tools that can be used so much with our 6th grade science standards!  The energy house competition was a fun collaboration & allowed room for creativity & engineering.  Camp increased my knowledge of more hands-on activities that can be used with energy.” Kim Dolan, Harris Middle School