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How can I enter the network?
Classroom Connection is a vehicle for the dissemination and adaptation of
exemplary educational programs. This "teacher led" network recognizes and rewards creative teachers
by promoting the exchange of good teaching techniques, Classroom Connection serves as a catalyst for
focusing more attention and resources on issues concerning education, and on the pivotal role teachers
play in this process. The program is available to teachers throughout the service territory of Xcel
Energy in Colorado.
Classroom Connection began in 1990, and has awarded grants to over
1,000 teachers. More than 75,000 students have been direct recipients of these teachers'
creative instructional learning experience.
Classroom Connection makes moderate financial awards to teachers
through annual Disseminator and Adapter grant opportunities.
A Disseminator teacher is a current K-12 certified teacher who has
developed, taught, and tested an innovative learning experience. Prospective Disseminator
teachers submit a completed application to the Classroom Connection. Disseminator grant
winners are selected by a judging committee comprised of previous Disseminator grant
winners.
Beginning in November of 2008, Classroom
Connection will offer "high-end" disseminator grants in Energy Education.
Teachers whose educationally sound classroom programs, which emphasize
energy-related topics that are more tightly coupled to Xcel Energy's
business specifically and to the energy industry generally, will receive an
additional $200 (total grant $600). While still maintaining the $400 tier of
grant awards for general, non-energy classroom programs in existing
categories.
Examples of topics qualifying under the Energy Education category include,
but are not limited to: energy and energy transformations; renewable energy
technologies, such as active and passive solar thermal systems, solar
photovoltaic systems, hydropower and pumped storage, geothermal
applications, biomass conversion, tidal and wind energy, ocean thermal
energy conversion; energy conservation, home and school energy audits, and
efficiency of home (and school) appliances; conversion of chemical energy to
electrical energy at coal- and gas-fired power stations; hydrogen fuel
systems; hybrid vehicles and innovations in battery design; nuclear
generating stations; and patterns of U.S. and world energy consumption.
Disseminator grant programs are published on the Classroom Connection website.
Disseminator grant winners also are honored at a yearly recognition event.
Disseminator grant winners use their award to complete a curriculum
packet that is available to interested teachers.
An Adapter teacher is a teacher who chooses a Disseminator program
from the Classroom Connection website, and creatively modifies
that learning experience to his/her classroom. Adaptations of Disseminator programs can
range from adjusting a program for a different grade level to integrating a program to fit
a different curriculum. Prospective Adapter teachers must first request a curriculum
packet from the Disseminator teacher. Once the curriculum packet has been obtained, an
application must be submitted to the Classroom Connection office. The Adapter application
is reviewed and evaluated by the Disseminator teacher and the Classroom Connection staff.
Adapter teachers use their funding to put their adapted ideas to work in their classroom.
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