The National Science Foundation (NSF), an independent federal agency, recently awarded Madison College an $854,471 grant. The three-year grant will provide money to allow faculty to develop courses leading to certificates.

Ken Walz, the project’s principal investigator, said the three certificates are wind energy, which is already available, bio energy starting in the spring and solar energy starting either this summer or next fall.

Each certificate requires 12 credits. They can be taken in addition to the regular classes in a student’s program. Walz feels that students in any engineering, architecture, constructions trades, plumbing and any science program can greatly benefit from these certificates.

“We’re hoping more students will be able to incorporate renewable energy to their career paths,” Walz said.

In addition to developing this curriculum, the Madison College faculty will also be training other faculty from around the country on these renewable energy programs. Of the 150 schools being trained, 50 will come and learn each of the next three summers.

Dean David Shonkwiler explained that the grant allows the school to do things that would have been much more difficult without the grant money.

“The grant enables us to free some faculty up from teaching and dedicate that time to writing curriculum, working with business and industry, figuring out what skills students would need,” Shonkwiler said.

In addition to Walz, Joel Shoemaker and Barbara Anderegg will be helping to develop the curriculum.

The three-year project fulfills a critical need to enhance the content knowledge and skills educators teach in community colleges and high schools. The collaborative effort encourages and aids students in structuring career pathways, transitioning from high school to college and ultimately into the workforce.

Spreading knowledge in a multiplier effect and attracting a diverse audience of learners, from first-time students to professionals seeking to further their education.

Focused on manifesting pathways leading to jobs and careers in an array of technical fields, the Solar Electric and BioEnergy Certificates will refine a proven strategy that employs veteran industry instructors and flexible course delivery.