Curriculum Infusion: Using A Modular and Online Approach to Train Renewable Energy Technicians and K-12 Teachers

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College (OCTech), a minority-serving institution, is addressing South Carolina's growing need for renewable energy technicians by developing renewable energy curriculum modules for infusion into class-based, online, and hybrid energy education programs in community colleges and universities that serve students, as well as secondary in-service and pre-service teachers. The Curriculum Infusion project is (1) developing a 15-module Renewable Energy curriculum, (2) infusing renewable energy content into 20 existing courses and 12 programs at the college and South Carolina State University, (3) providing professional development on renewable energy to 180 secondary teachers, 20 community college and university faculty, and 25 teaching assistants, (4) defining a 2+2+2 Renewable Energy educational pathway from high school to community college to university, and (5) disseminating the modules electronically to South Carolina's 16 technical colleges and their service area high schools.