Energy Education Sparks Curiosity in the Twin Cities 

On July 10-11, teachers and members of the energy education community gathered in St. Paul for an immersive learning experience focused on energy production and the workforce behind the light switch. Educators were encouraged to challenge themselves, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of how power is generated and the people who make it possible. 

Amanda from MISO provided an insightful session on how power is bought, sold, and distributed across the region to meet community needs. This foundational knowledge set the stage for the day’s industry tours. 

For the first industry tour the group visited Great River Energy in Maple Grove, a partner power provider, where they explored wind energy and learned about career opportunities driving the clean energy transition. Participants had the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with a wind turbine, deepening their understanding of renewable energy sources. 

Next, the group toured TruNorth Solar in Arden Hills, a local solar installer and contractor. The TruNorth team explained the intricacies of solar installation, energy generation, and the challenges of scaling a small company from a workforce perspective. 

The final stop of the day was the historic St. Anthony Falls Hydro Dam in Minneapolis, operated by Xcel Energy. Educators explored how the turbines produce energy and learned about the operational demands of running one of the country’s longest-operating hydroelectric dams safely and efficiently. 

Day two began with reflections on the previous day’s experiences, followed by a visit to the School of Engineering at the University of St. Thomas and the Center for Microgrid Research. Here, educators were introduced to microgrid concepts and explored the diverse careers necessary to manage this state-of-the-art facility. 

The next destination was the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center, a biomass facility located near Target Field. Educators learned how waste is diverted from landfills and burned to generate power for the city. They met engineers, control room operators, and various staff who ensure the plant operates cleanly and safely for the surrounding communities. 

Connecting with Resources and Innovations 

Returning to campus, the group enjoyed a lunch session with Diana from Clean Energy Resource Teams and Brian from the Department of Commerce. They shared valuable resources to help schools and communities understand Minnesota’s energy landscape and take advantage of local and federal incentives for community development. 

The final presentation was delivered by Lew from the Transportation Center of Excellence, featuring an extended version of his EV 101 talk. Educators received a comprehensive overview of the history, terminology, and innovations in the electrification space, including hands-on time with a PHEV and its charging systems. 

The event concluded with a tour led by Don Weinkauf, Dean of the School of Engineering, at UST through the newly inaugurated STEAM-focused Schoenecker Center. This cutting-edge facility features state-of-the-art labs and offers endless opportunities for students to engage in building the future of energy. 

By the end of the two-day event, educators not gained a wealth of knowledge about energy production, career opportunities, and resources to inspire their students. They also met the people powering Minnesota and discovered new ways their students can connect with the workforce of tomorrow. At the close, they left better equipped to light the way for a brighter, more sustainable future while having a little fun along the way. 

E3 is an annual summer professional development experience produced and funded by the Minnesota State Energy Center of Excellence. If you are an educator and want to participate or an industry partner interested getting involved email us at: [email protected]