IMAGINING TOMORROW TEACHER FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Purpose:  It is a challenge for teachers to introduce real-time issues into their classrooms, especially when those issues are evolving faster than curriculum requirements can keep pace.  One of the best examples of this is climate science and energy resources: the implications of our current usage and policies; the clean technologies and practices already being implemented; those under development; the energy demands of the world’s growing economies. 

The Imagining Tomorrow: Alternate Energy Futures creative writing and video contest enables high-school teachers to discuss this important subject with their classes, engage their students in thinking about these issues, and give them the experience of practicing the critical thinking and life-long learning habits that they will need to be active and informed citizens.  The IMAGINING TOMORROW Fellowship provides resources to participating teachers for planning and preparation, for field trips or other materials, and for their own educational development. 

Fellowships: There are two levels of fellowships: Junior and Senior.  A Junior Fellowship award is in the amount of $1,250; a Senior Fellowship award is in the amount of $2,500.  Awards will be paid to the school, with one-third at the award announcement; a third with the required report, and a third with confirmation of the professional development undertaken. 

Requirements for Participation, Junior Fellow:

  1. An agreement to participate in the Imagining Tomorrow program by making this an assignment in one or more of your classes.
  2. The submission of a summary of the learning experience in your class, including any lesson plan developed to introduce the program to your students, or other activities that resulted.  Click to see Report Form. 
  3. A brief description of your own educational development in this subject area, such as attendance at a lecture, presentation, or other event.

Requirements for Participation, Senior Fellow:

  • As above, but with more significant professional development.  This could include attendance at a professional-level conference or training course, a graduate course related to the topic of clean technology and/or climate change, or working in a laboratory or business enterprise related to this subject area. 

Benefits:

  1. In addition to the monetary award, you will be igniting your student’s active participation in understanding this important issue and you will be modeling the goal of life-long learning and active citizenship for your students.
  2. You will receive an invitation to attend the awards reception in May, be introduced as an Imagining Tomorrow Fellow, and be acknowledged in the program.
  3. You will have the privilege of selecting one of your students as a confirmed finalist, based on your judgment of the quality of their work. 

Application Form:  The deadline for applications is March 7, 2008.  There are a limited number of fellowships available this first year; you will be notified by March 10th if you have been accepted.