Fall 2016

The stored solar thermal energy research group in the College of Engineering and at the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) has developed a portable cookstove that stores solar energy. This stove was designed for the energy impoverished areas across the globe, and as a solution to the Global Cooking Problem. Cooking results and lessons learned from our initial test sites in the Navajo Nation, Les Cayes, Haiti, and in kitchens across Champaign-Urbana will be discussed.

Chris Kloeppel is the President of the School Board for the Champaign Unit 4 School District. Chris will be discussing a bit of his background, explaining the process of running for a position on the School Board, and some of the issues he faces now that he has been elected President. There will be a Question & Answer segment after the talk.

Katrina Kennett is a PhD Candidate in Curriculum & Instruction and Writing Studies and studies how teachers plan and teach with digital tools. Having taught both Education and Informatics/Writing Studies courses, Katrina will share how she uses Google Drive (specifically Google Docs and Google Slides) as an interactive pedagogical tool - in class and out. With these tools, her students do collaborative research, crowdsource resources, respond to readings, and archive their intellectual and creative work. She will share examples and practice-based suggestions. 

This talk will describe the vision and recent activities of the Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Environment (iSEE) for achieving excellence in interdisciplinary research, teaching, and outreach in sustainability, energy and environment. It will discuss ways for the campus community to be involved in activities related to sustainability and present a preview of ongoing efforts and upcoming events.