Area teachers learn about lignite industry

(6/27/08)

More than 100 elementary and secondary teachers experienced a role reversal in June, as they became the students at an educational seminar conducted by the Lignite Energy Council.

The seminar, held June 17 – 19 at University of Mary (ND), included educators from Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Florida. The seminar, titled

Volunteer teacher participants get practice mining coal and reclaiming the disturbed land in this classroom activity.

"Lignite - Our Regional Resource: Energy, Economics and Environment," provided teachers with the information and educational materials they need to teach their students how lignite is mined and used to produce energy for homes, farms and businesses in the Upper Midwest. The seminar covered lignite's economic impact on the region, as well as important environmental issues affecting the lignite industry.

As part of the seminar, the teachers toured the Falkirk Mine, Coal Creek Station, the Freedom Mine, Antelope Valley Station, the Center Mine, Milton R. Young Station, and the Great Plains Synfuels Plant.

By attending all portions of the seminar along with preparing lesson plans demonstrating how they will use the seminar information and materials in their classrooms, the teachers will receive a credit in economics. The credit is available through the Center for Economic Education at the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.