Mentor Name: Dr. Justin Hougham
Additional mentors: Marc Nutter
Mentor Title: Assistant Professor, Director
Institution/Department/Company: University of Wisconsin-Extension (UWEX)
Address line 1: Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center
Address line 2: N194 County Road N, Wisconsin Dells, WI
Research Project Title: From the forest to the classroom: Energy literacy as a co-product of biofuels
research
Research Area: (see list on http://hubzero.cee.wsu.edu/ed): Energy Education, Outreach
Location where the student would be located:
Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center, Wisconsin Dells, WI http://fyi.uwex.edu/uphamwoods/
Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center is an entity of the University of Wisconsin – Extension system.
Upham Woods was founded in 1941 after a generous donation from the Upham family. As our mission
states, “These lands are to be used as an outdoor laboratory and camp for youth, such as 4-H clubs and
other people cooperating with the University of Wisconsin in the advancement of conservation, of
agriculture and rural culture.”
Upham Woods is a residential center open year round. The property contains 310 wooded acres, with
over four and a half miles of shoreline on the Wisconsin River, and the capacity to house and sleep 200
participants at a time. Two hundred and ten of the 310 wooded acres comprise an island, and act as an
invaluable resource for ecological exploration. The property also has a unique ecological history, leading
to current day landscapes that aid student inquiry and discovery. We currently serve over 10,000 youth
per year and have 17 staff members. Upham Woods facilitates over 40 different educational and
recreational activities.
Upham Woods is located a mere 3 miles from a major interstate and a 40 minute drive from Madison,
Wisconsin, which is also accessible by bus and train. We have 30,000 square feet of indoor space
including classrooms, administrative offices, meeting rooms, and residential facilities.
Introduction/Background of Research Topic (200-300 words):
The Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA) is a biofuel research project that includes
a holistic educational approach to energy literacy. NARA research is focused on woody biomass as a
feedstock for biofuels and associated co-products, particularly in the forested areas of the U.S. Pacific
Northwest. Extending beyond the science of biofuels, the NARA project examines many social elements
of our energy economy, including education. Projects that can combine research and connections to
educational venues provide excellent opportunities to expand the impact of grant funded proposals.
Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center is an outstanding educational venue working towards
refining its research and implementation of bioenergy curricula in order to better understand the many
social elements of our energy economy. UWEX NARA SURE students will work with Upham Woods
Research Naturalists and NARA faculty to help create and facilitate a holistic educational approach to
energy literacy.
The UWEX NARA SURE experience offers undergraduate students the opportunity to research
energy education, to work with students attending Upham Woods’s summer programs, and to increase
their capacity as evaluators and educators. Upham Woods has several ongoing research projects in
regards to teaching and assessing energy literacy. SURE students are encouraged and supported to
independently enhance and facilitate current programming, as well as assist with Upham Woods
research. Some project examples include: modifying current energy education lessons and pilot testing
them with students, evaluating effectiveness of lessons, assessing student energy literacy, maintaining
energy literacy website http://energyliteracyprinciples.org/, or what interests the NARA SURE student!
UWEX NARA SURE students will stay on Upham Woods property. Food will be provided when groups are
on site. A duplex on property is located approximately 400 feet from the banks of the beautiful
Wisconsin River. The duplex has two full kitchens, two full living areas, four full bathrooms, shared bedrooms, ample furniture, and a washer and dryer.
Research Objectives: Refine energy literacy instruments, collection and analysis of data from onsite and
outreach efforts, evaluate effectiveness of energy literacy curriculums. Further develop energy literacy
curricula, lesson plans, and hands-on workshops.
List of Project Tasks: Enhance and facilitate current instructional sessions on energy education, maintain
and enhance energyliteracyprinciples.org website, refine and analyze energy literacy assessment tool,
prepare and present outreach material pertaining to 1k biojet, create poster for SURE project,
Skills required:
The ideal student will enjoy working outside, be a problem solver, and a creative thinker. Computer
skills, such as spreadsheet or programming skills, will benefit the student. Depending on interests, the
student will have the opportunity to improve the web-based assets, video and lesson plans. Training will
include guidance in curriculum design, assessment, outdoor pedagogies, and development of outreach
materials. Students with a background in environmental science, education, communications, and/or
web development would be appropriate for this project.
Visit http://nararenewables.org/content/article/48 to apply!