K-12 Education and Community Outreach

We offer a practical approach to teach clean energy to a broad audience, with emphasis on K-12 STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education through outreach.

Clean Energy Labs via Mobile Classroom

We inspire the next generation to meaningfully engage with clean energy by providing students authentic experiences that propel solution-seeking learning. Our mobile, educational labs have:

Curriculum-relevant, age-appropriate and customizable material that covers topics in STEAM
Fosters clean energy relevance for students to inspire them as current and future stakeholders
Expert content provided by CSU researchers at the forefront of hydrogen, wind, solar energy + more

In early 2024, we will take Powerhouse to the students and around Colorado with the launch of mobile classroom programming to bring hands-on learning in the fields of energy and decarbonization solutions.

Wind for Schools

We host the Colorado regional KidWind Challenges, facilitating exploration of the power of wind energy for 4th- through 12th-grade students to design, build and test a functional wind turbine.

This event is part of the Wind For Schools program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, in collaboration with the KidWind Project and the National Energy Education Development Project. This nationwide project involves installing active wind turbines at local schools, allowing for a hands-on educational curriculum around wind energy.

CSU Powerhouse (Fort Collins) – March 5, 2024
CSU SPUR (Denver) – March 6, 2024

"When I am able to do hands-on activities, it helps me to learn a lot better than just being told."

"I've learned a lot of things - how my turbine will act and how to present to the judges."

"If we teach them where they can go in the future, they will."

"Working in an industry that is growing as much as it is, we love to see kids getting interested in wind and other energy resources."

Energy Week

Every Summer in July, the Energy Institute and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County collaborate for an Energy Week. The multi-day event includes activities and lab demonstrations around the Powerhouse Energy Campus.

Field Trips

The Energy Institute is pleased to host free tours of the Powerhouse Energy Campus for student groups, CSU students, and visitors from other universities. Tour groups will get an up-close look at the innovative and exciting research taking place at the Powerhouse.

Schedule your tour today!

In addition to a tour, we particularly encourage middle and high school groups to ask about opportunities for full-day and half-day programming. If you are interested in clean energy or engineering educational programming, please contact Mike Estergard.