In an effort to increase community collaboration related to green technologies in the Fox Valley, the Sherman Hospital Auxiliary will host an Institute Day for 100 Kane County high school teachers from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Friday at the hospital. The program will focus on the fundamentals of geothermal energy, using our 15-acre geothermal lake as an educational tool. The day will bring together presenters and participants from School District U-46, School District 300, Elgin Community College, and Judson University.

Following opening remarks from Rick Floyd, teachers will learn the principles of geothermal energy, tour our geothermal lake system with members of the Engineering team, take part in a panel discussion with geothermal experts, and create lesson plans to take back to the classroom. Teachers will also have the chance to win a fully funded field trip to tour our geothermal system.

“By educating teachers, we hope to help them see Sherman as a local example of alternative energy application that they can use with their students,” says Sharon Jakle, president of the Sherman Hospital Auxiliary. “Our goal is to increase the number of community members who will be able to use Sherman as an educational resource.”

In the future, the Sherman Hospital Auxiliary plans to host field trips for classes from across Kane County and Boys and Girls clubs, Scout troops and other community agencies. The Auxiliary also plans to involve high school and junior high school teachers in future professional development sessions and plans to develop a cadre of docents to lead school and community visits.