SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — The state Department of Environmental Protection will offer middle school teachers, administrators and building managers a training workshop May 12 on the Keystone Energy Education Program (KEEP) to teach and track energy efficiency in school buildings and homes.

The free workshop will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Harmony House at Macoskey Center, 247 Harmony Road, on the Slippery Rock University campus.

Lunch can be bought in the campus dining hall. Registration is required.

Through presentations, tour of a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified building, and hands-on activities, workshop participants will learn about energy basics, conservation, efficiency, student energy teams, benchmarking using Energy Star Portfolio Manager, and using the building as a teaching tool.

Participants will have the opportunity to integrate high-level, standards-based energy education into their curriculum. This could include lesson plans, curricular modules, energy benchmarking through EPA’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager, or hands-on student-led energy efficiency assessments leading to improvements that reduce energy consumption.

Participating teachers will receive background information, standards-based curricular materials and energy conservation kits that contain a Kill-a-Watt meter, light meter, multimeters, power conserving plug-in wall switches, and thermometers (each kit is valued at $75).

Teachers will be eligible for 6.5 Act 48 credit hours.

Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Register by online by visiting DEP’s website and clicking on the KEEP Workshop button.