Schatz Energy Research Center (SERC) is an educational and research institute affiliated with the Environmental Resources Engineering (ERE) department at Humboldt State University (HSU).

SERC's educational mission is to increase energy and environmental awareness and to offer people first-hand experience with clean energy technologies. As scientists, teachers, and environmental advocates, SERC engineers are excited about participating in environmental education in our community.

SERC Educational & Outreach Activities
SERC engineers educate K-12 and university students, as well as the general public, about energy and electricity basics. Our teaching techniques include interactive lectures, hands-on activities, games, and physical demonstrations tailored to fit the age and focus of the audience. We attend career fairs, speak as guest lecturers in classrooms, and guide tours of our laboratory and the Schatz Solar Hydrogen Project. These facilities provide excellent opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience with fuel cell technology. Education and outreach are important activities for SERC and are consistent with our mission to promote the use of clean and renewable energy in our society.

Community Classes and Workshops
SERC staff assist the ERE department in teaching laboratories and courses both in our facility and elsewhere on campus. In addition, SERC periodically offers courses for community members through HSU Extended Education. Course titles include “Understanding Grid-Connected Solar Electric Systems- A Course for the Homeowner or Small Business Person” and “Residential and Small Commercial Energy Auditing”.

Teacher Training
SERC engineers present training workshops for teachers to increase their capacity to teach energy and electricity concepts in their own classrooms. These workshops have been well attended, and the feedback has been very positive. Teacher training is an important aspect of our education program because we can affect a greater number of students through their instructors than through direct efforts.

Equipment
SERC’s education program includes fuel cell equipment and interpretation. We have designed and built a complete fuel cell power system for educational demonstrations and single-cell fuel cell kits for hands-on laboratories. We also design interpretive signs and brochures to educate the public about renewable energy in general and specifications for individual systems.

Fellowship
SERC is pleased to offer the Schatz Energy Fellowship for Graduate Studies at Humboldt State University.

Speaker Series on Energy, the Environment & Society
This interdisciplinary speaker series is intended to stimulate cross disciplinary discussion, debate, and collaboration around issues related to energy, the environment, and society. This series is sponsored by the HSUSPF Small Grant Program, SERC, the CNRS, the Environment & Community Graduate Program, and the Office of the President.