Registration is now open for the Lignite Energy Council’s 31st Annual Teacher Education Seminar: Energy, Economics and Environment, according to a press release from the Lignite Energy Council. The four-day seminar gives elementary, middle and high school teachers in North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota and Montana a first-hand look at North Dakota’s fifth largest industry, lignite mining and related energy production. The seminar will be held June 13-16, 2016, at Bismarck State College’s National Energy Center of Excellence, Bismarck.

“Teachers from all grade and subject levels should apply before April 15, but the earlier, the better, as the seminar does fill up fast,” said Kay LaCoe, Lignite Energy Council director of membership marketing, in the release. “One of the biggest draws of our seminar is that it offers two graduate credits paid for by the Lignite Energy Council, not to mention the popular tours of lignite facilities such as a lignite mine and power plant.”

Teachers who attend and complete a lesson plan can choose from one of three North Dakota institutions from which to receive their graduate credits: University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University or Minot State University.

The seminar provides instruction on these topics and more: history, geology, land reclamation, environmental protection, and economics of the lignite industry, the need for more workers, energy conservation, and transmission. Besides the classroom instruction and the tours, teachers will take home handouts, videos, coal samples and activities that can be used in the classroom.

The online application for all teachers is available at www.lignite.com/teachers.

The Lignite Energy Council is a regional trade association representing North Dakota lignite producers, electric utilities and 350 businesses providing goods and services to the mines and plants. The lignite industry generates approximately $3.3 billion in gross business volume within the state.