As we experience an immense global transition away from fossil fuels, join the Wisconsin Energy Institute and the UW–Madison Archives in creating eyewitness accounts of these changes through student-led oral history interviews. This 45-minute workshop will introduce you and your class to oral history and equip your students to go out and record their own Energy Transitions Oral Histories for a special collection at the UW–Archives. 
 
Who should participate? 
Teachers and classes of all subjects are encouraged to participate. This activity is appropriate for STEM, Social Sciences, and Humanities classes, and is best for learners 4th grade and up. Teachers may register for their entire class, or may register students to participate individually via remote learning. 
 
Why do this activity with your students? 
Conducting oral histories is a great way to integrate social emotional learning competencies into STEM and social science content. Students develop listening and conversational skills and intergenerational appreciation while “democratizing” history and preserving their narratives as a primary source for future historians. Staff from UW–Madison’s Archives and the Wisconsin Energy Institute are here to support along the way.

Preview the Project and lesson plan here. You can learn more about the benefits of using oral history as an educator on the Oral History Association's Webpage. 
 
Not a teacher or student? That’s okay! 
This event is open to anybody interested in learning more about the Energy Transitions Oral Histories project. We’ve found that youth interviewing an older family member or friend makes for some of the most meaningful conversations, but are accepting oral histories from all ages into the Project Archive and would love to have you join. 

Be sure to register here to receive the webinar link!
 
Questions? 
Contact Allison Bender at agbender@wisc.edu.