Only eight teachers have signed up for professional development workshops for science and technology educators for the Energy Smart Students Program.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is offering the free workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at the BOCES facility, which was recently constructed to be energy efficient.

The workshop will teach educators lessons on the hydrogen economy.

Participants will receive free curriculum, lesson plans, electrolysis equipment, and a fuel-cell car kit.

“I think the main benefit is to really learn why hydrogen may be a fuel in the future,” said Terri Tuers, an Energy Smart Students Project Manager for NYSERDA. “A lot has been talked about so far nationally and also statewide about the alternative fuels out there that may be powering our vehicles some day, and hydrogen may be the fuel of the future for our automobiles. And in order to prepare for the hydrogen economy, we need a trained workforce that is going to be ready to work with hydrogen in these types of vehicles. We also need more research and development in the area of hydrogen and fuel cells and the best way to do that is to get our students interested in it.”

Organizers need a total of 20 to 25 teachers registered to run the workshop.

This particular workshop, Tuers said, will not be offered again in the foreseeable future. NYSERDA requests people preregister.

Registration closes on Sept. 28.

To learn more and register for a workshop, visit www.GetEnergySmart.org, e-mail info@nyess.org or call (877) NY-SMART.