MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT: Several speakers will discuss the future of alternative energy at the Metropolitan Detroit Science Teachers Association's annual fall conference, which attracts more than 1,000 teachers for more than a hundred educational sessions. For a complete list of presentations, go to (link).

 WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 18, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 WHERE: Lawrence Technological University, 21000 West Ten Mile Road, Southfield. See the campus map at this (link).

 WHO:  The keynote speaker is Stan Ovshinsky, the brilliant Michigan inventor who holds more than 300 patents and is the founder of Energy Conversion Devices. A strong advocate for the environment, Ovshinsky has been trying for decades to get the United States to reduce oil consumption by using other energy sources like hydrogen and solar energy. Science Building (S100), 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., with a follow-up Q&A session, 12:45-1:45 p.m.

 John Ginder of  Ford Motor Company will review biofuel and sustainablility programs at Ford and discuss new Ford vehicles and future fuel technologies. Science Building (S100), 9:45-10:45 p.m.

 Rebecca Steinman and Charles Springman of the Michigan section of the American Nuclear Society will discuss current environmental issues for operating nuclear plants and potential new plant construction. As global warming concerns grow, many environmental groups are taking a new look at nuclear power. Engineering Building (E206), 8:15-9:15 a.m.

 WHY: Even John McCain and Barack Obama can agree that America needs to develop alternative sources of energy in order to reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil. Gov. Jennifer Granholm and the Michigan Legislature have set a high goal for alternative sources of the state's electrical power supply. This is expected to be a major source of new jobs in the state. These speakers will discuss what is involved in reaching those goals.

 Lawrence Technological University, www.ltu.edu, offers over 80 undergraduate, master's and doctoral degree programs in Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Engineering and Management. Founded in 1932, the 4,500-student, private university pioneered evening classes 75 years ago, and today has a growing number of weekend and online programs. Lawrence Tech's 102-acre campus is in Southfield, with education centers in Lansing, Livonia, Clinton Township, Traverse City and Petoskey. Lawrence Tech also offers programs with partner universities in Canada, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.