CEDAR, INC.
COAL STUDY UNIT
PROGRAM PROMPT
2025-2026
CEDAR invites you to submit a proposal for the creation, development and implementation of a Unit of Study about Coal-the Resource and/or Coal-the Industry in enhancing the Future of Work in Appalachia, along with a Grant Request to purchase any materials and/or supplies needed for the Unit’s implementation. Either or both coal topics should be looked at relative to the following:
HISTORICAL – Investigate/research the importance that coal played in the development of the eastern Kentucky region, as well as the benefits it has provided to the region, state and nation;
CURRENT – Examine the cause/causes of the decline in the marketability of our region’s coal resource and explore possible solutions that could enable the industry to begin recovering and recapture some of its lost market share;
FUTURE – Enlist your students to become problem-solvers in one/both of the following areas: (Minimum 50% of Unit.)
Coal Industry – What new uses for coal, relative to emerging or future technologies, could result in an increased demand for coal or in making coal an acceptable resource that could regain a significant place in the overall energy strategy of our country?
Region – Explore possible uses of reclaimed mine sites or abandoned mine lands, as well as any existing coal industry infrastructure or assets that could be repurposed for the benefit of our region.
Within these contexts you are encouraged to design your unit so that a minimum of 50% of the content addresses future uses of coal. You may incorporate ways for your students to develop businesses around the historical, current or future aspects of coal, the coal industry, or our region. This will take some thinking-out-of-the-box but should be considered a challenge worthy of the effort. Bonus points will be awarded in the Teacher Awards Program for units incorporating at least 50% of the content on potential aspects of coal’s future in our region, as noted in the Judging Criteria/Scoring Sheet section on page 17.
The approval of your Unit Proposal and Grant Request will be based on the successful completion of the Program Application as outlined in the Program Guidelines and approved by the CEDAR Study Unit/Grant Committee.