Promoting Energy Literacy: An Integrated Math, Science, and Technology Institute

August 17-21, 2009
Instructors: Dr. Susan Powers, Dr. Ken Visser, and Jan De Waters
We are in the midst of an energy crisis. Energy fuels our daily way of life – either directly - powering our vehicles and machinery and satisfying our home heating, cooking, and electric requirements, or indirectly, through the foods we eat and the goods we buy. Educating children to make them more energy literate will empower them to make responsible energy-related decisions as they become adults.

Energy literacy education requires the integration of STEM knowledge and application, coupled with social sciences and other humanistic considerations as well. Through hands-on activities and by incorporating a “systems approach,” teachers will be challenged to apply critical thinking skills to tackle relevant energy problems. Home energy conservation and efficiency, transportation systems and renewable energy technologies will be among the topics covered.

Teachers in past workshops have not only taken home great activities for their students, they have also re-thought and re-tooled their own energy consumption. A new energy efficient refrigerator and a commitment to build a new energy star home are some of the personal changes inspired by this workshop. Materials for this workshop recently won a national award for engineering curriculum development (targeted for grades 4-8).