Sustainability Education: Ben Morse Review on current Energy & Biofuels modules

Organizations reviewed Eia.gov  energy kids – U.S. energy Administration Advanced Biofuels USA – “…Nonprofit educational organization, advocates for the adoption of advanced biofuels as an energy security, economic development, military flexibility and climate change solution”

Energy Kids Target group: grades 1-12, but most 1-5 Goals: teach basics of energy – Different types – Where they originate from/How they work – Small section about renewable energy & biofuels – Electrical grid and energy conservation Methodologies: Games/Activities – Scavenger hunts, puzzles, gym activities, crossword puzzles, etc Sociopolitical context: politically neutral – very few societal or environmental impacts shown Highlights: – cookie mining – U.S. energy pie: comparing now to 1970’s

Biofuels More environmental focus then most other topics Explained what ethanol and biodiesel are – Not much into how its made or problems Did list energy crops and cellulose based biofuels Explained how these fuels can be mixed with current sources Did not explain what was different between biodiesel and diesel fuels chemically No focus on algae based biofuels

Effectiveness Successes: – Identification of energy sources – Teaching very basic concepts of how energy sources work – Some environmental consequences of well known energy sources: extraction and use such as coal Weaknesses: mostly in attempt of political neutrality – general lack of complexity – Lack of political social consequences and relevance's – Topics were not interdisciplinary or show connection to larger picture – Not strong environmental focus – Not well matched to eco-literacy Ways of improvement: – Higher level of information – Include more information about biofuels: make it a larger category with subcategories – Higher order of thinking: i.e. critical thinking, analyze, or apply Involve consequences of using different energy sources

Advanced Biofuels USA Target group: K & up including post secondary Goals: – support the use of biofuels – educate about advanced biofuels How to guides Sponsors: – Advanced Biofuels society – Infocast – Grassroots.org Methodologies: – ABC’s Biofuels-DIY-internships* – News articles-Games – Animations-science fair projects Philosophy:

Effectiveness Strengths: – completely inclusive of all potential biofuels And their associated benefits and detractors – Interconnectedness of science, economy, sociopolitical aspects – Understanding of potential short comings Eco-literacy: moderately Weaknesses: hard to find – Could add more background about negative effects of non- renewable, but not really necessary – More research needs to be done to see what they lack

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