Knowledge Is the New Power? Writers: Laura Lozon, Sarah Straub, Sage Trudeau, & Jordan Yamada RPI Environment and Politics Professor Kelly Grindstaff

Narrative Troy High School RPI

Aims, Location, and Organization Work with local middle school students Use college students to volunteer at their local middle school YES Allowing the 2 parties to come together Providing the logistics, organization, and resources to both parties

Potential for Scaling Up and Out Starting small we learn how to teach it right Use the connectivity of the internet to distribute learning material Cheap and beneficial to everyone involved. Tailor program to focus on an area’s energy sources

Related Projects and Involved Organizations Youth Energy Initiative The National Energy Education Development (NEED) The US Department of Energy KidWind

Rationale It is important to realize that these students will soon inherit this world and they need to understand how it is powered. The youth can have an impact on the energy consumption of their homes. Energy conservation has a direct correlation to saving money and there is every reason to, at the very least, learn and try. Middle school students are at a perfect age to understand the environmental issues and have an interest in learning and making a difference.

Project Design and Context Our organization will be called YES (Youth for Energy Sustainability). We will be developing and promoting sustainability with energy education materials that outreach groups in colleges around the country can use to teach middle school students. Because our project is education-themed, we will require little very funding for material distribution and lab material. YES will start locally in Troy Middle School but we plan to expand and cater the presentation to any of the local energy issues in other area. Because the ‘green’ movement is popular amongst many people, especially students, this may improve the reception to our project. Energy efficiency will save money in the home, school and community.

Key Phases 1.Assess approximate interest in energy education from college students 2.Acquire funding for our project from US Government and related groups 3.Develop an energy education presentation 1.Inform about energy and its role in society; the current issues 2.Discuss actions that can be taken and sustainability methods 3.Perform an interactive sustainability lab to interest the students 4.Discuss the future along with the future role of energy 4.Distribute materials to interested college students using the internet as a medium 5.Monitor progress of outreach groups by surveying and keeping in contact

Sample Curriculum Goal: Each student will create a flyer that explains an environmental issue in simple terms and provide suggestions for improving the problem. The flyer should be something that could easily be mass produced and distributed. Objectives: Learn sustainability issues faced by society today. Learn how to portray an idea in a manner that it is accessible to as many people as possible. Apply prior knowledge and continue research on issues pertaining to sustainability

Stakeholders Students of the proposed age group College Students Parents/PTA Students of other age groups Energy Companies Green Tech Companies School Officials

Summary Through exploring energy issues students will become familiar with forces external to their community and how to use them in the development of a sustainable future. Youth for Energy Sustainability offers an alternative perspective on energy issues to middle school students. YES will link together the knowledge of college students with the interest of these younger students.

Works Cited Alvia, Mario, and Laurie Guevara-Stone. "Teaching Cuba's Energy Revolution." Solartoday.org. Solar Today, Jan.-Feb Web. 31 Oct "America's Home Energy Education Challenge." America’s Home Energy Education Challenge. U.S. Department of Education, 24 May Web. 19 Oct The Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies. Digital image. Rensselaer Alumni Association, n.d. Web. 11 Nov Girl Holding CFL. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov Green Image. Digital image. Calvin.edu, n.d. Web. 11 Nov Hiskes, Jonathan. "Coal Coloring Book Teaches Kids All about Dirty Energy." 8 Comments 19 Aug :19 PM Share on Reddit Share on Stumbleupon Share on Share on Print Coal Coloring Book Teaches Kids All about Dirty Energy. Grist, 19 Aug Web. 31 Oct Hiskes, Jonathan. "Middle School Teacher Responds on Real Energy Education for Kids." Middle School Teacher Responds on Real Energy Education for Kids. Grist, 22 Aug Web. 31 Oct Hu, Winnie. "Schools Cut Their Energy Bills." The New York Times. The New York Times, 15 Aug Web. 27 Oct Markham, Derek. "KidWind Makes Renewable Energy Education Fun and Engaging." KidWind Makes Renewable Energy Education Fun and Engaging. Tree Hugger, 25 Oct Web. 31 Oct Mother Earth News Editors. "Alternative Energy Education." Alternative Energy Education. Mother Earth News, Mar.-Apr Web. 31 Oct NEED Logo. Digital image. NEED, n.d. Web. 11 Nov Pimental, Ken. "NBC Right Now/KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA |Tempe Union High School District Links Learning with Innovative Sustainability and Energy Education Program to Enhance Student Success." Tempe Union High School District Links Learning with Innovative Sustainability and Energy Education Program to Enhance Student Success. NBC, Web. 27 Oct Troy Middle School. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov Valena, Gracie. "US Targets Kids with Energy Education Program." Environmental News. Earth Times, 25 May Web. 31 Oct

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