Sustainability Education Handbook Sample Activities

Energy:

Theme: (9-12) Conduct a school audit of the heating, cooling & lighting systems.

Goal: Students will compile heating & cooling costs, recreate drawings of actual heat / vac system in school, interview custodians, principal, etc for information and discuss & develop alternative energy use plan by interviewing / researching renewable energy resources such as solar energy, wind power technology and energy conservation products such as compact fluorescent light bulbs, natural lighting, etc.

Standards / MEAP:

» English Language Arts: VIII.10.3 (Ideas in Action), IX.11.1, IX.11.2, IX.11.3 (Inquiry & Research)

»Social Studies: IV.1.3, IV.2.4, IV.4.1 (Economic Perspective), VI.1.1, VI.2.1 (Public Discourse & Decision Making), VII.1.2 (Citizen Involvement)

» Mathematics: III.1.1, III.1.2, III.1.3, III.1.4, III.2.1, III.2.4, III.3.2, III.3.3 (Data Analysis & Statistics), IV.1.1, IV.2.1, IV.3.2, IV.3.5 (Number Sense & Numeration)

» Science: IV.1.5, IV.1.6, IV.2.3, IV.2.4, IV.2.5 (Use Scientific Knowledge from the Physical Sciences in Real-World Contexts)

Curriculum:

» Home Lighting Energy-Saver Detective (4-7)

Contact: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (part of the Office of Building Technology, State and Community Programs)

202-586-9240

»Hot Water and Warm Homes from Sunlight (4-8)

Contact: Lawrence Hall of Science, University of Berkeley, CA 94720, Glenn T. Seaborg

ISBN: 0-912511-24-9

» Renewables are Ready: A Guide to Teaching Renewable Energy in Junior and Senior High School Classrooms (7-12)

Contact: Union of Concerned Scientists, 2 Brattle Square, Cambridge, MA 02238

617-547-5552

» Take the Challenge: Energy Action Challenge for Students (4-6)

Contact: National Energy Foundation, 5225 Wiley Post Way, Suite 170, Salt Lake City, UT 84116

801-539-1406 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or www.nef1.org

Websites:

»U.S. Department of Energy

» Florida Solar Energy Center

» Energy Quest

» Alliance to Save Energy

» See additional websites under websites Web Sites section

»Oakland Community College
Build Your Own Solar Air Collector