Enlightening Kids about Solar Power
The City Tour for Solar is on the road. The tour, which is covering 50 cities in 100 days, is canvassing the country offering hands-on exhibits and information about solar power and its potential to positively impact our energy costs, carbon footprint and a green, locally-based economy. Sponsored by five major solar firms, including Sun Edison, this year’s tour will end on November 14th in Sacramento, California.
Along the way, many educators and visitors have requested a curriculum that spells out a plan for teaching American students about solar power in the classroom. In response, Sun Edison has developed a lesson plan, “Learning about Solar Power,” designed for teachers of 6-12th grade students. The four-hour curriculum delves into solar energy, energy conversion, and conservation. It is designed to enlighten kids about how solar power can affect their daily lives.
Beyond basic information about solar energy, the curriculum offers resources for students to construct their own solar PV system. The curriculum, says Dr. Laura Martin, senior director of science interpretation and content for the Arizona Science Center, “brings solar energy to life for students and also really allows them to develop an understanding of how energy profoundly affects their lives. This is technology being developed today for use now and in decades to come.”
Furthermore, says Jigar Shah, founder and chief visionary officer for SunEdison: “These teens are our future scientists, engineers, and policy makers. It’s important that they get a good understanding of how solar energy works now – before they enter college.”
Indeed, the prospect of reaching young teens – many of whom already learn about conservation, recycling, and other environmental issues – is key to offering kids a real solution to the issues they learn about. It provides them with something to work for, and open their minds to, as they prepare to enter more specific areas of study. Solar is a renewable resource that will, for these students, become a resource for quality employment as well.
Links:
MarketWatch
Posted on November 12th in Solar Information by Dan.