During the past years, an abundance of inexpensive fuels has been available. This has led many of us to develop "bad habits" in terms of our energy use. As supplies become more limited, and more costly both to our pocketbook and in terms of damage to the environment, we are suddenly facing an energy dilemma. It is important that we become more wise and efficient in our energy use. This requires a personal commitment by students and a belief that they can, in fact, influence others to engage in more energy efficient behaviors.
Through combined and simultaneous efforts in science, mathematics, language arts, and social studies, students will learn about the importance of home energy management. They will also conduct an energy inventory of their home, review simple ways to increase energy efficiency in their home, and learn how to effectively communicate ideas about energy efficiency to others.
The focal point of the science portion of this module revolves around four investigations which students conduct in the science classroom. Each activity is designed to familiarize students with one of four important aspects of electrical energy use in the home. These areas include: air infiltration, lighting, appliances, and general energy waste resulting, for the most part, from the individual behaviors of the occupants. Students will become familiar with ways to increase home energy efficiency in each of the four topic areas. As a culminating experience students will be responsible for preparing, delivering, and explaining a final report to parents regarding energy use and efficiency in their home.
In the mathematics portion of the "You Make It Happen" module students will study how energy use varies over time. Monthly utility bills covering a one year period will provide data for student analysis. Students will construct and interpret graphs of monthly energy usage. They will then practice making inferences and developing convincing arguments, based on their data, as to the causes of monthly fluctuations in energy use.
The language arts portion of the "You Make It Happen" module involves students in the development of a video aimed at promoting energy efficiency. The steps involved in this process are designed to enhance student nonverbal and verbal communication skills, especially in the area of persuasion. Students will decide, as a class, on the format of their video. They will then write, direct, and produce the video. This student production will be used as a means of helping convince each student's family of the ease with which many energy efficient measures can be adopted.
In social studies students will study the history of home design in Iowa from the 1840s to modern times. This look into structural design will take on an energy perspective in that students will constantly be asked to look at and to create designs that capitalize on energy efficiency, given the available resources of the time period being studied. As a culminating experience, students will be asked to design an energy efficient dwelling of the future.
The amount of time required to complete tasks, discussions, and investigations will vary greatly with each school and within each discipline. It is suggested that the module begin at the same time in each of the four disciplines. The fact that students will be discussing a common theme in different classes adds strength to the program. However, do not expect the materials to be covered at the same speed in each class. It is perfectly acceptable if, for example, the social studies portion of the module takes 5 class periods while science and language arts take between 8 and 10 class periods.
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