| The global energy crisis and the growing energy | | | | energy crisis. These students will have a better |
| consumption in the United States are two topics that | | | | understand the different tradeoffs that are needed on |
| environmentalists have been pushing to the forefront | | | | a daily basis to satisfy both energy usage and energy |
| of the media for a while. With the rising cost of fuels, it | | | | production. This program will not only allow the |
| is now apparent that we need alternative energy | | | | students to cultivate their thinking skills but foster |
| sources. There are plenty of ideas available on ways | | | | students that make informed decisions about their |
| to deal with this ongoing energy crisis, but the best | | | | energy usage. |
| way to ensure the future of our countries energy | | | | Information about simple changes the children can |
| independence is to educate the future generations | | | | make within their own homes to limit energy wastage |
| about our energy dependence on the world, our | | | | are also incorporated into the curriculum. The k 12 |
| current energy usage habits and to teach different | | | | environmental science curriculum will integrate age |
| usage habits, and to most importantly cultivate new | | | | appropriate hands-on activities to enhance the |
| ideas of energy sustainability. It was therefore a natural | | | | student's understanding of energy issues. These |
| progression to re- introduce and re-focus Energy | | | | programs will involve as much family participation |
| Sustainability into the curricula of the k 12 environmental | | | | possible. One way to do this is by encouraging the |
| science programs around the United States. | | | | families to sign an energy reduction contract which |
| The new updated curriculums address the different | | | | would encourage families to be accountable for their |
| energy production methods and treat each with the | | | | energy usage. This contract will include information |
| same importance, and discuss the energy demand | | | | about the home lighting energy saver programs that |
| habits of the United States and the role of the individual | | | | can be integrated immediately. The curriculum will also |
| in supporting these habits. The link between energy | | | | include the growing importance of other sustainable |
| and the society is the core of the program which | | | | energy sources like solar energy as an energy source |
| emphasizes the role of the individual to make the | | | | for water heaters, and for heating homes and |
| necessary changes. The curriculum includes all the | | | | greenhouses, wind energy, biomass energy and all |
| risks associated with each different energy production | | | | other alternative fuel sources. |
| method, its social implications, its costs and its | | | | This k 12 environmental science curriculum is designed |
| proposed benefits. This curriculum is age-appropriate, | | | | to encourage students to find ways to adapt their |
| and is designed to complement the student's level of | | | | family life to embrace and incorporate a lifestyle |
| understanding. The k 12 environmental science | | | | geared towards low energy usage. Encouraging a |
| program is also designed to educate students to have | | | | new generation to focus on the energy crisis is an |
| a better understanding of the energy situation and to | | | | investment in the future of our planet. |
| realize the importance of their role in the growing | | | | |