Summer Science Pilot Project: Watts Up! Energy and Conservation
The Summer Science Pilot Project implemented the Watts Up? Energy and Conversation curriculum during the summer of 2012. Designed and developed by Techbridge, this 19-day curriculum is composed of four units of hands-on activities and icebreakers on the theme of energy conservation:
- In the introductory lessons, youth learn about the various forms of energy with a focus on electrical energy, including where energy comes from.
- Youth gain an understanding of the distinction between renewable and nonrenewable sources by reviewing the environmental impact of energy consumption.
- An energy audit provides youth with the opportunity to apply their knowledge by assessing how energy is used in their classroom and develop suggestions for how to be more energy-efficient.
- In the final project, youth develop a commercial on a topic related to energy conservation that they can share at a culminating science family event.
- The curriculum also includes supplemental resources such as take-home extension activities and kid-friendly science articles.
This report looks at the process of creating this curriculum, its implementation, and its success in getting girls excited about STEM topics.
The report then analyzes the results of the pilot and offers insights into the need for experienced staff, quality improvement opportunities, and learning that will be applied to later roll-outs.
Read Summer Science Pilot Project: Watts Up! to learn more about how new programs can be designed, tested and implemented.
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