Roman makes the case for teaching about energy in the book’s introduction: “Energy is absolutely essential to a high-tech, information rich, globally competitive society like ours. It takes energy to communicate between our many information sources and appliances like computers, tablets, and hand-held technologies.”
Roman suggests that in teaching about energy, teachers go well beyond energy definitions or mechanics; and he encourages students “to look at the interrelationships between energy and other aspects of our culture such as the environment, economy, society, and the legal and cultural concerns people may have.”
Roman tackles energy in five areas:
- The Basics of Energy
- Personal Energy Use
- Electricity Use
- Solar Energy
- Design Challenges
In the section on the Basics of Energy, Roman urges teachers to challenge their students to understand the energy content of various sources — including wood, solar, nuclear, fossil fuels, and even refuse — and then to “place energy in perspective,” looking at the environmental impacts of each on land, water and air. He also suggests students explore such areas as the benefits of energy conservation, the pros and cons of nuclear energy, and determining if the United States is energy independent.
Roman then suggests bringing the issues closer to home — literally. The author suggests having the students analyze their family’s electric bill — and then visit their local utility’s website to see where the utility gets the energy it sells their family. He suggests directing students to look at the the family car’s energy use; the energy efficiency rating on appliances (and how they can be used by a consumer); and then helping the class determine the energy use of their school — and even designing a school from scratch that might minimize energy use.
The section on Electricity Use suggests the class examine how utilities deliver electricity to homes; how the sources of electricity have changed over time; and how fuel cells, electric cars and wind energy might impact the electric system.
In the Solar Energy section, Roman notes that students find solar energy “fascinating, almost magicalwith energy coming down for free from the heavens.” He found that solar energy captures students’ interest and imagination; and he offers teaching ideas that would appeal to students of varying ages.
Roman suggests diving into the mechanics of solar, as well as what goes into finding a good site for a large-scale solar installation. Again, however, the author suggests having the students apply this knowledge to their own lives — by evaluating if their homes or apartment buildings, are a suitable site for solar. He also challenges students to discover why wind might be considered part of the family of solar power.
Roman ends with design challenges allowing students, or student teams, to apply their knowledge of energy. He suggests teachers “encourage students to be creative and bold in their ideas and designs”; but the author emphasizes “they should think in great detail — using math to justify their thinking.” The design challenges range from developing an energy island near high-energy use centers, or integrating wind into a conventional farm, to evaluating whether to install solar at a local park.
The audiobook, Engineering Activities in the Classroom, Volume 2: Energy in Our World is chock full of ideas to stimulate a student’s, or your child’s, mind. Available free for from the IEEE-USA Shop, it is the second audiobook in the series. The first audiobook, Engineering Activities in the Classroom, Volume 1 – Telecommunication and Computers is also available, as are all five e-books in the Engineering Activities in the Classroom series.
Harry T. Roman has 12 U.S. patents. He led R&D efforts at one of the largest U.S. combined gas and electric companies; contributing to the development of a corporate solar program, and overseeing a renewable research program covering solar thermal, solar electric, photovoltaics, and wind energy applications. In addition to leading challenges and visiting classrooms in New Jersey, Roman co-taught a unique graduate course about applying STEM techniques in the classroom at Montclair State University. Roman is an advisor/author to the Edison Innovation Foundation, and docent/special lecturer at the Thomas Edison National Historical Park, in West Orange, NJ.
