Education
STEM Resource
Jan. 2023: The Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) is a new member of the Philly STEM Ecosystem. SIAM is a nonprofit association based in Philadelphia with over 14,000 members internationally. We focus on fostering the development of applied mathematical and computational methodologies to solve real-world problems through publications, research, and community. We also work to bridge the gaps between academia and industry and offer career fairs, workshops, and more to support students and teachers at all levels in exploring applied mathematics.
K-12 Engineering Curriculum
Nov. 2022: Check out the hands-on, design-based engineering curriculum for K-12 grades. For more information, click here.
PSEA’s 5th Grade Curriculum now available
In response to the tremendous interest in solar energy among young people, the Philadelphia Solar Energy Association (PSEA) has written 5th grade science curriculum, exploring solar energy and its role in helping to address climate change. We are currently working on 6th grade science curriculum and hope to have that available late in 2022. Thanks to the generous support of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), we are able to make this curriculum available to teachers and other educators FREE of charge.
This curriculum is consistent with the current Pennsylvania Science Standards and the Next Generation Sustainability Standards.
In order to continually improve and update the curriculum, we would love your feedback, ie. if you use it, how well it works for your students, and any ideas you have on how it can be improved. Feel free to contact me with any questions, ideas or concerns. To download the 5th grade curriculum, please email Liz Robinson, lizhrob2@gmail.com.
As a non-profit organization, any and all contributions to PSEA will help our continuing work.
Thank you, Liz Robinson, PSEA Executive Director
Bright Solar Futures Trains for Solar Jobs
July 2022: The Philadelphia Energy Authority's (PEA) Bright Solar Futures (BSF) Program. BSF is a 3-year, 1080-hour Career and Technical Education (CTE) vocational program - the first of its kind in the nation - that launches young people into future clean energy jobs. Students train in solar and battery storage installation, design, sales, weatherization, construction basics, and job site safety. This program is offered at Frankford High School in Philadelphia.
As part of this program, PEA and its partners developed a portable curriculum, meant to be shared with other school districts nationwide who are interested in starting a similar program.
Linked here is an interest form to collect contact information for folks who would like to learn more, including information on our virtual curriculum rollout this September.
Envisioning the Clean Energy Future
Jan. 2022: With all of the amazing breakthroughs and advancements towards a clean energy future this past year, it’s exciting to imagine what our clean energy future will actually look like. As technology advances, prices continue to plummet, and more and more localities begin to see the benefits, it can help to envision what that looks like in our own lives. Visualizing the future you want with positive expectations can help you make the changes you need to in order to create it, and motivate us to achieve those expectations (instead of just fantasizing about them). To read more.
Free Science Summer Programming Available
Jan. 2022: Community-based and Out-of-School Time organizations may apply to receive free science summer programming. Accepted organizations will receive training for educators, kits of materials, and may opt-in to a field trip to The Franklin Institute! Applications are due by February 11 and will be accepted on a rolling basis. The Franklin Institute is pleased to announce the release of applications for summer of 2022 participation in GSK Science in the Summer. Please review the application webpage for details. Reach out to the program team at scienceinthesummer@fi.edu with any questions.
A Solar Glossary Available
Wondering about the meaning of a term used in the solar world? A "Glossary of Solar Energy Terms" - https://solarpower.guide/solar-energy-glossary was created, which is great for both kids and adults. Check it out!
Free Educational Climate Modeling Simulation Tool
Oct. 2021: En-ROADS is a transparent, freely-available policy simulation model that gives everyone the chance to design their own scenarios to limit future global warming. You can try your own experiments and assumptions, and get immediate feedback on the likely impacts. The simulation, developed by Climate Interactive, Ventana Systems, and MIT Sloan, runs on an ordinary laptop in a fraction of a second, is available online, offers an intuitive interface, has been carefully grounded in the best available science, and has been calibrated against a wide range of existing integrated assessment, climate and energy models. Click here to learn more.
Solar Schools
Oct. 2021: Over 7,300 schools across the country are now powered by solar installations! These schools save money on electric bills, educate students about clean energy, and ensure a brighter future for our next generation. A dramatic decline in the cost of solar panels — combined with new financing options — has now made solar widely accessible, creating tremendous untapped potential among the majority of our schools still without solar.
In September 2020, Generation 180 released the third edition of Brighter Future: A Study on Solar in U.S. Schools. The Solar Foundation (now merged with IREC) was a partner on this report, along with the Solar Energy Industries Association. This is the most comprehensive study on solar at K-12 schools nationwide. Check it out!
STEM From Your Sofa!
Sept. 2021: STEM education is a must for today’s students and tomorrow’s workforce. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is looking to future generations to help shape clean energy innovations, and that starts now. Here at GTO, we are energizing the next generation of STEM students and professionals by expanding our STEM development activities and easing access to new ideas that drive change.… and you can access them from your sofa! To read more, click here.
Environmental Education Resources Available
July 2021: The Dept. of Environmental Protection’s Environmental Education and Information Center (EEIC) assists teachers and non-formal educators by conducting workshops, providing online lesson plans and sources of environmental curricula. The EEIC also does outreach to the general public through hands-on exhibits, the Teaching GreenOpens In A New Window newsletter, and addressing questions at major events such as the PA Farm Show, Home Shows, Ag Progress Days and others. To learn more:
Junior Solar Sprint
The Philadelphia Solar Energy (PSEA)’s Manuals for the Junior Solar Sprint are available to download free of charge. Thanks to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for their original work, from which we borrowed heavily, and to CUSP for a grant to update these materials.
Please visit: Introduction to Building a Model Solar Car and the Guide for Teachers and Mentors.
Due to the Coronavirus, PSEA also developed an on-line training for the Solar Sprint and implemented the training over the course of 5 weekly sessions in the Spring of 2021. These PowerPoints will be helpful to classroom teachers whether you’re training students remotely or in-person.
Here they are: 1 Intro and Skateboards. 2 Transmission 3 Building on up & 4 Solar Energy.
Solar Curriculum
PSEA has been developing curriculum to deepen students’ understanding of solar energy and its role in addressing climate change. Our efforts to date are focused on 5th grade science curriculum. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Liz Robinson at lizhrob2@gmail.com.
