I came up with the idea of this project for my Alternative Energy class at Sierra Nevada College. Throughout the semester, while we learned about energy systems and sustainable construction, I thought to myself how weird it was that I hadn't been exposed to any of that material yet in my education. It got me thinking how much society and the planet would benefit from each generation being exposed to the ideas of sustainability much earlier in life. This is why I decided to create this project where I would go into a classroom and teach children, grade 4-8 about sustainability.
Understanding the market
There currently is no implementation of sustainability in the curriculum of early education. This is because, in order to add a new subject into education, one is usually eliminated. Those among eliminated curriculum are usually subjects such as art, music, physical education and recess time. This is why sustainability, rather than becoming its own course, needs to be incorporated into other classes such as science and English. This is easily achievable but facilitators are needed.
Project goals
One goal of this project is educate the youth about sustainability. The goal main of this project is to improve the future of planet Earth and the lives of the global citizens. It will achieved through education.
Design
For this project I designed a lesson plan and power point with the intention of educating young students about alternative energy systems and sustainable construction. The reason for this was because it is very important for children to be exposed to ideas of sustainability at a young age in order to ensure a better future. Then, I took my plan to a classroom of about 15 students grade 4-8. I presented my power point to the students. They were so interested and asked a ton of questions so I could tell they were engaged and actively learning. After my presentation, I asked the students to draw their ideal sustainable home in hopes that they would incorporate some of the sustainable construction ideas that I shared with them. All but a few students did and their plans were awesome.
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Conclusions
I found through my project that many children are already fired about about ideas of sustainability. Still however, I found that as I suspected, they have a lot to learn. Sustainability must be implemented into the curriculum of early education.
Contact details
Celia_mcguire@snceagles.sierranevadacollege.edu