NEW CLEAN ENERGY EDUCATION PROGRAM IN MASSACHUSETTS

Energy Tools

The New England Science Center Collaborative will launch a project to increase awareness among Massachusetts residents that clean energy options are a solution to climate change with funding from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC).

The project will be a collaboration between the Boston Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and the EcoTarium in Worcester, under a grant from MCT's K-12 Education Program, which provides educational tools and programs on renewable energy to science centers and the schools they serve through their outreach programs.

The materials for this project have been developed for a similar effort in Connecticut under a contract with the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. The Connecticut Science Center Collaborative has created a series of interactive activities using a wind mill, fuel cell car, and solar cells that educators from science centers use to engage students in learning about renewable energy.

Ten science centers in Connecticut have participated in the development, testing, and evaluation of the materials for this project. These materials have been assembled into kits modeled after the Collaborative's Climate Change Backpack, a collection of hands-on experiments, case studies and lesson plans packed in a portable backpack that can be used to teach about climate science and solutions to climate change.

Like the Backpack, each of the renewable energy kits is designed for use in a variety of venues. The Massachusetts program will reach a total of about 8,000 adults and children through programs conducted on the museum floors and in schools. The Museum of Science and the EcoTarium will use the kits on their exhibit floors with the help of staff and docents to guide their visitors' learning experiences. The New England Aquarium will use the kits in high school programs and teacher trainings.

For more information about this program or to find out how to attend a scheduled workshop, please contact Karin Jakubowski at kjakubowski@cleanair-coolplanet.org