As we round the corner of winter, February finds students and teachers alike wholly absorbed in their quest for knowledge while simultaneously dodging the persistent grasp of cold and flu season. The annual celebrations of this wintry month create an opportunity for epic classroom moments, so why not embrace a more historical lens in your instruction? Engage students in activities that connect to history and historical figures, regardless of your subject area. As a high school teacher, your students may be more interested in thinking of next year’s schedules while the seniors are focused on their futures and college and career options.
So, what does this all have to do with energy? Read on to find out!
Black History Month
Black History Month provides an opportunity to highlight the historical contributions and achievements of Black Americans. Additionally, it’s an opportunity for educators to reflect on their curriculum to ensure that there is diverse representation throughout the year to encourage all students to consider careers in STEM fields. According to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, in 2020, Black students earned 5% of bachelor’s degrees in engineering. In 2021, 24% of individuals in the U.S. workforce were employed in STEM occupations. Black workers represented 9% of that total. Careers in energy are sometimes overlooked, yet there are over 8 million jobs in the energy sector and are available throughout the U.S. When learning about Black scientists, inventors, and engineers, many students have heard of Mae Carol Jemison and George Washington Carver, but what about David Crosthwait and Jessica O. Matthews? Or Frederick McKinley Jones and Carolyn B. Parker? These individuals have made significant contributions to the development and invention of energy products. Follow the links for more information:
National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics
Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Celebrates Black Innovators and Energy Pioneers
35 Scientists for Black History Month
Presidents and Energy
Presidents Day doesn’t exist in terms of Federal law, rather it is officially designated as Washington’s Birthday. A provision in the 1960s (Uniform Monday Holiday Act) led to the term ‘Presidents Weekend’ since it now included the celebration of Lincoln’s birthday. For the trivia aficionados, there are four presidents who had birthdays in the month of February (Washington, Lincoln, W.H. Harrison, and Reagan). President Benjamin Harrison and his wife Caroline were the first to live in an electrified White House. Since it was still such a novelty, they refused to the touch the light switches from fear of electric shock. Lyndon B. Johnson was known to turn off lights in rooms that he believed to be empty, although sometimes they were not. He earned the nickname, “Light Bulb Johnson”.
This leads to the present-day energy question: How energy efficient is the White House? An over 200-year-old building with 147 windows, 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, 28 fireplaces, eight staircases and three elevators, creates a sizeable challenge for even the most enthusiastic team of engineers and scientists. Nevertheless, this is worthy of investigation and perhaps a class project? Check out the following resources to get started:
White House Takes on Climate by Accelerating Energy Efficiency Projects Across Federal Government
How Energy-Efficient Is The White House?
Energy Efficiency at the White House
College & Career Paths
For Seniors, February is filled with the anticipation of the arrival of college acceptance letters, the initial inquiries to find a full-time job, and how to financially make it all work. For returning high school students, course registration meetings are scheduled, summer internship applications are completed, and the planning for their career interests begins to take shape.
Energy professions span a variety of college majors and certification programs. It is estimated that by 2050, there will be about 29 million jobs in the renewable energy sector. So where do students find these jobs and how do they qualify for them? They can begin by identifying the colleges and universities that provide degrees in the energy profession. U.S. News & World Report offers a list of 27 universities to consider. Students can also research utility company websites for job postings, internships, fellowships, and even free online clean energy training opportunities. Franklin Energy offers paid internships for undergraduates to learn about energy efficiency and sustainability. They also coordinate with the students’ universities for them to receive credit for the internship. Companies like Comed, Edison International, NYSERDA, and PG&E all provide a combination of scholarship and internship opportunities. If financial assistance is needed, check out these scholarship offerings for college degrees in energy-related fields:
Scholarships for women based on STEM studies
As the end of February draws near, don’t forget, it’s a leap year! Enjoy the extra day of teaching and learning. Spring is just around the corner!
Interested in learning more about one of our free, utility sponsored education programs? Now is the time!