Science Alive

K-12 Teacher Professional Development and Curriculum

EnergySmart Education

Science Alive works to improve STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education, prepare students for STEM careers, reduce energy usage among teachers, students, and schools, and reduce the environmental impacts from energy and water consumption. The Science Alive program also provides teacher training, Green Boxes, school support, field trips, and a speaker series for pre-K-12 educators with an emphasis on energy, energy efficiency, and related topics. 

Curriculum and Resources

The Southwest Gas EnergySmart Education Programreinforces energy concepts from curriculum and teaches lifelong lessons on energy and water efficiency. Fourth grade students and teachers receive Take Action Kits containing energy saving devices. The program also provides an engaging assembly filled with experiments and educational activities empowering participants to be leaders in energy efficiency. Find out more about the program and register here.

The contents of a Science Alive Green Box

Each Green Box is a self-contained teaching kit that provides educators with a unit of lesson plans along with all of the necessary supplies.

Participating Schools and Organizations

Over half of the participating schools are designated as Title I, in which more than 50% of the campus student population is eligible for the federal Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) program, a reliable indicator of poverty. Additionally, among the schools served in the current year by the EnergySmart program, 10 percent of the student population at the schools served are designated as Limited English Proficiency. See a current map of our EnergySmart School across Nevada.

Map of participating schools and organizations

Map of schools and organizations participating in the EnergySmart program

Professional Development

Each summer a 3 day STEM-based teacher training is held in both Reno and Las Vegas. Contact craig.rosen@dri.edu for our summer offerings.

Photo of EnergySmart professional development session

EnergySmart teacher training

 

Home Energy

Because we know students take home what they learn at school, we’ve developed tools to enhance energy education at home. Find home energy savings; NV Energy and Southwest Gas.

photo of lightbulb

EnergySmart Home Kits

The classroom Energysmart program will resume in the fall for the 2019-2020 school year.  Presentations will be conducted in October. Space is limited, so register early!

For questions, contact the Science Alive team at 775-673-7380 or by email at Chelsea.Ontiveros@dri.edu

Calling ALL Carson City School District 4th Grade Teachers!

Receive free Take Action Kits, educational activities, and teacher guide with activities.

Fourth grade teachers and administrators may register by clicking the link above. After school eligibility is determined, you will be contacted to schedule the assembly and set up deliveries of teacher materials and Take Action Kits.

Teacher Rewards

  • Energy Smart Rewards Info (Download)
  • Teachers must submit 80% or more of students’ Home Energy Worksheets online by the specified deadline, to earn the $50 gift card.

Program Documents and Resources

EnergySmart PSA

Public Service Announcements (PSAs) are videos created to raise awareness and change public attitudes and behavior toward a social issue. Effective PSAs often have a powerful message that sticks with the viewer, sometimes becoming part of a society’s collective norm.

 

Follow these four easy steps to enter the contest!

Step 1: Make sure you’re eligible to participate.
Is the city in which you attend school highlighted on the Eligible City List? Are you in grades 6-8? If you answered yes to both, we encourage you to submit a video.
Step 2: Print the Talent Release Form
This will need to be signed by a parent/guardian and uploaded to the Google Form. We may decide to share your video on our Facebook page or website, but we need your parent/guardian to give us permission to do so.

Step 3: MAKE AN AWESOME VIDEO! Your PSA should show viewers why conserving energy is important and highlight at least two ways that people can use less energy in their home, at school or in the community. Videos will be judged on how clear and understandable the energy saving tips are & overall quality (visually appealing, sound, etc.).

Review the guidelines for video length and group size on the flyer above.

If you need some inspiration, visit https://www.swgas.com/en/energy-saving-tips for examples of how people can reduce their energy consumption.

Step 4: Complete our Google Form (https://tinyurl.com/EnergySmartPSA).

 

Questions? Issues uploading your video? Please email ellen.israel@dri.edu

Sponsors:

Other Support From:

  • Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition
  • Center of Excellence
  • Southern Nevada Water Authority
  • Springs Preserve
  • Southern Nevada Regional Professional Development Program

Partners:

  • Envirolution
  • Government Office of Energy
  • Green Chips
  • US Green Building Council
  • Alliance for Climate Education

 

 

CONTACT

Mackenzie Peterson
Education Program and Curriculum Development Lead
Mackenzie.Peterson@dri.edu 

LOCATION

Desert Research Institute
2215 Raggio Parkway
Reno, NV 89512

DIVISION

Office of Education