Science Alive

K-12 Teacher Professional Development and Curriculum

Proudly sponsored by NV Energy and Southwest Gas, EnergySmart Education hosts numerous outreach programs to K-12 schools throughout Nevada to teach and promote energy consumption awareness and energy conservation. 

Calling all middle school educators and organizations that serve middle school-aged students,

Are your students ready for their chance to shine with their performance of a lifetime? The EnergySmart Education program is currently hosting a PSA Video Contest! Teams of 1-4 students are encouraged to create a short (under 2 min) video about the importance of saving energy here in Nevada and sharing ways the community can help save. You can find more information at tinyurl.com/PSAvideoNV.

Deadline to enter is April 2nd, 2023 at 11:59pm. For questions, please contact shawna.witt@dri.edu.

Calling ALL 4th Grade Teachers in northern and rural Nevada counties! – A FREE EnergySmart Home Kit is available to you!

In Fall 2022, 800 EnergySmart Home Kits were sent to 4th grade classrooms across Northern and Rural Nevada. This interactive energy activity reinforces energy conservation and water efficiency concepts from 4th grade NGSS Standards. The program provides an engaging presentation from our own “Dr. Megawatt”, empowering students to be leaders in energy efficient behaviors in their daily lives. Sign up to join the program in 2023 here!

    For questions about this program, contact Shawna Witt at shawna.witt@dri.edu. 

    This program is made possible by the generous support of Southwest Gas Corporation. 

    The EnergySmart Theater Troupe is a musical theater presentation for 2nd-3rd grade elementary classrooms in Nevada, sponsored by the Southwest Gas Corporation. Sing along with Lazy Lou the energy waster and a group of energy scientists as they learn about easy energy and water conservation techniques we can all implement. Prepare to have energy songs stuck in your head all day!

     

    EnergySmart Theatre Troupe Performances 2022

     

    Curriculum and Resources

    The Green Box program offers several energy efficiency and conservation focused curriculum boxes for use by Nevada educators. Available for a range of grades, each box helps students uncover how humans produce energy and learn strategies to reduce energy and water consumption in their daily lives. Interested in using an EnergySmart green box in your classroom? Visit our Green Box page. 

    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.

     

    All Nevadans are encouraged to view and use our Rewewable Energy Spotlight highlighting the various renewable energy resources in Nevada. Click the links below to learn about the energy companies, watch virtual tours and informative video clips, and explore all of the benefits of using each renewable energy source.

     

    View the Renewable Energy Spotlight!

    Click here for tips on how to use the Renewable Energy Spotlight. 

    Hydroelectric Energy Spotlight

     

    Solar Energy Spotlight

     

    Geothermal Energy Spotlight

     

    Biofuel Energy Energy Spotlight

     

    Watch the full Renewable Energy Spotlight!

     

    Sponsors:

               NV Energy Logo

     

    Other Support From:

    • Southern Nevada Water Authority
    • Springs Preserve
    • Southern Nevada Regional Professional Development Program
    • Envirolution
    • Government Office of Energy

       

       

      CONTACT

      Shawna Witt
      STEM Education Coordinator
      Shawna.Witt@dri.edu

      LOCATION

      Desert Research Institute
      755 E. Flamingo Rd
      Las Vegas, NV 89119

      DIVISION

      STEM Education