This unit is designed to be used with average to lower ability high school juniors and seniors living in an urban New England environment. The majority of these students will end their formal education upon high school graduation. They tend to be interested only in the practical aspects of science, and not in abstract theory. The unit should take from four to six weeks to complete, depending upon the time spent on projects.
The purpose of the unit is to introduce to the students all aspects of energy use in the United States, with the objective of making him an “educated consumer. and an intelligent voter on energy issues. To this end, the subject will be treated in a general manner and will include a “little bit about a lot of things” rather than delve deeply into any one area.
It is not my intention to recommend any one course of action to the students. Rather, I intend to present as much relevant information about our energy situation as is feasible, and to arm the student with sufficient facts to make appropriate decisions in the future. It is also hoped that this information will be shared with the families of the students. Those choices appropriate for New England will be emphasized.
