Superintendents – we want YOU!

Are you in a community that has high energy costs?

Are your youth disconnected from their energy use?

Do you want a way to educate students in a fun, hands-on way about their energy use?

AK EnergySmart could be for you!

An energy literate public is necessary for a fiscally stable future for Alaska. AK EnergySmart is a tool that can help raise the energy literacy of K-12 students in Alaska. Read more below on why it’s important and how AK EnergySmart can help.

• The quality of life of many Alaskans is negatively impacted by high energy prices.
  • Energy bills can top $1,000 per month in places
  • Increased energy literacy will empower people to take action at the community level to make better energy use decisions

• The US Department of Energy states that Energy Literacy matters because it can:
  • lead to more informed decisions
  • improve national security
  • promote economic development
  • lead to sustainable energy use
  • help individuals and organizations save money

• The importance of energy education as a pathway to energy literacy is recognized nation wide.
  • Many organizations such as the National Energy Education Development Project recognize the importance of energy education and work hard to make it a part of public education programs nation wide by educating teachers and providing curriculum resources for free.
  • The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy states that “Energy efficiency is the least expensive, most quickly deployable, and cleanest of all energy resources, according to research by ACEEE and other organizations.” Considering energy efficiency as a resource makes sense. Alaska has (in the past) funded resource education initiatives (ARE).
  • According to the National Center for Science Education:
    • Energy literacy should be taught throughout grade levels in developmentally appropriate ways, in an interdisciplinary fashion
    • Few K-12 teachers have content or pedagogic background to teach energy literacy effectively – training for teachers should be a priority
    • Teachers will need well-tested curricular materials that can easily be integrated into already developed courses.
  • Energy Literacy education has been proven to make a difference in Alaska
    • A study from the Cold Climate Housing Research Center shows that homeowner participates in the Energy Rebate Program who take AHFC classes on energy efficiency save more energy than those who participate in the rebate program alone. Average savings of those who are educated through AHFC classes are 40 percent, compared to 33 percent for non-class takers.

• AK Energy Smart is one tool to increase the energy literacy of Alaska’s youth
  • The K-12 curriculum was developed in Alaska by knowledgeable partners and is relevant for our unique geographic, cultural, and economic circumstances.
  • The lessons are interdisciplinary and can be used to supplement what is already being taught in the classroom
  • AKES is aligned with Alaska English Language Arts and Mathematics Standards, the Alaska Science Grade Level Expectations, and the Next Generation Science Standards
  • The curriculum has been well received by teachers state wide and is being utilized as a supplemental resource at the district level of some districts (Kenai, Anchorage, Juneau and Fairbanks). See our testimonial page.
  • More than 10,000 students have been reached just by REAP staff since 2014 teaching AKES lessons

• Energy education should be focused on children – NOT only adults.
  • Energy awareness and values are largely formed during childhood (Zografaki, Menegaki & Tsagarakis, 2008).
  • 71% of parents who participated in a light bulb exchange (incandescent switched to CFLs) brought home by students said their children influenced purchase or behavior change on energy efficiency (from Alliance to Save Energy)

• Alaska’s leaders need to bring awareness to the importance of energy literacy and encourage districts to utilize resources like AKES
  • HB 306 Sec. 2 (3)(A) It is the policy of the State to support energy research, education, and workforce development by investing in training and education programs that will help create jobs for Alaskans and that address energy conservation, efficiency, and availability including programs that address workforce development and workforce transition.
  • SB 220 Sec. 18. AS 44.83.080 is amended by adding a new paragraph to read: (17) [the AEA is given the power] to promote energy conservation, energy efficiency, and alternative energy through training and public education.

Bottom line: Today’s students are today’s energy users and tomorrow’s policy makers. Increasing energy literacy of Alaska’s youth can have a positive impact on communities today.