This resource features an interview with Angie Martinez, who is involved with the municipal switch to more energy-efficient LED lighting in the city of Pittsburgh.
Students will learn about her career path, why diversity is important, and why LED lighting is safer, healthier, more cost-efficient, and the most energy-efficient lighting available on Earth.
Teaching Tips
Positives
The discussion questions beneath the video could serve as writing prompts or discussion-starters for more in-depth classroom dialogue.
As a first-generation college student, Angie works to motivate others to achieve their dreams and to work for a more diverse representation of perspectives in climate careers.
Additional Prerequisites
This resource provides additional information about Angie's story, links to other solutions, and ways to take action that teachers can preview for background information or extension work.
Provide students the opportunity to watch this short video in order to learn more about other creative lighting solutions as a necessary method of adapting to climate change.
Teachers can encourage students to explore the links in the "Take Action" section and then discuss ways they can get involved in the fight for climate action.
Consider this activity as a way of giving students hands-on experience with LEDs and connecting the concept of renewable energy to power LEDs by building a small wind generator.
In order to give more context to the need for more energy efficiency, allow students to explore energy data by state and county, focusing on both Pittsburgh and their own communities.
Scientist Notes
LED lighting is regarded as the most affordable, effective, and environmentally friendly kind of electricity. As mentioned in the video, LED lighting systems are a significant subject that would help create sustainable smart cities. It is advised to use this resource when instructing.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
MS-ESS3-5 Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
HS-ESS3-1 Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
ETS1: Engineering Design
MS-ETS1-1 Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
HS-ETS1-2 Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 2: Civics
D2.Civ.10.6-8 Explain the relevance of personal interests and perspectives, civic virtues, and democratic principles when people address issues and problems in government and civil society.
Dimension 4: Taking Informed Action
D4.7.9-12 Assess options for individual and collective action to address local, regional, and global problems by engaging in self-reflection, strategy identification, and complex causal reasoning.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Speaking & Listening (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.3 Delineate a speaker's argument and specific claims, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.3 Evaluate a speaker's point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, assessing the stance, premises, links among ideas, word choice, points of emphasis, and tone used.
