Black Leaders in Energy
Provided by: Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education|Published on: August 29, 2023
Grades: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Engineering
Authors: K-12 Energy Education Program, Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education
Region: Wisconsin
Languages: English
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this interactive lesson, students will learn about a variety of Black inventors, see how climate change is affecting Wisconsinites, and learn about the unequal effects of climate change experienced by some groups.
- Students will participate in a patent gallery walk, research different inventors and discuss in pairs, practice note-taking to assist with learning, and be introduced to renewable energy careers.
Teaching Materials
Prerequisites
- Review character traits with students and ensure they are able to name some.
- Consider defining terms terms like impact, exacerbate, vulnerable, representation, photovoltaics, and others prior to starting the lesson.
- Consider providing an introduction to global warming and climate change prior to using this lesson.
Interdisciplinary Connections:
- Geography:
- Students analyze and answer questions about the different maps in the "Climate Change is Harming Our Health in Wisconsin" document (or just in the executive summary from the document).
- English Language Arts:
- Students further analyze the figurative language in the Extreme Heat video, identifying metaphors and similes and analyzing the speaker's purpose in using them.
Differentiation:
- Direct students who struggle to read the patents to the videos listed at the top of slide 33.
Extensions:
- Show more examples of inspiring Black stories with LEAF's Journeys Guide Kit, which includes 20 copies of Project Learning Tree's Black Faces in Green Spaces: The Journeys of Black Professionals in Green Careers.
This resource from the Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP) is a wide-ranging lesson that introduces students to past and present black leaders in energy and technology. An excellent slide show is provided, as well as a student activity sheet. At every step of this lesson, students are challenged to conduct their own research and share their findings with their peers. The resource includes many links to informative videos, patents filed by black inventors and many additional resources to help students conduct independent research, both for the lesson and if they have a personal interest in a clean energy career. This resource is engaging, well-sourced, and is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
