Using a multi-disciplinary approach to understand energy and climate change
Giving students the tools to think critically about a real-world problem is a hallmark of the Hood River New School education. Examining a topic using multiple disciplines, such as literacy, science, and social studies, help students understand, retain, and develop their own conclusions. This trimester, to explore the environmental, social, and economic impacts of energy use on climate change, students read about deforestation in Todd Mitchell’s middle-grade fiction book The Namer of Spirits. While this fantasy novel captured the students’ attention with a gripping storyline, it also set the stage for discussions regarding human impact on the environment. During this unit, students’ used nonfiction text to study global energy sources and their impact on climate change. Weekly tests challenged students’ reading comprehension and study skills! While a final independent research paper taught students how to interpret, site, and summarize primary source material. In these research projects, students were asked to research both an energy use problem and present a potential solution.
The diverse range of projects can be seen through a few student examples:
Move Your Money - exploring investment opportunities in renewable resources
Hybrid Cars - understanding carbon impact and benefits of hybrid vehicles
Tap Water - why tap water trumps bottled water
Sustainability and the Fashion Industry - exploring the 2nd highest contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions