Happy New Year, from Switch Energy Alliance! We hope that you were able to take some time over the winter holidays to rest and recharge. 2021 was a year full of challenges, especially for teachers and students. Some went back to school in-person for the first time in a year, some continued to teach or attend school virtually, and some tried to balance doing both. At SEA, part of our mission is to provide an easy-to-use online learning platform with a curriculum that makes learning about energy accessible and engaging, regardless of where it is being used.
In pursuit of that goal, last year we made several improvements to the Switch Classroom platform, including the ability for teachers and students to create accounts using an existing Apple, Google, or Microsoft email address, eliminating the need to remember another username and password. We also made the platform more flexible, allowing teachers to assign only the parts of a lesson they want. Teachers can also now download grades for a single student or an entire class as a spreadsheet, allowing for an easier transfer of grades from our platform to a gradebook. Finally, teachers can send submitted work back to a student with comments, allowing for more dynamic teacher-student communication within the platform itself. These improvements to Switch Classroom and more are detailed in our updated Teacher Guide.
This year, we’ve already made several exciting additions to the Switch Classroom curriculum. We took our celebrated global energy documentary, Switch On, and divided it into a seven-part series, with each episode lasting about a half hour. Now, the Switch On episodes are available on Switch Classroom, along with quizzes to test student understanding of the concepts covered. These episodes and accompanying assessments can be found in the Energy Decisions Unit under Global Challenges: Switch On Episodes.
Additionally, in response to teacher requests for more quantitative exercises, we’ve added math activities to several lessons throughout our curriculum.
We hope you find these improvements and new resources useful as we move into 2022. As always, if you have concerns or feedback, you can reach the Switch Classroom team at classroom.support@switchon.org, and we will respond as soon as possible. We have more exciting updates coming, so be sure to check the blog often for future announcements!
Mary Tibbets, MSc
Manager of Educational Programs
Switch Energy Alliance, Austin, TX
The insightful full-length energy documentaries, Switch and Switch On, feature Dr. Scott Tinker as he explores the world’s leading energy sites. Ideal to kick off an energy unit, review before assessing, or to celebrate the end of year, Switch Energy Alliance‘s documentaries bring global energy solutions and challenges into perspective. While clips from the Switch…
In Switch Classroom’s Carbon Capture and Sequestration lesson, Dr. Julio Friedmann, a renowned research scientist, shares his expertise in carbon management. Interviewed by Dr. Scott Tinker, Founder and Chairman of Switch Energy Alliance, Friedmann’s unconventional career path underscores the importance of curiosity and adaptability. From music studies to carbon management leadership, his journey inspires students…
Energy consumption often flies under the radar of everyday awareness. A paradigm shift of energy efficiency for students is needed. Switch Energy Alliance Founder and Chairman, Scott Tinker, presents a compelling thought: “How can we save energy if we rarely think about it? If energy awareness becomes a cultural norm, efficiency will too. It’s time…
Prepare Your Students for the AP Environmental Science Exam with Math Problems and Conversion Practice Are you looking for effective ways to ensure your students are fully prepared for the upcoming AP Environmental Science (APES) exam? Look no further than Switch Classroom! Our comprehensive and free platform offers a wide array of resources designed to…
The Earth and Environmental Science quick start guide is versatile and useful for middle school to high school educators. The lessons in this guide can be used as both core and supplemental resources for an environmental course or unit. With sixteen lessons, there is something for everyone! Educators can choose which lessons align best with…
The most popular lesson in March unleashes the power of wind energy! The Introduction to Wind lesson focuses on wind power as one of the fastest growing sources of energy, guiding students to discovering the trade-offs necessary for a balanced and successful energy transition. Start with the brief Wind Primer introduction video. It lays out…
Switch Classroom’s no-prep lesson “Energy Efficiency” is the perfect supplement to the Earth Day focus of this month. It kicks off with a compelling video that students love. Dr. Tinker introduces students to the idea that energy efficiency is the most important step we can take in energy. Two important considerations are shared: eliminate wasteful…
Level up your Chemistry curriculum energy unit with our specially curated Chemistry Quick Start Alignment Guide. Designed for high school chemistry teachers, this guide offers a wealth of free teacher, made-teacher ready energy resources for your course. Addressing Educational Challenges Finding high-quality, non-partisan, and engaging materials for energy-related topics can be a daunting task for…
In the realm of science and innovation, Shirley Ann Jackson stands as a beacon of inspiration for women in STEM and all aspiring scientists. Her remarkable contributions to the field of energy have not only reshaped the landscape of technology but also paved the way for future generations of STEM enthusiasts. Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson,…
We are thrilled to introduce Grace Stanke, a remarkable individual who is making waves both in the world of nuclear engineering and on the pageant stage. Named in the prestigious 2024 Forbes 30 under 30 for Energy list, Grace is not only a national advocate for nuclear power but also a shining example of excellence…
Welcome to the March edition of the Switch Classroom newsletter! We’re excited to shine a spotlight on an important cause: recognizing the invaluable contributions of women in STEM. In this edition, we delve into how women have shaped the energy landscape and why promoting gender diversity in STEM fields is crucial for continued innovation. Why…
Switch Classroom loves EurekAlert!, a non-profit science news-release distribution platform managed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). This helpful resource is updated hourly and will keep you up-to-date with scientific research in all disciplines. Educators and students can browse news releases by subject or use the direct links for various topics…
Lesson planning is easy with Switch Classroom! The Switch Classroom team is committed to ensuring that the platform is user-friendly and intuitive for educators, students, and parents. For educators getting started on creating lesson plans that align with your curriculum and goals, head to the Create Assignments page in Switch Classroom for a quick way…
Dr. Scott Tinker, Founder and Chairman of Switch Energy Alliance, delved into the intricate trade-offs between climate security, energy poverty, and energy security at the 2023 ARC (Alliance for Responsible Citizenship) Conference, with his talk, “An Honest and Sensible Conversation about Global Energy”, now boasting over 1.4 million views. This resource serves as a springboard…
Are you an upper elementary or middle school teacher, searching for energy resources and activities aligned to your instructional goals and curriculum? The 5th Grade General Science Alignment Guide is the perfect place to get a quick start on a variety of topics that get students excited about energy learning. Compiled by teachers across the…
The most popular NGSS and APES-aligned lesson in January was “The Energy Mix,” including the How We Make and Use Energy introductory video, which had over 17k views! In this lesson Scott Tinker takes students on a fascinating and compelling exploration of the different energy sources and their impacts. Engaging supplemental materials include a bell…
This month we focus on celebrating the life and work of Black American inventors, engineers, innovators, and scientists who have made a difference in the world of energy research and technology. These pioneers shaped critical features of our energy landscape, often without the recognition they deserved and while confronting prejudice and injustice. One such pioneer…
Exciting News! Switch Classroom now has a monthly newsletter full of practical, no-prep content that can be used in your classes today! Each issue promises educational resources, hands-on tools, and fascinating features to help you explore energy and environment with your students. This month, in honor of Black History Month, we celebrate the journeys and…