• Overview
• 
• Philosophy

Maine Energy Education Curriculum Project

The Maine Energy Education Curriculum Project is a three-year project to develop a coherent set of standards-based energy education curriculum materials for Maine students in grades 4-8. These "energy neutral" curriculum units will consist of 7-12 lessons that follow a conceptual storyline. Materials mindful of Maine students and designed with consistent pedagogy will be developed for three grade spans: Grades 4-5, Grades 6-7, and Grades 7-8.

The project includes the development and publishing of print (grades 4-5, 6-7) and multi-media (grades 7-8) curriculum materials. The inclusion of multi-media elements in the Grade 7-8 materials will complement the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI). The project also includes the development of a companion website that will serve as an up-to-date supplementary resource for Maine teachers and students utilizing the Maine Energy Education Curriculum. Development of the Maine Energy Education Curriculum will occur over a three-year cycle and will be built around a cycle of curriculum development, field-testing of materials, refining of materials, and teacher training. Development of the Maine Energy Education Curriculum will be guided by and is reflective of:

• National and Maine State Standards (proposed Maine Learning Results)

• Research-based findings related to energy topics, including commonly held understandings and ideas

• What has been determined to be developmentally appropriate for targeted students

• Appropriate (inquiry-based) pedagogy and rich learning contexts
   
• Interests of and relevance to Maine students

• The needs of Maine teachers for a coherent Maine Energy Education Curriculum, which includes professional development training, educational resources, and access to ongoing statewide support

Project Objectives:

1. To develop a set of coherent, standards-based, research-informed energy education curriculum materials for Grade 4-8 teachers. Specifically, three individual curricular units, each consisting of 7-12 lessons that follow a conceptual storyline mindful of Maine students and designed with consistent pedagogy, will be developed for the following grade spans: Grades 4-5 (print), Grades 6-7 (print), and Grades 7-8 (print and multi-media components).

2. To develop a companion website to the Maine Energy Education Curriculum to connect and support grade 4-8 teachers and students.

3. To provide varied structures (face-to-face and online) and opportunities for professional development for grade 4-8 teachers using the Maine Energy Education Curriculum, including "train the trainer" online workshops and support for implementers of the curriculum.