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** Energy & Sustainability - 9th Grade **

 * = Unit 1. What is Sustainability? =

The century ahead poses challenges as formidable as any from millennium past. This unit provides a brief introduction to the challenges posed by rapid growth and development. The unit explores examples of sustainable and unsustainable practices. One company that strives to bridge the traditional divide between engineering and ecology is highlighted. The company profile familiarizes students with careers and professions that can address the sustainability challenges ahead. Tools used by scientists, engineers and planners to understand sustainability are also introduced in this unit (digital mapping, remote sensing, spreadsheets, mathematical modeling).

Approximately 30, 50-minute classes. || media type="youtube" key="FFCNCQleCuk" height="293" width="327" align="right" ||
 * Anticipated Length of Unit **
 * [[image:Screen Shot 2012-10-28 at 12.05.36 PM.png width="345" height="236" link="http://www.nae.edu/Activities/Projects/grand-challenges-project/Videos_grandchallenges.aspx"]] || = Unit 2. The Challenges =

In Unit 1 students identified the key challenges that keep humans from securing a sustainable world. In this unit, each of those challenges will receive closer scrutiny. Systems analyses, mathematical modeling, biological models and remote sensing data are used to examine the challenges analytically and to evaluate possible responses that may support the goal of creating sustainability.

Approximately 40, 50-minute classes ||
 * Anticipated Length of Unit **
 * =**Unit 3. Energy - Sun and Earth**=

Since energy is the source of all life on Earth, sustainable and renewable energy sources that balance the needs of ecosystems and human activity are essential. In this unit students are introduced to Earth's energy budget and energy technologies that can make direct use of energy from the Sun. Passive solar energy technology and wind energy discovery and exploration activities provide students with opportunities to employ science and engineering tools.

Approximately 50, 50-minute classes || || || = Unit 4. Energy Design Project **:**= =**Energy Efficient Model Home**=
 * Anticipated Length of Unit **
 * [[image:Screen Shot 2012-10-28 at 12.23.34 PM.png width="354" height="208"]]

In this final unit of the 9th grade curriculum, students will design and test their own scaled energy efficient buildings. The directed project requires students to apply engineering decision making, sketching, programming and documentation in order to complete and document and energy efficient building design.

Approximately 30, 50-minute classes ||
 * Anticipated Length of Unit **