Abstract
Background. The major challenges that prevent the wide-scale adoption of emerging personal clean energy production are unawareness and low self-confidence. We tested a hypothesis that a combination of a new technology and educational methods could lead to the increase in awareness of children to clean energy possibilities and to an increase in self-confidence in applying them. Methods. Here we report on a toolkit that combines low carbon, clean energy source, Zn/Cu/potato batteries, sufficient to power light-emitting diodes, with a non-formal education by experience program, based on case studies and hands-on experience with battery assembly for 6-11 years old children, led by trained 12-14 old youth leaders. Results. The results show that the education experience increased the awareness of the children to produce electricity at home from unconventional, yet available raw materials and their self-confidence in being able to do this (p=0.008). Conclusions. The developed toolkit supports environmental and energy literacy education through non-formal training, increasing awareness and self-confidence in childrento actually apply this in their living environment to produce clean energy.
Highlights
Children are the decision-makers of the future and will bear the brunt of the energy-environment- climate crisis[1,2,3]
The USA Department of Energy Literacy guide stays: Without a basic understanding of energy, energy sources, generation, use and conservation strategies, individuals and communities cannot make informed decisions on topics ranging from smart energy use at home and consumer choices to national and international energy policy[4]
Zn/Cu/potato battery assembly We developed an easy to use toolkit for light generation from light-emitting diode (LED)
Summary
Children are the decision-makers of the future and will bear the brunt of the energy-environment- climate crisis[1,2,3]. We tested a hypothesis that a combination of a new technology and educational methods could lead to the increase in awareness of children to clean energy possibilities and to an increase in self-confidence in applying them. We report on a toolkit that combines low carbon, clean energy source, Zn/Cu/potato batteries, sufficient to power lightemitting diodes, with a non-formal education by experience program, based on case studies and hands-on experience with battery assembly for 6-11 years old children, led by trained 12-14 old youth leaders. The results show that the education experience increased the awareness of the children to produce electricity at home from unconventional, yet available raw materials and their self-confidence in being able to do this (p=0.008). The developed toolkit supports environmental and energy literacy education through non-formal training, increasing awareness and self-confidence in children to apply this in their living environment to produce clean energy
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
