STEM Projects using Green Healthcare, Green IT, and Climate Change

Abstract

In order to help solve the climate crisis, we need to involve everyone, worldwide, including students of all ages. Green Healthcare, Green IT (Information Technology), and Climate Change are excellent projects for both STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and STEAM (STEM + arts) students. That’s because all students are familiar with healthcare and climate change and with Information Technology (IT) through the use of their PCs, laptops, iPads, smart phones, and all the social media used with those devices. Thus energy efficient healthcare, IT (or Green IT), and climate change are areas that should grab their interest, no matter whether they are interested in technical fields or the arts. Also, many schools throughout the world use IT as a tool with their instruction. Students of all ages can be involved since Green IT is an excellent way for both STEM and STEAM students to contribute. The UN Climate agreement on reducing carbon emissions reached in Paris during December, 2015, as well as all the climate events in 2018 continue to raise awareness to the urgent need to reduce electricity use through efficiency. Green IT is an excellent way to reduce electricity use and save money doing it. This paper includes case studies based on the author's experiences with energy efficient computing and experiences discussing Green Healthcare, Green IT, and Climate Change with STEM and STEAM students.