About

The sources and supply of energy in Iowa are highly reliable and, therefore, easily taken for granted.  As a result, student experiences with energy concepts beyond the classroom largely come from their role as users.  To ensure future reliability, skilled and professional workforces are needed.  Secondary science teaching in Iowa (grades 5-12) includes a number of standards related to energy.  The Iowa Secondary Energy Curriculum Project (ISEC) at the University of Northern Iowa has developed a curriculum that addresses these standards and includes connections to career pathways.  Topics include energy sources and generation, distribution, efficiency and use.  The curriculum is designed to initiate conversations between Iowa secondary students, teachers and parents about energy use in the home and workplace.  Activities purposefully include connections to careers in the energy sector to engage Iowa students at a time when many are beginning to formulate postsecondary plans and career pathways.