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Energy: A Multidisciplinary Approach for Teachers (EMAT)

Five white windmills on a snowy hill with a blue sky and white clouds.

Do we need more wind farms? Should I buy solar panels for my roof? Is my lifestyle contributing to climate change? These are relevant questions in today’s world. And the ability to answer them depends on an understanding of energy.

That’s why BSCS Science Learning developed EMAT. This free online course helps teachers frame complex energy concepts in a way that will resonate with high school students and prepare them to participate in important societal conversations. Supporting both teacher and student learning, EMAT includes six units: Coal, Nuclear Energy, Wind, Geothermal Energy, BioFuels, and Solar Energy. These units feature 34 engaging classroom videos, 30 content animations, and 20 interactive learning experiences.

This resource was developed in collaboration with Oregon Public Broadcasting, the National Teachers Enhancement Network of Montana State University, the National Renewable Energy Lab, and the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DRL 1118643. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

To self-register for the EMAT materials, click the 'Register' button. Once you have registered, you can access the course be clicking the 'Go to EMAT' button.

Professional learning leaders across schools and districts can request their own version of EMAT, complete with a facilitation guide, by contacting Jeffrey Snowden.