Goals and Objectives

Clean Energy, Energy Efficiency, Resiliency Focus

Clean Energy Workforce Connections

UN Sustainable Development Goal 1 (No Poverty): Clean energy job creation and economic opportunity

Climate Change/Climate Justice Connections

Primary: SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

• Target 7.1: Universal access to affordable, reliable energy services
• Target 7.2: Increase share of renewable energy globally
• Target 7.3: Double the rate of improvement in energy efficiency

Secondary SDG Connections:

• SDG 1 (No Poverty): Clean energy job creation and economic opportunity
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Energy justice and equitable transitions
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): Clean energy as climate solution
• SDG 16 (Peace and Justice): Resource conflicts and sustainable peace

SanDiego350 Partnership Elements:

• Guest speakers from local clean energy advocacy
• Student presentations to SD350 members for feedback
• Connection to local environmental justice campaigns
• Mentorship opportunities with clean energy professionals

Evidence of Student Learning (assessments) 

1. Clean Energy Career and Article Analysis Project (20% of unit grade)

• Research 3 clean energy career pathways with education requirements and growth projections
• Collect and analyze 4 articles on energy justice and SDG progress
• Interview or research profile of clean energy professional
• Written synthesis connecting career opportunities to social justice themes from literature

2. Literature Circle Participation and SDG Connections (30% of unit grade)

• Daily participation with focus on connecting novel themes to sustainable development
• Reading journals tracking environmental and economic justice themes
• Character analysis examining responses to resource scarcity and injustice
• Final creative project showing connections between historical and contemporary issues

3. Research Paper: Historical Lessons for Clean Energy Transitions (35% of unit grade)

• 5-paragraph essay connecting current energy justice issue violations to those that occurred in the past
• Minimum 8 credible sources including SDG data, policy documents, and advocacy materials for annotated bibliography / 3 minimum for final essay
• Clear thesis on how historical lessons can inform equitable clean energy transitions
• MLA format with proper citations, including a Works Cited page
• Policy recommendation based on research findings

4. Advocacy Presentation and Class Participation (15% of unit grade)

• 10-minute presentation proposing clean energy solution informed by historical analysis
• Daily discussions connecting literature to current events
• Peer feedback on research and presentations
• Engagement with SanDiego350 and Youth4Climate partnership activities
  

Instructions for Learning Activities

• Week 1: Historical Context and SDG Introduction
  • Introduction to UN Sustainable Development Goals with focus on SDG 7 (Clean Energy)
  • Formation of literature circles with WWII novels (focus on themes of resource control, displacement, environmental destruction)
  • Begin novel reading with guided questions connecting to resource scarcity and power
  • Introduction to San Diego 350 partnership and local clean energy initiatives
  • Initial exploration: How did resource control contribute to WWII conflicts?
• Week 2: Energy Justice and Historical Patterns
  • Continued novel reading focusing on economic and environmental factors in historical conflicts
  • Research workshop: Finding credible sources on energy justice and SDG progress
  • Introduction to clean energy career exploration project
  • Analysis: How do historical patterns of resource exploitation continue today?
  • Guest speaker: San Diego 350 representative on local energy justice work
• Week 3: Clean Energy Solutions and Career Pathways
  • Literature circles: Analyzing themes of resistance, innovation, and rebuilding in novels
  • Research focus: Clean energy technologies and job creation (solar, wind, storage, efficiency)
  • Article project: Collecting contemporary sources on energy transition impacts
  • Career exploration: Interview project with clean energy professionals
  • Connection: How do historical examples of resilience inform current solutions?
• Week 4: Data Analysis and Environmental Justice
  • Novel discussions: Environmental destruction and recovery themes
  • SDG data analysis workshop: Tracking clean energy progress globally and locally
  • Environmental justice case studies: Who benefits/suffers from energy decisions?
  • Research paper outline development
  • Focus question: How can clean energy transitions address historical injustices?
• Week 5: Synthesis and Solution Development
  • Novel completion and final literature circle discussions
  • Research paper drafting and peer review
  • Solution brainstorming: Student proposals for equitable clean energy initiatives
  • Preparation for advocacy presentations
  • Reflection: What lessons from literature apply to current challenges?
• Week 6: Advocacy and Presentation
  • Final research paper completion
  • Student advocacy presentations: Proposing clean energy solutions informed by historical analysis
  • Novel project presentations connecting literary themes to SDG goals
  • SanDiego350 partnership showcase: Student recommendations for local action
  • Unit reflection and commitment to ongoing engagement

Resources and Materials