Curriculum

Educating the public is the key to success for ICE. For the past six months we have been developing a course in "sustainable sciences" as a way to share our knowledge and understandings. In March of 2008 we will begin teaching Junior high and high school students at the McCurdy School in Espanola, New Mexico. Also from this course we will be starting workshops for the public at large. We believe if the Earth's people understood the true abudance of this planet, that is available to us all, a more peaceful world would emerge. Below is the outline of the eight week course.

Week One: What is sustainability?

Sustainability begins on a personal level. In order to live happy, healthy & productive lives, sustainability aids in the creation of a lifestyle that provides support within our microcosm - physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. This search for personal sustainability and balance has a ripple effect on our surroundings, both locally and globally.
Human beings are connected to each other and their environment, and the more energy they spend acquiring harmony within themselves, the more harmony manifests within their community. Local, or community, sustainability investigates how humans can reduce their negative impact upon their environment through more efficient uses of renewable energy and natural resources. It also investigates how humans can create a more reciprocal relationship among themselves and the land, especially on a social and economic level. Community sustainability can reach a global audience, with proper education and experience, and encourage the broad development of global sustainability.

Week Two: Start with a seed.

A seed contains all of the knowledge it needs to grow into a plant, and with enough nurturing and devotion, the seeds unfolds into something greater than itself. Our human and planetary consciousness grow much like a plant, starting from a small bundle of knowledge, and with enough education and care, become more expansive and intelligent.
The class will plant a seed of their choice, and observe its life cycle, drawing parallels between its stage of development to our own levels of personal and planetary consciousness.

Week Three: NASA as a model of sustainability.

When NASA created the space program, they had to research all the different ways a human could survive in a foreign atmosphere. How will a human breathe? How will he stay at a balanced body temperature? What food and drink does he need to function? NASA also had to research beyond basic survival. Astronauts are scientists, and need to be able to function within higher levels of thought and consciousness in order to collect and process data. What sort of environment does that entail? Life on a space station, in a spaceship, or possibly on another planet requires a sustainable environment, and NASA provides us with information and living examples of how they can be created.

Week Four: Energy sources.

There are several different natural energy sources that we can harness in order to create renewable energy for our homes, schools and workplaces. These sources include: solar power, wind power, electromagnetic power, thermal power and hydroelectric power.

Week Five: Absorbing and storing energy.

Natural power needs to be stored, so it can be used at any time. There are several different types of storage mechanisms used to absorb the natural energy and transport it to different destinations. We will study about: batteries, photovoltaic panels, turbines, heat pumps, etc. We would also use a plant as a model for how to absorb, store and use our natural energy.


Week Six: Energy efficiency.

Saving energy by using more efficient household products is essential in a sustainable world. LED lights, energy-efficient appliances, passive solar heating and cooling---all these products help to preserve energy and ultimately reduce our cost-of-living. These products can also be used in businesses and schools.


Week Seven: Transportation.

Saving energy, the environment and money through more efficient transportation is critical at this time of global warming and high gas prices. There are several alternative options including the electric car and hybrid vehicles. More advances are made every day with hydrogen fuel cells, solar car ports, and other alternative energy possibilities.


Week Eight: Visit a sustainable home site.

The class will take a field trip to a sustainable home site, which will provide examples of everything discussed in class, and show that sustainability is a viable lifestyle option.


Note: All classes will incorporate text/articles that mirror it's topic. Also this coarse can and will be tailored to suite the needs of elementary, high school and college level students. Elementary students will reap the benefits of a 'show and tell' day format rather that a weekly schedule that is offered to high school and college.