DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE NEWS RELEASE – Nearly two decades after its origin as a hands-on method of connecting Nevada’s students with cutting-edge environmental science, the Desert Research Institute (DRI) is proud to announce the return of its free science curriculum kits, renamed Green Boxes.
The Electrical Systems Green Box contains a full unit of curriculum and hands-on materials to educate students about energy efficiency.
Led by DRI’s GreenPower Program, which supports Nevada’s preK-12 educators in science-based environmental education by providing free tools, resources, and knowledge, the new Green Boxes offer local teachers a large, bright green suitcase filled with curriculum and teaching materials for one unit (two to three weeks) of instruction on topics such as water conservation, renewable energy systems and recycling.
The new Green Boxes are available free of charge to participating teachers and each one is aligned with Nevada State, Common Core and Next Generation science standards.
“These kits are made by educators, for educators,” said Amelia Gulling, DRI’s GreenPower Administrator. “Each box is vetted through our advisory committee of teachers and scientists and we have designed them to provide teachers with everything they need for a unit of environmental science, all the way down to the glue sticks and pencils.”
Currently there are Green Boxes available for grades 2-5 and 9-12. Gulling adds that Green Boxes covering more than two dozen additional topics are being prepared for all grade levels, K-12, to be distributed to Nevada’s public, private and home school classrooms.
“The program actively engages my students with the content,” said Heather Honig, a science teacher at Von Tobel Middle School in Las Vegas, who is using the NV EnergyWise Educators Electrical Systems Green Box created with support and funding from NV Energy. “We use the Green Box in our science and technology elective (Gateway to Technology: Green Architecture and Energy Efficiency). Through the hands-on activities provided in the kit students understand how energy efficiency and energy conservation impact their lives.”
The original DRI science box program began in the early 1990’s and focused on air and water quality, geology and earth sciences. The revitalization of this unique program is made possible thanks to generous funding and support from the Keyser Family Foundation. Individual Green Boxes focused on energy efficiency are sponsored by NV Energy and Sempra Energy.
For more information about the Green Box Program visit http://www.dri.edu/greenpower or call 702-862-5392.
