NOTE: The Content below is designed to be suitable for students at the
freshman college level with a good grounding in mathematics and physical
science. Some of the topics would need to be omitted or modified for
presentation at lower grade levels.
A. ENERGY:
1. Introduction.
2. Fundamentals.
3. Energy Sources.
4. Solar Energy Fundamentals.
5. Nuclear Energy Fundamentals.
6. Energy Conversion.
7. The Steam Engine and the Carnot & Rankine Cycles.
8. The Internal Combustion Engine and the Diesel and Otto Cycles.
9. Electrical Energy.
10. The Concept of Energy Flow.
11. Energy End Use.
12. The Energy Content of Manufactured Goods.
13. Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation.
14. Energy Systems and Modeling.
15. Social and Institutional Inputs to Energy Decision Making.
B. ENVIRONMENT:
1. Introduction.
2. The Water Cycle.
3. The Carbon Cycle.
4. The Energy Balance of the Earth.
5. Environmental Effects of Energy Extraction (At Source).
6. Environmental Effects of Energy Conversion.
7. Environmental Effects of Energy End Use.
8. Terrestrial Pollution (Air Water & Soil).
9. Acid Rain.
10. The Ozone Layer.
11. Global Warming.
12. Other Energy Induced Climatic Effects.
13. Radioactivity and the Special Effects of Nuclear Energy Use.
14. The Environmental Benefits of Increased Energy Efficiency and Conservation.
15. The Environmental Benefits of a Transition to Renewable Energy Sources.
C. ECONOMICS:
1. Introduction.
2. Big Coal and Big Oil.
3. Where do the Energy $$ Go? (Especially Minnesota's).
4. America's Love Affair with the Automobile.
5. The Security Interests of the United States (Especially in the Gulf).
6. Consumer Organizations and Lobby Groups.
7. Private or Public Control of Energy Supply and Demand.
8. Energy Legislation (Federal &/or State).
9. Energy, Pollution and Carbon Taxes.
10. Zoning Ordinances and Building Codes.
11. Urban Transportation and the Redesign of our Cities.
12. The Economics of the Bicycle.
13. Inter State Transportation (Passenger and Goods).
14. The Economics of Nuclear Energy and the Price/Anderson Act.
15. Energy Economics and the Second (Entropy) Law!
16. The Economics of a Transition from Big Coal & Big Oil to Big Renewable.
D. 3E CORRELATIONS:
1. Initial Awareness- Rachael Carson's "Silent Spring".
2. Second and Third Order Effects - Some Big Surprises.
3. Correlations from Agriculture - Feedlots, Fertilizers, Herbicides and Insecticides.
4. Correlations from the Construction and Building Industries - Asbestos, Toxic Fumes, Ventilation, Sick Building
Syndrome, Radon.
5. Correlations from Transportation - The Automobile, The Design of Cities, Smog, Congestion, Safety,
Convenience, Security of Oil Supply.
6. Correlations from Electrical Energy Generation - Clean Energy? Efficient? Safe?
7. The Ozone Layer - What Factors and 3E Correlations are Involved?
8. Acid Rain - What Factors and 3E Correlations are Involved?
9. Toxic Pollution - What Factors and 3E Correlations are Involved?
10. Green House Warming - What Factors and 3E Correlations are Involved?
11. Energy Conservation - What are its Impacts on the Environment and the Economy?
12. Energy Efficiency Improvement - What are its Impacts on the Environment and the Economy?
13. Renewable Energy - What are its Impacts on the Environment and the Economy?
14. Do We Have the Determination and Will to Make Our Environment a Better Place in Which to Live? What is the Alternative?