Our goal: TO EDUCATE. Together with a team of students at the University of California, San Diego and Professor Jan Kleissl lesson plans were developed for teachers to inspire K-12 students for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Most the the lesson plans were adapted from other resources and modified to fit California's educational standards. Special thanks to School Power Naturally of New York and Infinite Power of Texas for their comprehensive solar lesson plans.

Lesson plans were reviewed and modified to integrate Vernier LabQuest with sensors for temperature, light, UVA, and infrared temperature. Learn more information about the Vernier LabQuest and sensors here: LabQuest , sensors .

The lesson plans are creative, interactive ways for students to learn about environmental sustainability with a focus on solar energy and building energy efficiency. Increasing energy efficiency is a primary objective for achieving energy independence and environmental sustainability. Buildings consume 40% of total US primary energy and 72% of electricity, a large fraction of which is used for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC).