Renewable Energy Career Research Project

Middle School (6-7), ELA, CTE

by: Wyounda Horton and Elijah Watson 3-min. read

Solar panels installed in the green forest

Piedmont IB Middle and Ranson IB Middle Schools teach students the International Baccalaureate curriculum in conjunction with NC ELA and CTE standards.

All IB programs aim to develop internationally minded people who recognize their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet and help to create a better and more peaceful world. Moreover, this renewable energy career project teaches students the urgency and importance of learning about future careers to help the Earth.

Essential Questions

What do my interests, attitudes, and values say about my future career choice?
How is my personality and learning style connected to my future career choice?
What are the skills and abilities I need to have for my future career choice?

Time Needed

Time to prepare and set up materials: 2 Days
Time to facilitate the activity: 3 weeks
Time to wrap up/review: 2 days

Standards

The list of Standards is located here.

Activity

Part 1–Career Exploration: Resources

Students learn about their personal and transferable skills to help with future career choices
Introductory video about renewable energy, and the teacher discusses renewable energy
Students learn about the renewable energy jobs of the future

Part 2–Renewable Energy Career Project (Slide Deck to be presented using Shark Tank Format): Resources

Students are introduced to the renewable energy career research project template
Students select and start researching their renewable energy career
Students start their Renewable Energy Google Slides presentation and start preparing their Shark Tank three-minute pitch

Part 3–Renewable Energy Essay: Resources

Students start preparing their renewable energy essay
Students write and edit their essays
Students join the renewable energy essay competition

Wrap Up and Action

Teachers will assess students’ knowledge of the activity by participating in the Shark Tank competition and submitting their renewable energy essays.

Resources

Part 1 Resources:

Part 2 Resources:

Part 3 Resources:

About the Authors

Wyounda Horton is a middle school ELA teacher at Piedmont IB School in Charlotte. She earned her B.A. in Middle Grades Education from UNC-Charlotte. During her first years in the classroom, she was awarded the Optimist Hall Leadership Award for her service and program creation. In 2022, she received the Extra Yard for Teachers Award from UNC-Charlotte Athletics for her leadership as a mentor for beginning teachers. She has been a beginning teacher mentor for five years, and a Charlotte Teachers Institute Fellow (CTI) for the past two years (22’-24’). Ms. Horton serves as a Bosch B.E.S.T Grant Champion after receiving her Bosch Teacher Grant Award in 2021. Horton is pursuing her National Board Certification and recently presented at The North Carolina Association for Middle Level Educators (NCMLE) 2024 Inspire Conference. She leads her PLC at Piedmont, presents at monthly staff meetings, and runs programs like the school Spelling Bee. Ms. Horton is a true NC teacher leader.

Elijah Watson is a National Board Certified Career and Technical Education teacher at Ranson IB Middle School in Charlotte. Watson was awarded Teacher of the Year during the 2021-2022 school year. In addition, he received the Our Children’s Hero Award presented by the Black Child Development Institute – Charlotte (2022). Watson earned an M.B.A. from Strayer University and a B.A. in Finance from Morehouse College. In 2008, former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory recognized Elijah with the “Charlotte Mentor of the Year Award” for his involvement in the S.T.A.R.S. Academy. He was also awarded the Bank of America’s “Local Hero” Neighborhood Excellence Initiative (2011), the Presidential Service Award by the Morehouse College National Alumni Association (2010), and the North Carolina Medallion Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service (2008).