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This web site is designed for middle and high school students, their teachers and their parents. The more advanced elements of the lessons are applicable to college-level courses. The site includes lessons and activities that develop specific skills and knowledge students are expected to learn in science, mathematics, economics and social sciences and politics. Energy supply, conversion and use is central the quality of life for all people. It is our hope that students, teachers and parents will develop a better understanding of energy and its complex interrelationships.

Mathematics, science, economics, social and political science teachers will find a list of student lessons and activities with keys to subject matter standards.

As students work through one or more of the standards-based lessons they will be exposed to the following concepts:

• Energy and the environment are linked — students will compare the amount of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, emitted to the atmosphere as a result of energy use choices in their homes.
   
• Quality of life can be increased without increasing energy use — students analyze the impact of energy efficient options for services, such as lighting and heating that provide for conveniences, comfort, and entertainment
   
• Achieving energy efficiency is an investment, not an expenditure — students analyze the impact of energy efficient investments on their annual energy costs.
   
• Understanding and managing energy use requires concepts and information from many areas — Students will learn that planning for an energy efficient future involves knowledge of science, mathematics, economics and social science.
   
• Modeling (using computer simulation tools) is central to science, but can have severe limitations. "The map is not the territory." Scientists who use models need to have a healthy skepticism about their predictive power.

At the core of the Energized Leaning site is a interactive web-based energy calculator and home energy audit toolkit developed by the US Department of Energy scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The Home Energy Saver is a professional-level tool that is used in predicting building performance, guiding design and assisting policy makers around the world. The HES web interface has made it available, for the first time, to students and the general public. We suggest beginning with the warm-up exercise.