Company Launches STEM Curriculum to Encourage Innovators
Itron Inc., a technology and services company dedicated to the resourceful use of energy and water, announced the launch of an interactive science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curriculum called “Resourcefulness: An Introduction to the Energy-Water Nexus.”
University of Texas professor Michael E. Webber, an expert on the water-energy nexus, and Disco Learning Media, a creative agency and educational consulting firm, developed the educational application. Itron is making this educational app available to students globally. The curriculum aims to improve water and energy literacy, encourage conservation and resourcefulness, and inspire the next generation of innovators.
“Itron recognizes that a growing skills gap exists in STEM-related fields. We want to encourage users to pursue paths in STEM-related fields of study and contribute to solving the challenges facing energy and water resources, including scarcity and increased demand,” said Sharelynn Moore, Itron vice president of global marketing and public affairs. “Our hope is to get more people involved in our industry, especially the next generation of talent. By introducing a new paradigm for solving problems in the utility industry that is tied to talent, we aim to inspire future innovators.”
Resourcefulness presents contemporary views of energy and water science in modular and flexible ways to meet the needs of 21st century teachers and students. Instructors can incorporate the curriculum as a resource in their environmental science classes. They can also integrate the learning content directly within their courses using project-based learning exercises and case studies contained within the teacher guide. Outside of traditional education, the lessons scale to short courses and brief breakouts focused on specific interactions between energy and water.
“Resourcefulness provides an innovative example of the potential of partnerships in education today. This educational app is the first of its kind to be provided through community partnerships between a corporation and school districts and other learning institutions,” Webber said. “Resourcefulness illustrates the next generation of educational material, which is delivered flexibly and dynamically across digital platforms, empowering students, teachers and learners of all ages to face the problems of the 21st century with the knowledge and perspective to build a more resourceful world.”
The first version of the app is targeted for secondary and higher education. Curriculum guides include standards mapping for Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) as well as advice to teachers and administration on how to incorporate the materials into their pre-existing classes or how to build new classes based on the material.
The educational app is available worldwide in the Apple App Store and the Google Play store phones and tablets. The desktop edition of the application will be available soon. Visit www.stem.guide to learn more.
Source: Itron Inc.
