Sustainability and STEM: Teaching Students About the Future of Green Energy

This blog is inspired by and references Lectec’s article, “Sustainability and STEM: Teaching Students About the Future of Green Energy,” originally published by the Lectec Team on November 4, 2024.

As the world faces increasing environmental challenges, the need for innovative solutions has never been greater. STEM education is a powerful tool in preparing students to tackle these challenges, and Lectec is at the forefront of this movement. Their electric rideable STEM kits—featuring skateboards and scooters—help students explore green energy concepts while developing essential engineering skills.

Why Sustainability Matters in STEM

Sustainability is about meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. With growing global populations and increasing energy demands, it is crucial to develop technologies that minimize environmental harm. According to the United Nations, sustainability is integral to ensuring a livable future, affecting areas such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, and responsible resource use. By integrating sustainability into STEM education, students gain the tools to develop innovative solutions for challenges like carbon emissions and renewable energy.

How Students Benefit from Learning Sustainability

Early exposure to sustainability concepts fosters environmentally responsible behaviors and inspires students to explore careers in green technology and environmental science. Studies from the National Environmental Education Foundation highlight that students who engage in sustainability-focused learning develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, preparing them to tackle real-world environmental challenges with creativity and confidence.

Lectec’s Approach: Sustainability Through Hands-On Learning

Lectec’s Learning Management System (LMS) provides a comprehensive educational experience centered around Personal Electric Vehicles (PEVs). Through structured modules such as Gather, Analyze, Innovate, and Narrate, students explore energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, and electric vehicle mechanics. Each module includes video lessons, interactive games, and practical activities that engage students in understanding and experimenting with PEV components like batteries, motors, and circuits.

Lectec’s hands-on electric vehicle kits emphasize sustainability by integrating real-world environmental lessons directly into their curriculum. Two key lessons in the LMS focus on the environmental impact of transportation and the materials used in electric skateboards:

• Carbon Emissions Lesson: Students analyze the carbon footprint of various transportation methods, including electric skateboards, learning how they compare to traditional vehicles in terms of energy capacity and emissions.
• Sustainability & Resource Use Lesson: Students explore the environmental implications of materials used in electric skateboards, researching the global impact of resource extraction and considering sustainable alternatives.

Through these lessons, students not only engage with STEM concepts but also gain a deeper understanding of how they can contribute to a sustainable future by analyzing the ecological impacts of the transportation industry. Lectec’s curriculum ensures that students grasp the importance of green technology while developing practical problem-solving skills.

WhyMaker and Lectec: A Partnership for Impact

At Whymaker, we believe in providing students with the tools they need to become future innovators. By featuring Lectec’s rideable STEM kits, we help educators bring sustainability and engineering concepts into their classrooms. These engaging kits make learning interactive, practical, and inspiring—because the future of green energy starts with today’s students.

For more insights on sustainability and STEM education, read the original article from Lectec: Sustainability and STEM: Teaching Students About the Future of Green Energy.

Let’s empower the next generation to ride into a greener, smarter future!