Work in Progress: A Pilot Study to Assess the Impact of a Special Topics Energy Module on Improving Energy Literacy of High School Youth

An energy education program that embeds energy topics within a societal context that is meaningful to students may improve energy literacy and effectively prepare students to interpret energy issues and make sound actions and choices as voters, consumers, and professionals. High school environmental science students participate in a project-based energy module where they explore technical, environmental, societal, and economic concerns related to the production, delivery, and use of hydrogen fuel and fuel cells for transportation. In-depth assessment evaluates the course´s impact on students´ energy-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, as well as their feelings of general self-efficacy. The analysis uses a triangulated mixed-methods design, including pre/post written questionnaires, classroom observations, post-program focus group interviews, and post-program opinion surveys