I was invited to Cameron Park Elementary over in Hillsborough, NC last week to talk to some fifth graders. I came up with the following exercise that went over well, and thought I'd take a moment to share it with other educators out there in internet-land. It went a little something like this:

Problem: In order to reduce our use of fossil fuels to lessen the impact of global climate disruption, we need to change how we power our lives, from the energy used at home, to the food we eat, to the way we get around. Each of the three categories (Home, Food, and Transportation) represent about a third of our personal fossil fuel use, amounting to about one gallon of gas for each category per day, for a total of three gallons of gas per day per person. Over the next two years, we want to eliminate one of these gallons of gas used per day to help save the planet. Examine your own life and how you use energy, and construct a plan for reducing your fossil fuel consumption by one third (a total of 33 Points).

HOME (Total of 33 points)

5 - Using Power Strips for Electronics and Turning Them Off When Not In Use
7 - Hanging up Clothes to Dry Instead of Using Dryer
5 - Playing Outside For an Hour Instead of Watching TV
3 - Taking a Shower Instead of a Bath
3 - Turning Out Lights When Leaving a Room    
5 - Reading a Book Instead of Using the Computer
3 - Other Ways - Be Creative!
        
FOOD (Total of 33 Points)

7 - Start a Vegetable Garden
3 - Raise Chickens and Harvest Your Own Eggs
5 - Shop at the Farmers Market so Food Doesn't Have to Travel All the Way From California
3 - Eat One Less Candy Bar
5 - Construct a Solar Oven
3 - Other Ways - Be Creative!

TRANSPORTATION (Total of 34 Points)

5 - Walk to School with Parents
3 - Ride Bike to Friends House
7 - Carpool with Your Friend to Soccer/Hockey/etc Practice
5 - Take City Bus to Grandma's House
3 - Other Ways - Be Creative!