Energy and Climate
a global leader in the energy transition.
Driving the Future
The Driving the Future after-school enrichment program focuses on explaining the concepts of a low-carbon future to elementary and middle school students. It includes teacher training, curriculum, classroom supplies, and on-site support, in collaboration with Children’s Museum Houston and Houston-area school districts.
The program introduces late elementary and early middle school students to the concept of the energy transition and alternative fuels with the aim of inspiring and empowering them to make a difference in their communities. With concrete and hands-on explorations, our six-week after school program helps prepare students to become innovators of our energy future.
Driving the Future was developed with a grant from Mitsubishi Corporation, which sponsored the pilot and development of the curriculum in the first year as well as WonderWeek at Children’s Museum Houston in April 2022. After excellent evaluation results from the Spring 2022 sessions, Center for Houston’s Future and Children’s Museum Houston determined to continue and expand the Driving the Future enrichment program. In Fall 2022, we presented the program to an additional 6 campuses in Houston Independent School District (HISD) with support from CenterPoint Energy Foundation, and in 2023 we offered the program at Galena Park ISD as well. Evaluation results continue to be strong, and we are working to sustain and expand this valuable learning opportunity for Houston area school children.
Video Resources:
About the Program:
Late elementary and middle school students are at the educational stage of exploring their capabilities and interests and making decisions about the course of study they will take in high school and beyond. This age group may choose to learn and pursue STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) education if they connect their learning to what is important to them, which is, increasingly, the climate future. Students and children are acutely aware of climate change and the challenges our planet faces, and they are frequently the influencers in their families and communities, pressing for adults to better conserve the environment.
Houston is a car-centric city that is actively developing approaches to alternative fuels for a lower-carbon future. As the energy capital of the world, we will have a key role in the decarbonization industry. The region needs a talent pipeline of young people interested in pursuing careers in this new energy economy, focused in part on reducing carbon emissions.
For Houston, its employers and industry to be able to meet the challenges of the energy future, we need big ideas and innovation. Driving the Future uses hands-on, engaging activities to introduce students to the concept of the energy transition and alternative fuels, with the aim to inspire and empower them to make a difference to their environment and community.
Specific Goals for the Program:
- Increasing students’ understanding about the relationship between transportation and climate change
- Sharing viable options for climate-friendly approaches to transportation.
- Inspiring students to learn more about the potential for Houston to increase its leadership in clean fuel technologies.
- Building students’ understandings specific to hydrogen as a fuel source.
- Getting students to clearly articulate their personal positions and relationships to the future of clean energy in Houston and the world.