We are establishing PEN: an international network of extra-curricular clubs in secondary schools, to teach students the science and engineering behind energy generation.

PEN will allow students to:

• Learn practical energy and design concepts

• Build useful, hands-on projects

• Design new, locally adapted energy solutions

PracticalEnergyNetwork (PEN)

Problem:- Substantial energy shortages in the developing world.

- Lack of local energy innovation.

To overcome this, students need to gain:

• Knowledge of energy principles

• Confidence in creative engineering and design

• A DIY community and mindset for innovation

Our goal is to empower students to design and innovate their own creative

solutions to energy challenges.

PEN Club Components

Energy primer

Open-source “recipe book” with projects designed to teach fundamentals of energy technologies and encourage experimentation

Online forum

DIY web community for project sharing, downloads

Teachers’ workshops

Network for young engineers

Worldwide collaboration through internet forums, competitions, and international conferences

PEN Innovation

Existing local educators disseminate hands-on energy curriculum

PEN

PEN Community Impact• Promotes hands-on science education

• Encourages local innovation

• Provides a local support network for energy-related projects

• Enables international collaborations

Allows students to:

• Foster an understanding of renewable energy

• Gain practical design experience and confidence

PEN will reach 180 students internationally in Year 1– Existing contacts : Ghana, Iceland, India, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, US

Future expansion unlimited!– Official channels (Peace Corps, UN, Suame Magazine, MIT)

– Grassroots clubs

• Team members experienced with energy education in developing countries

• Preliminary curriculum available– Content generation underway (finish book by September)

– Develop, test, and refine curriculum : gather D-Lab technologies, field work at IDDS Ghana (July), etc.

• First PEN Club set to begin in August– Community Partner (Tanzania) in place and ready!

• Interest from additional mentors and community partners:– Engineers and educators from Suame Magazine, Ghana

– US Peace Corps volunteers

– MIT Development Lab (D-Lab)

– Global Cycle Solutions, Tanzania

– Interest from UN Millennium Villages in Tanzania, Nigeria

– Possible connection with Instructables and DIY community

PEN Project Feasibility