Energy Education Data Jam

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) hosted an Energy Education Data Jam on March 27, 2014.

EERE is working to amplify our approach to help improve energy understanding, knowledge, and decision-making. To address the measured gap in America's energy literacy, this single-day data jam united energy and topic experts with the software, visualization, and development communities to collaborate toward the goal of creating innovative products and partnerships to directly address energy literacy going forward.

In the growing ecosystem of energy-related data jams and hackathons, this one was distinct in that it was targeted toward improving the general understanding of the basics of energy in the U.S., which we have identified as a key obstacle to sensible long-term progress in energy.  We hope that what emerges from this data jam will be applicable to learners of any age – from preschool to adult learners. 

Focus of the Data Jam: How can we use energy data and energy tools together with energy content to create apps, visualizations, games, etc. for increasing energy literacy?

One example of the energy literacy content that was discussed is Energy Literacy: Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts for Energy Education, which presents interdisciplinary energy concepts that, if understood and applied, will help individuals and communities make informed energy decisions. Other examples of data and tools to be leveraged can be found at the 2014 Energy Education Data Jam participant OpenEI wiki.

EVENT INFORMATION

Date: March 27, 2014

Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm ET

Location:
Johns Hopkins University - Washington DC Center
1717 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20036

Goal: To Develop Apps for Energy Education

INNOVATIVE MINDS NEEDED

The goal of the data jam was to catalyze the development of tools, visualizations, and activities to improve energy literacy by bringing together:

• Developers who understand the problems presented by the energy literacy gap, and have a desire to bring about change
• Educators with knowledge of how students learn, how energy is taught, and ideas about how we can bridge the energy literacy gap
• Energy experts with a high-level understanding of the energy economy and who are capable of deconstructing complicated energy data
• Energy foundations and nonprofits committed to clean energy and an understanding that education can be the first step towards a clean energy economy

GUEST SPEAKERS

The event included expert presentations by the following distinguished guests:

• Jason Walsh, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary & Director of the Office of Strategic Programs (EERE)
• Aneesh Chopra, former Chief Technology Officer of the United States
• Dr. Ed Dieterle, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Dr. Jan DeWaters, Clarkson University
• Diane Tucker, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

DATASETS, TOOLS & CONTENT

Several datasets, tools, and related energy content were explored during the event, including:

Datasets & API's

• Green Button
• EIA 2011 United States Electricity Generating Capacity Data
• Energy API's Visual Browser
• 2012 Commercial Energy Consumption Data
• 2009 U.S. Renewable Energy Consumption by Sector and Source Data
• National Solar Radiation Database
• Fuel Economy API
• EIA Electricity API
• Home Energy Score API

Energy Tools & Content

• Buildings Industry Transportation Electricity Scenarios (BITES)
• Climate Literacy & Energy Awareness Network (CLEAN)
• Industrial Assessment Center Database
• EIA Residential Energy Consumption Survey Results

Open Energy Information Portal (OpenEI)

Explore more datasets and tools on our 2014 Energy Education Data Jam OpenEI wiki page.

MORE INFORMATION

If you have any questions, please contact us at energyliteracy@ee.doe.gov.