Here is your chance to change the course of history. In this course, you will begin developing profitable social and technological innovations that respond to our energy and climate obligations.

Other world-changing innovations have come from centralized programs. For example, the Manhattan Project to develop the atomic bomb was a massive effort, but only a few dozen knew the big picture. Meeting our energy and climate obligations requires a similar, but more wide-ranging, effort. We need thousands of people in thousands of places with thousands of ideas - and the courage to act on them. You are those people!

A few of your predecessors. Click here for their stories.

Why 150 tons?

One estimate is that every 150 tons of CO2 emissions will result in a climate change related death. Of course, any estimate like this is going to be very rough with lots of assumptions. The actual figure may be higher (but, hey, it may also be lower). Either way, 150 tons gives you a measurable challenge. How many deaths can your innovation prevent? Together, how many deaths can we prevent? Let this be your motivation as you develop your innovations.

$ Funding $

While most of the value provided by this course is in the effort you put in and the content, I also have some funding to support your projects as you develop them. So, if there is something you need to buy for your project, please let me know. Of course no guarantees, but in the past I have been able to pay for things such as a solar oven, an infrared camera for energy audits, and travel to speak with experts working on similar projects.

Instructor

Leidy Klotz, Ph.D.
Clemson University
leidyk@clemson.edu
@leidyklotz

http://essoresearch.org

Reading Information

The following free book is required for this course. Other required reading is provided on the course website.
Sustainable Energy: Without the Hot Air. David MacKay, 2008. Download for free at: http://www.withouthotair.com/download.html

You can also suggest items to be added to or removed from the course. E-mail me your recommendations. Some of the best reading and video content comes from these suggestions.

"Google it!"

In addition to the assigned reading, I expect you to constantly use Google. Google everything. Google your project ideas, Google your obstacles, Google for more information on specific topics. Don’t ask someone else a question before you Google it. You’ll either find the answer or come up with a better question.

Tweet

Please sign up to follow me @leidyklotz to get my tweets. For each reading and video assignment, you will tweet your main "epiphany" from the reading/video (it's time to sign up for a Twitter account if you don't already have one). This means it will have to be short - but thoughtful! Please do not simply describe one of the readings/videos. Instead, share your #1 insight that was triggered by all of the assigned reading(s) and/or video(s). What had a transformative effect on you? Maybe this is something unexpected, something you will tell your friends, something you can use for your project or in your life, etc...

Twitter logistics: On all of your tweets for this course, add the hashtag "#150tons" at the end so your classmates can find them (and so you can get participation credit). Every time you tweet an epiphany, you should also scan through all of your classmates epiphanies on that topic and retweet your favorite. Your goal is to make your epiphany the one that is retweeted the most!

Grading

Class Attendance, Participation and Preparation (20%): Class attendance, participation and preparation are required. This includes discussion posts, epiphanies, and video journals. You will receive a grade for your class participation and preparation (just completing assignments does not guarantee full credit for a class period). Unexcused failure to attend class or prepare for class will result in no credit for that class period. Unexcused late assignments will not be accepted.

Exam (20%): The exam is designed for students to showcase their mastery of the first six weeks of the course material. It is early in the semester and will require students to have read the book for the course! This is critical so that the energy innovations you work on are supported by a basic understanding of the overall energy issue. Students who do not pass won't be able to move on to the 150 tons Project until they do. They can re-take weekly until they pass (10% grade deduction per week).

150 tons Project (60%): In this project, you will work with other innovators to dream up (and try to make real) ideas to solve energy and climate problems. Unexcused late assignments will not be accepted.

Grading scale: A = 90 and above, B = 80 to 89, C = 70 to 79, D = 60 to 69, F = 59 and below.

Disability Accommodations

It is University policy to provide, on a flexible and individual basis, reasonable accommodations to students who have disabilities. If you have a documented disability that requires accommodation, please notify me during the first week of classes.

Meetings

T, Th 5-6:15PM in 200 Holtzendorff (Students may leave if I have not arrived after 5 minutes.)

Office Hours

F: 1PM-6PM or by appointment, or anytime I am in my office. I enjoy meeting to discuss this course.

General Education Competencies

For Clemson students, this course will help you fulfill the STS general education competency to "Demonstrate an understanding of issues created by the complex interactions among science, technology, and society."

For example, your individual contribution to the Energy Innovation project can serve as a written demonstration of this competency and your final project presentation or report could serve as oral or written demonstration.

Syllabus Subject to Change

When necessary to take advantage of student learning opportunities, modifications to this syllabus may be made by the instructor.

Learn to use Canvas

If this is your first course in Canvas you can go to Canvas Student Orientation to learn how to configure Canvas to meet your needs.

Academic integrity

You should also follow my code of conduct - please don't cheat, lie, or steal in this class (or elsewhere). Any violations will result in your removal from the course.