The Energy Whiz Website: Making The Internet Connection

In conjunction with the SunSmart Schools program, the Florida Solar Energy Center has developed an interactive website that provides K-12 students with access to real-time solar photovoltaic (PV) performance data in graphical and tabular formats from 29 schools that received PV systems. The site also includes video clips, games, science project ideas, and links to other age-based educational resources. All of these items have been developed to assist students and teachers in meeting Florida\u27s grade-specific educational standards. This paper provides a review of the development process for this site as well as an evaluation of the effectiveness energywhiz.com as a learning tool. The evaluation process includes surveys of teacher and student experiences as well as professional review of the site by instructional designers. A discussion of planned future expansion of the site is also presented, including the potential to link with other solar for schools projects from around the globe