To bridge the technical divide between those who design appropriate energy technologies and those who utilize them On the MIT Global Challenge: http://globalchallenge.mit.edu/teams/view/138

1. PracticalEnergyNetwork (PEN)
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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. PEN Innovation
PEN
Existing local educators disseminate hands-on energy curriculum

5. 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

6. PEN Project Feasibility
• 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