Austin News

When Jason Isaac’s son brought home his standardized test prep packet, the father was appalled to see the only science question related to energy was to ask which ‘'fossil fuels cause global warming?’'

“There was no room for discussion and no mention of the incredible benefits affordable, reliable energy has provided to people around the world,” said Isaac, director of Life:Powered, a project of the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) 

To address the dearth, Life:Powered created a curriculum for the new Foundations of Energy course. It is approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and aims to provide objective and science-based instruction to high school students interested in learning more about energy.

“It seemed shameful that the top energy-producing state educated our next generation so little and so poorly about the energy resources we produce right here in Texas to power the nation,” Isaac told Austin News. “Fortunately, by partnering with energy experts and professional curriculum writers, we’ve been able to help fill in this gap.”

As discussed on a recent Texas Public Policy Foundation panel, featuring Life:Powered's Katie Tahuahua, the foundations of energy and other energy coursework that are underway are the start of a movement gunning to improve and expand energy education in public schools in order to raise awareness about the benefits of statewide energy resources.

“Foundations of Energy and the energy cluster of courses recently created by the TEA aim to provide a more well-rounded education in this area,” Isaac said in an interview.

One of the results that Isaac seeks is more students thinking of energy as a future career opportunity.

“Life:Powered’s mission is to raise America’s energy IQ,” Isaac said. “We exist to educate policymakers and the public about the importance of affordable, reliable energy to human flourishing.”

Part of the problem has been limited energy CTE education opportunities combined with what some describe as climate change doomsday rhetoric perpetuated by the media. Isaac said this has resulted in a narrow-minded view of energy by many young Texans.

“Foundations of Energy is strictly an unbiased science and CTE course with no political agenda,” he said. “However, a better-informed and engaged citizenry will always result in better public policy. Learning about energy in school will equip young Texans to meaningfully engage the energy debate.”