From 1879 to 1882 Thomas Edison sold only 3144 of his newly invented light bulbs. All of his 203 customers were in Manhattan, New York, the only city "wired" for electric lights. Today, Los Angeles, California uses 230,000 Electric lamps to light up 5500 miles of streets every night. Since Edison's world-changing invention, many people have come to take access to electric lights for granted. Even though electric lights are almost always available when needed, there are serious problems with many of the electric lighting systems used in society. Many of the lighting systems in homes, industries and public buildings use old, inefficient components which waste electrical energy. The potential for improving function and comfort while reducing the energy consumption and Associated costs of lighting systems is tremendous. For example, eleven businesses in Houston, Texas saved a combined total of $1,686,354 in the year 2000 by installing energy-efficient lighting. Wasting electrical energy also wastes precious fuels, adds to the cost of living and needlessly increases pollution.

The future of better energy utilization starts with the youth of America.

The future of better energy utilization starts with the youth of America. Where else but in classrooms across the nation is there a better place to begin? That's why the U.S. Department of Energy's Rebuild America Program collaborated with It's About Time and the National Science Foundation to create a new module on lighting performance, "Light Up My Life" for Active Physics.

Active Physics is an inquiry-based curriculum developed in association with the American Association of Physics Teachers and the American Institute of Physics. The Active Physics authors with Project Director Dr. Arthur Eisenkraft created the "Light Up My Life" module with the same approach and design that implements the National Science Education Standards, ensuring all students grasp the underlying concepts of physics and the relevance of science to their lives. The focus of the module will be to educate students about assessing lighting design and energy performance of their school, home, supermarket, restaurant or any other buildings that interest them in their community.

Students will:

• Analyze how well the existing lighting system provides the quantity and quality of light recommended for activities and tasks performed in the environment.
• Analyze the energy consumption and operating costs of the existing lighting system.
• Propose an improved lighting system which will provide the quantity and quality of light needed in the environment and which will consume less energy, while costing less to operate.

The Active Physics module "Light Up My Life" includes everything you need to be successful in the classroom:

• Implementation of the National Science Education Standards
• Student Modules that Facilitate Inquiry-based Learning
• In-depth Teacher Editions
• Approved Material Kits
• All the Professional Development you need
• Technology Support
• 100% Accurate Content Developed by Physics Leaders
• 100% Safety Reviewed

For more information about the Rebuild America Program go to:
www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/rebuild/

Mary Quinlan and John Roeder working with their classes as they pilot "Light Up My Life" the new Active Physics module that is jointly funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation.