Angie Martinez: Lighting a New Path with LEDs & Bold Leaps

• This resource features an interview with Angie Martinez, who is involved with the municipal switch to more energy-efficient LED lighting in the city of Pittsburgh.
• Students will learn about her career path, why diversity is important, and why LED lighting is safer, healthier, more cost-efficient, and the most energy-efficient lighting available on Earth.

Positives

• The discussion questions beneath the video could serve as writing prompts or discussion-starters for more in-depth classroom dialogue.
• As a first-generation college student, Angie works to motivate others to achieve their dreams and to work for a more diverse representation of perspectives in climate careers.

Additional Prerequisites

• This resource provides additional information about Angie's story, links to other solutions, and ways to take action that teachers can preview for background information or extension work.

Differentiation

• Put students into groups and ask each group to further research a climate solution being implemented in the city of Pittsburgh, including adding more green spaces, improving bicycle infrastructure, and planting trees.
• Provide students the opportunity to watch this short video in order to learn more about other creative lighting solutions as a necessary method of adapting to climate change.
• Teachers can encourage students to explore the links in the "Take Action" section and then discuss ways they can get involved in the fight for climate action.
• Consider this activity as a way of giving students hands-on experience with LEDs and connecting the concept of renewable energy to power LEDs by building a small wind generator.
• In order to give more context to the need for more energy efficiency, allow students to explore energy data by state and county, focusing on both Pittsburgh and their own communities.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.