MAST ACADEMY

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN SCIENCE
(C.I.I.S.)

Energy Issues

Contemporary Issues In Science is an interdisciplinary program designed to integrate scientific study and technological advances and their implications on societal aspects such as economy, politics, morality, society, and environment. Students investigate the science involved in an issue and discuss and evaluate these societal impacts.

The program is intended to educate students of varying learning levels about informed, responsible, and involved citizenship. It emphasizes fact gathering, critical thinking, and group dynamics. It teaches communication skills and provides experience in shared problem solving.

Every year, the students chose the topics of discussion. Then, students conduct a forum to discuss their cumulative scientific knowledge about energy and its implication on the society and the environment.

The forum is usually conducted outside of the school campus. For the last several years, the forum was held at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Visitors Center. Students meet in small groups or panels with adult volunteers to examine, discuss, and report their comments, concerns, and recommendations on the issues addressed.

Meeting to objectively address the multidimensional issues faced by the world has been an eye opening experience for previous generations of students participating in C.I.I.S.

This "hands-on" involvement in the democratic process will help students realize that they can be heard and can play a meaningful role in helping shape decisions relating to their future.

The Forum