DELTA: Discover Energy: Learn, Think, Apply

The Program

Energy – where to get it from, how to use it efficiently and how to reduce negative environmental impacts from its production, conversion, distribution and use – is arguably the most critical environmental, economic, and social challenge facing the world today.  MIT President Susan Hockfield has committed MIT to an ambitious research and education program aimed squarely at the pressing problem of improving energy management.  Another component of MIT’s Energy Initiative is “walking the talk” at MIT by increasing energy efficiency and reducing both costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

This DELTA FPOP will include an exciting variety of activities to get you acquainted with the range of activities at MIT, introduce you to important topics within the energy arena, and help you to get to know each other and current MIT students active in energy!  Among our activities will be an energy audit within MIT's buildings, during which you will collect and analyze data in teams and develop practical recommendations for improving energy efficiency and reducing costs. You will also complete a Personal Energy Calculator that will enable you to estimate your personal "carbon footprint," and you will learn about MIT's own energy use, CO2 emissions, and environmental management strategies from experts in our Department of Facilities and the Environmental, Health, and Safety Office. In addition, leading faculty at MIT will discuss key themes in energy and climate with you, providing both an overview and an opportunity to ask questions.

You will also have a chance to meet and talk with representatives from all the MIT Energy Initiative and energy and environment student organizations that will help you connect with energy and associated environmental education opportunities and with the student energy community.  In addition, the program will include planned social activities to allow you to get to know your fellow classmates who share your interest in energy and who you will likely collaborate with in classes, research, and/or student group activities.

Join DELTA to get an insider’s view action on energy across MIT.

DELTA Specifics

Dates: Monday, August 24 through Friday, August 28.
Place: Freshmen will be housed in their assigned dormitory.
Available Spaces: 25
Cost: $50. The cost includes all meals, local transportation, and materials; The MIT Energy Initiative will cover the remaining balance.

What Will We Do?

Our activities during DELTA will include auditing selected dorm energy use, discussing a range of energy topics with faculty, staff, and students, hands-on exercises, tours around MIT and Boston, and social activities.  Below is a tentative itinerary.

• Registration and Check-in
• Move into assigned residence hall
• Social activities in the evening

• Breakfast
• Introduction to energy discussion
• Flow of Energy show and tell tour
• Lunch
• Targeted dorm energy audit overview
• Audit data collection and analysis
• Dinner in Boston

• Breakfast
• Audit presentations and concluding discussion
• Personal Energy Calculator
• Lunch
• Social, Political, and Economic Dimensions of Energy and Environment discussion
• Hands-on project (TBD)
• Dinner in Cambridge with Energy FPOP alums

• Breakfast
• Being green at MIT discussion
• Energy Brigade: Help Green MIT
• Lunch
• Sloan Automotive Lab tour
• Boston Underwater Tour
• Dinner in Boston

• Breakfast
• Small group discussion on Research and Academics at MIT
• Student groups talk about the MIT Energy Experience
• Lunch
• Biodiesel Lab Tour
• Energy Solutions panel discussion with faculty
• Concluding discussion and evaluation
• BBQ Celebration dinner with Energy FPOP alums