Innovative Communication and Seed Training Mechanism for Energy Transition PoliciesThis curriculum is an innovative training mechanism that was developed to address knowledge gaps in society and policy communication difficulties encountered while promoting energy transition policies in Chinese Taipei.,Topics related to energy involve highly specialized content. Traditional communication methods, such as informational meetings and lectures, cannot provide the in-depth interactions needed to effectively shape policy comprehension. Surveys on energy knowledge conducted over the years have also revealed that the public has a limited understanding of energy mixing and net-zero strategies, indicating a need to develop more interactive and audience-tailored communication methods. Since 2017, this project has developed a variety of innovative communication tools, which have been deployed through with seed training and outreach mechanisms to spread energy knowledge among the public. This has lowered the barriers for participating in conversations on energy related topics.,The mechanism was designed with the following goals in mind:,1. Increase the public’s energy knowledge and lower barriers to understanding energy transition policies through the use of innovative communication tools.,2. Establish a systematic seed training mechanism to transform educators, volunteers, youths, and women into seed teachers and bridges for energy knowledge.,3. Introduce gender mainstreaming perspectives and expand the foundation for youths and families to participate in public dialogue, promoting diverse participation in conversations on energy policy.,4. Establish replicable and systematic policy communication methods, and facilitate their widespread application across different educational systems and social contexts.,How is the material administered?,The mechanism employed a three-phase promotion strategy: creative brainstorming, tool creation, and curriculum design.,1. Creative Brainstorming – Proposal-Gathering Competition (Appendix 1-1),To increase public participation and promote creative brainstorming, two creative proposal competitions and open calls were held to collect creative concepts for energy policy communication tools. During the open call events, coordinators first provided participants with basic energy knowledge of and explained the policy background. After participants sufficiently understood the concept of energy transition, they proceeded to brainstorm and propose designs.,Through the two open call events, a total of 28 board game proposals and 55 picture book proposals were collected. The submitted proposals not only had creative designs, but also reflected an accurate of energy concepts and policy implications.,2. Tool Creation – Developing Policy Communication Tools (Appendix 1-2),The proposals were judged by an interdisciplinary panel of energy, education, and design experts. Based on the selection results, four outstanding proposals were further developed into interactive educational policy communication tools:,(1) Two energy board games: POWER ON! and Electropolis,(2) Two energy picture books: The Energy Wizard and Unexpected Museum Visitors – Across the Energy Universe,The energy board games use gameplay to simulate the impacts of energy selection and carbon emissions, helping students understand energy mixing and policy decision scenarios through an interactive process. The energy picture books employ a narrative context to translate energy topics into easy-to-understand content, encouraging parents and children to learn together and take part in public discussion.,3. Curriculum Design – Curriculum Standardization Plan (Appendix 1-3),To ensure the uniformity of training content and its replicability for dissemination through outreach, a standardized curriculum was established for each type of policy communication tool. This allows different categories of seed teachers to conduct energy education outreach according to the same teaching framework:,(1) Introducing energy knowledge: Instructors use the energy transition policy as an axis to conduct explanatory presentations and interactive quizzes, establishing correct foundational ideas.,(2) Instruction on teaching materials: Instructors provide complete training modules and teaching resources, explain board game rules, practice picture book reading, and demonstrate teaching methods to impart skills.,(3) Hands-on practice in small groups: Participants play the board game or practice picture book reading in small groups to familiarize themselves with how to use the teaching materials.,(4) Discussion, exchange, and reflection: Instructors guide participants to share their notes from the training session, as well as their outreach proposals, deepening their understanding of energy topics.
