Indiana Governor Mike Braun recently launched a new energy education curriculum in partnership with the Indiana FFA Foundation, Inc. The curriculum offers lessons in a diverse range of key topics and enhancing skills in inquiry-based instruction. The set of courses is created for high school students and supports multiple Career and Technical (CTE) career pathways, including Agriculture and Energy and Natural Resources.
The curriculum is aligned with Indiana education standards and core competencies and designed in collaboration with the Indiana Office of Energy Development (OED), the FFA Foundation, and the Indiana Department of Education. Subjects include nuclear energy, energy technology, renewable energy, geothermal energy, and solar energy, among others.
“This innovative curriculum and collaborative effort are another example of Indiana leading the way,” Governor Mike Braun said. “We are prioritizing our K-12 students in our strategy to develop the advanced energy workforce of tomorrow for well-paying jobs in Indiana.”
The curriculum strengthens education initiatives and pathways in workforce development, a critical need for the energy sector, both in Indiana and nationwide.
“We are proud to partner with the Indiana FFA Foundation and provide educators across the state with comprehensive, forward-looking energy education,” said Suzanne Jaworowski, Indiana Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources. “As the energy sector undergoes a rapid transformation, this curriculum equips young people with the critical knowledge needed to navigate and lead in a changing world.”
Currently, the energy sector accounts for about 8.5 million jobs nationwide, with a median wage 18.8 percent higher across all sectors, according to the 2025 U.S. Energy and Employment Report. “The energy sector is vital to the prosperity of the United States and plays a significant role in the economies of all U.S. states, territories, and the global market,” the report said.
“The Indiana FFA Foundation is proud to support a curriculum that connects classroom learning to real-world energy careers,” said Lisa Chaudion, executive director of the Indiana FFA Foundation. “These resources empower agriculture teachers and inspire students to see themselves as the next generation of leaders in agriculture, energy, and natural resources.”
The plans were developed using an inquiry-based format known as a 5E lesson plan (engage, explore, explain, elaborate, evaluate), with curriculum incorporating assessments throughout the instructional materials to gauge student understanding and progress.
Indiana OED granted federal State Energy Program funding to the FFA Foundation, Inc. to plan and develop the curriculum.
More information about the curriculum may be found at:
www.in.gov/oed/resources-and-information-center/k-12-energy-education/
There is no cost for registered agriculture education teachers in Indiana to access the curriculum through the FFA Foundation.