Human Energy, by Nivie Oron and Bertha Morales

      What concept  relates to waking up early to climb the ridge, swimming in the pool with Mr. Garcia, what we covered in Biology with Mr. Zargar, English with Ms. Leonhart and Geography with Mr. Madsen? Energy! “Energy” is a "loaded word." As we have learned in English,  we use it in many different ways: scientifically, symbolically, and practically. In all its forms and functions, energy has played a part in our classes since Spring Semester began.

      In Geography, we learned about the different types of energy: Geothermal, Hydroelectric, Solar, Wind, Coal, Natural Gas, Oil, Nuclear, and more. We explored the electron that loses energy as it passes through the electron transport chain, just as some of our electricity that passes through wires in the power grid. More energy is transferred in the electron transport chain than any other step of cellular respiration. Also, in the topic of cellular respiration, we learned that active transport requires energy from the cell to transport molecules , rather than the passive transport that doesn’t require energy.  These fundamentals of energy and its uses and functions are important, but they are not the only way that energy functions. In English, we approached energy more symbolically.

    All ninth graders recently watched the film MissRepresentation, written and directed by Jennifer Siebel. This film shows how we are unaware of the important role language plays in society (how language and the ways we use it have energy as well). Ads, television ,and movies shape our culture and the language used influences us. Celebrities shown in the media portray the message that people (particularly women and girls) should look and act a certain way: unrealistically slim and flawless--but their images are polished to unrealistic perfection by technology. This can lead to women and girls' low self esteem relating to our appearance, often causing eating disorders and depression . Misrepresentation of women and girls can also lead to lack of recognition when women assume positions of leadership or power. For example, Rosalind Franklin and her X-ray diffraction photograph of DNA helped reveal the characteristic shape of the double helix, but she never got as much credit as James Watson and Francis Crick who relied on her to produce their model of DNA.

     The passion that drives scientists such as Franklin, Watson, and Crick is a form of human energy. This kind of energy is stronger as people are uniting for a common cause such as the Global Occupy movement, which we investigated for English.  The Occupy protesters claim that a minority (the wealthy) are controlling our country's wealth.  Occupy protests are not only happening in the US, but are occurring all over the world as people in many nations combine their energies to stand up for their human rights.  Though there are many positive aspects to the movement,  I heard some students saying that maybe the protesters need a leader so that they can be clear on what they want, not only what they are fighting against. Also, we learned that the protesters have the right to use their energy to peacefully protest, but they are still getting unfairly treated by policemen.  

     Just like the Occupy protesters who peacefully use the power of language to promote equality, in seminar, we are using this language energy to become better leaders with Toastmasters. As we advocate for environmental changes and negotiate within our community, it becomes necessary for MSEL students to also harness the power of language in the name of positive environmental change and increased consciousness. 

As we worked with Toastmasters, we practiced preparing and presenting speeches about interesting personal experiences. The Marin School of Environment Leadership, altogether, is another example of how teamwork increases human energy. We are joining forces to make a change in our school as well as our community.

      After working as a team to break down aspects of the article “The Protestor” (Time Magazine, 2012) we began reading a new book in English class called “The Milagro Beanfield War”, about people living in New Mexico with minimal water rights. In this book, the the Devine company  has taken away the poor town’s water rights and leaving poor farmers unable to irrigate their fields for subsistence farming.  The main character, Joe Mondragon, decides he has had enough and stands up to the company, rerouting water to water hi family's beanfield.  An example of conflict over water today can be found in the Nestle Company that takes over towns’ water and at times leaves people without water even when they’re paying their bills. This book has introduced us to another protester, standing up for his rights much like the Occupy protestors.  It's another example of human energy and people coming together to make positive changes.

Marin SEL students, the Occupy protesters, and Joe Modragon from “The Milagro Beanfeild War” all have something in common. We all obtain human energy, and harness it to stand up for what we believe, whether this relates to changing people's environmental behaviors,  changing  patterns of inequality to women,  or advocating for the less wealthy in America and all over the world.

(Final edits on this piece completed by Ms. Leonhart)