To see descriptions of all available curriculum by grade level, click here. To download a PDF of all available units, click here.

Magnetic Field Filings

Three Ways to Generate Electricity

Grades:
7-8
Unit:
Solar vs. Wind Energy
Lesson Number:
4
Description:

This lesson gives students hands-on experiences with the attraction and repulsion of magnets including experiments with how the strength of attraction and repulsion varies with distance. Students see how magnets are used in motors but also in electric...

Energy Content:
Electricity and Magnetism,
Electricity Generation,
Solar Photovoltaic
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will be able to: • Detect the relative strength of magnetic fields at different distances from a magnet • Explain the energy transformations occurring in each part of a circuit • Identify three different methods for generating electricity
Pedagogy & Practice:
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Craig Marais
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-PS2-3,
MS-PS2-4
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
3 hours
US DOE WInd Turbines

Variables Affecting Wind Turbine Power

Grades:
7-8
Unit:
Solar vs. Wind Energy
Lesson Number:
5
Description:

Now that students are familiar with how mechanical electricity generation works, they will build a wind turbine powered by a box fan. Different teams will test different turbine variables to see how the amount of electrical power is affected. After each...

Energy Content:
Electrical Energy,
Electricity Generation,
Wind Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
• Students will be able to identify and explain at least three variables that affect the efficiency of wind turbines • Students will conduct a scientific investigation to determine which wind turbine configuration will generate the most power
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,
5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Craig Marais
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-ETS1-2,
MS-PS3-1,
MS-PS3-4
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
4 hours
Solar Circuit

Variables Affecting Solar Power

Grades:
7-8
Unit:
Solar vs. Wind Energy
Lesson Number:
6
Description:

Students will plan and condict an investigation into solar photovoltaic technologies to determine what variables affect the output of panels. They will calculate and compare their exploration of solar panels to their previous investigation of wind turbines...

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electricity Generation,
Solar Photovoltaic
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-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
• Students will be able to identify and explain at least three variables that effect the efficiency of photovoltaic cells • Students will conduct a scientific investigation to determine which photovoltaic cell configuration will generate the most power.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Craig Marais
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-ETS1-2,
MS-PS3-1,
MS-PS3-4
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours

How might we design a battery that reduces e-waste? Phenomenon and Exploration

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Understanding E-Waste Through Battery Design
Lesson Number:
1
Description:

During this introduction lesson series students will explore the guiding phenomenon to understand e-waste and connect it to battery design. Students will utilize online resources to learn about problems from e-waste around the world and the environmental...

Energy Content:
Batteries & Storage,
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electricity Generation,
Electronics,
Electrons,
Energy Fundamentals,
Fuels,
Hydrogen,
Potential & Kinetic Energy,
Solar Photovoltaic,
Wind Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
1.Students will learn about the phenomenon of e-waste through online resources to explore the history of electronics.2.Students will ask questions and define problems involving the environmental impact of electronics and human impact.3.Students will evaluate and obtain information about electronic waste from online resources such as news articles and videos.4.Students will learn (or review) knowledge of circuits to design a model and explain how a circuit works.
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Phenomena-Driven Instruction,
Project-Based Learning,
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
2: Developing and Using Models,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Jonathan Strunin
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
4-ESS3-1,
5-ESS3-1,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
Environmental Sciences,
ELA: Informational Text,
ELA: Reading: Scientific & Technical,
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Math: Measurement,
Social Sciences: Analysis
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours

Exploring Eco-Friendly Battery Design

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Understanding E-Waste Through Battery Design
Lesson Number:
2
Description:

In this lesson students will experiment with everyday household items to make batteries. Students will use lemons, potatoes, pennies, and cola to make batteries, and compare the amount of voltage produced. These lessons can be expanded to test a variety of...

Energy Content:
Batteries & Storage,
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electricity Generation,
Electrons,
Energy Fundamentals,
Hydrogen,
Materials Science,
Potential & Kinetic Energy,
Solar Photovoltaic,
Wind Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
1.Students will explore methods to produce energy from everyday items such as potatoes, lemons, pennies, and cola.2.Students will explore battery design and transfer of energy through hands on experiments with household items.3.Students will measure voltage and experiment methods to increase voltage. 4.Students will extend lessons to test out a variety of other materials such as varieties of fruits, vegetables, and sodas to compare different voltage produced. 5.Students will collect and record data from all their experiments to compare the different voltage produced. 6.Students will display data in charts or graphs to analyze the outcomes of their experiments. 
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Phenomena-Driven Instruction,
Project-Based Learning
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
2: Developing and Using Models,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Jonathan Strunin
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
4-ESS3-1,
5-ESS3-1,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours

Engineering Clean Energy for Our Community

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Understanding E-Waste Through Battery Design
Lesson Number:
3
Description:

This lesson plan will engage students in a design process to power a motor using a variety of energy sources. Students will compare different clean energy sources to decide which energy source will complete their design goal. Students will experiment with...

Energy Content:
Batteries & Storage,
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electricity Generation,
Electronics,
Electrons,
Energy Fundamentals,
Fuels,
Hydrogen,
Potential & Kinetic Energy,
Solar Photovoltaic,
Sources of Energy,
Wind Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
1.Students will define “clean energy” and explain at least 4 types of alternative energy sources2.Students will compare local energy sources and national energy sources to potential energy sources being used or developed.3.Students will experiment with wind energy, solar energy, and hydrogen fuel cell model vehicles to explore alternative fuel sources.4.Students will measure voltage produced and record data in a table format.5.Students will discuss pros and cons of the different types of energy.
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Phenomena-Driven Instruction,
Project-Based Learning,
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
2: Developing and Using Models,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,
5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Jonathan Strunin
Relevant NGSS PE:
5-ESS3-1,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
Environmental Sciences,
ELA: Informational Text,
ELA: Reading: Scientific & Technical,
ELA: Vocabulary Development,
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Math: Measurement,
Social Sciences: Analysis
Estimated Activity Length:
5 hours

Unit Plan: Understand E-Waste Through Battery Design

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Understanding E-Waste Through Battery Design
Description:

In this lesson students will further explore their understanding of energy, electricity, and basic circuits. Students will begin their exploration of batteries by questioning where batteries end up when we are done using them, making connections to e-waste...

Energy Content:
Batteries & Storage,
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electricity Generation,
Electronics,
Electrons,
Fuels,
Hydrogen,
Potential & Kinetic Energy,
Solar Photovoltaic,
Sources of Energy,
Wind Energy
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-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
1.Students will make connections to real world problem solving with e-waste.2.Students will explore battery design and transfer of energy through hands on experiments with household items.3.Students will evaluate and analyze problems with e-waste and research solutions.4.Students will draw and label models to explain circuits demonstrating the movement of energy.5.Students will be able to explain how the measured and compared batteries based on the knowledge learned about volts and using a voltmeter.
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
English Language Strategies,
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Phenomena-Driven Instruction,
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
2: Developing and Using Models,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,
5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Jonathan Strunin
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
4-ESS3-1,
5-ESS3-1,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
Environmental Sciences,
ELA: Informational Text,
ELA: Reading: Scientific & Technical,
ELA: Vocabulary Development,
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Math: Measurement,
Social Sciences: Analysis
Estimated Activity Length:
10 hours
Energy Transformations

Energy Sort

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Understanding Energy
Lesson Number:
1
Description:

Students will be put in groups of six to eight students. Each group will have images of various items that produce heat (light bulb, hair dryer, refrigerator, computer, game system, television, car, motorcycle, microwave, space heater, etc.). The goal is...

Energy Content:
Energy Fundamentals
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will begin to think about various appliances and items that they use and the energy that those items consume. Students will make connections between common objects in their lives and energy transformations taking place.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Group Work/Collaboration
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Eric Gronseth
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min
Sources of Energy

Brainstorm Energy Source

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Understanding Energy
Lesson Number:
2
Description:

Students will individually brainstorm sources of energy. This process will take place on both an individual and on a group level, allowing for students to share ideas about their perceptions of energy. On a sheet of paper, students will write or draw...

Energy Content:
Energy Fundamentals,
Sources of Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will begin to think about various appliances and items that they use and the energy that those items consume. Students will brainstorm ideas of energy sources without worrying about right and wrong answers. Students will create a visual reference for different types of energy resources with their classmates.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Establishing a Culture of Science,
Group Work/Collaboration
Author:
Eric Gronseth
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-ESS3-1
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min
Sources of Energy

Energy Research Project

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Understanding Energy
Lesson Number:
3
Description:

Students will build on their knowledge of renewable and non-renewable energy (third grade standards). Students will learn that all electricity production has impact on the earth. The class will do a compare/contrast activity of a renewable and a non-...

Energy Content:
Sources of Energy
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-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will be able to describe the basic principles of various forms of energy and write a detailed description of one of those forms of energy. This written product will include common uses of this form of energy, costs, and basic advantages and disadvantages of using this form of energy.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Eric Gronseth
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours

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