Resource Type:
Data,
Energy Program/Initiative (Nonprofit/Industry),
Instructional Resource,
Interactive,
Report,
Research
Source:
US Department of Energy
Published:
2021
Last Updated:
2021
Intended Grade Level:
HS,
Post Secondary
Resource Link(s):
Report Broken Link
Description:

Published by US Department of Energy the Alternative Fuels Data Center is a wealth of data, maps, reports, interactives, case studies, and other resources on existing and emerging alternative fuel technologies, including electric vehicles, biodiesel, natural gas, hydrogen fuel cell, and others. Designed for fleet managers but applicable to high school classrooms, this can be a key research resource for understanding both the science and policy of alternative fuel transportation and applying to real world situations.

Location:
National
Energy Content:
Advanced Energy Careers,
Batteries & Storage,
Energy & Society,
Renewable Natural Gas,
Biomass Energy,
Fuels,
Hydrogen,
Smart Grid,
Sources of Energy,
Transportation
NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea:
ESS3.A: Natural Resources,
ESS3.C: Human Impact,
ESS3.D: Climate Change,
PS1.A: Matter: Structure & Properties,
PS1.B: Chemical Reactions,
PS3.D: Energy in Chemical Processes
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
Career-Connected Learning,
Engineering Design,
Multiple Learning Styles,
Project-Based Learning,
Research-Secondary,
Research-Primary
Other Subjects Covered:
Computer Science,
Environmental Sciences,
ELA: Informational Text,
Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,
Math: Algebra,
Math: Functions,
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Math: Measurement,
Math: Statistics & Probability,
Math: Ratios & Proportions,
Math: Trigonometry/Calculus,
Social Sciences: Economics
Resource Type:
Energy Program/Initiative (Nonprofit/Industry),
Field Trips,
Instructional Resource,
Interactive,
Organizations & Possible Partners,
Phenomena,
Visualization/Simulation
Source:
Renewable Northwest
Published:
2020
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
3-5,
MS,
HS,
Post Secondary
Resource Link(s):
Report Broken Link
Description:

An interactive map-based listing of major operating, proposed, approved, or other renewable energy projects in the Pacific Northwest US, including owners and generating capacity.

Location:
West/Pacific NW
Energy Content:
Electrical Energy,
Electrical Grid (Transmission & Distribution),
Electricity Generation,
Geothermal Energy,
Solar Photovoltaic,
Sources of Energy,
Tidal Energy,
Wave Energy,
Wind Energy
NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea:
ESS3.A: Natural Resources,
ESS3.C: Human Impact,
ESS3.D: Climate Change
Pedagogy & Practice:
Place-Based Learning,
Research-Secondary
Other Subjects Covered:
Environmental Sciences
Sphero SPRK+

Solar SPRK+ Unit Overview

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
Solar SPRK+
Description:

This unit incorporates basic programming knowledge and solar energy into an engineering design challenge using Sphero SPRK+ robots. The theme for this challenge centers on the idea of Mars rovers, and the challenges faced in space exploration, specifically...

Energy Content:
Batteries & Storage,
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electronics,
Solar Photovoltaic
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will develop tools to use in the Engineering Design Process.Students will learn drag and drop programming with Sphero Edu (formerly Lightning Lab).Students will determine how series and parallel circuits affect voltage and current.Students will understand how to use photovoltaic sources to charge a SPRK+.Students will design a chariot to carry a photovoltaic power source for a SPRK+.Students will learn to program a SPRK+ ball and chariot through a maze.
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Project-Based Learning,
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
2: Developing and Using Models,
5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Deb Frankel
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-ETS1-1,
MS-ETS1-2,
MS-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
Computer Science,
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
10 hours
Resource Type:
Data,
Instructional Resource,
Interactive,
Report
Source:
International Energy Agency
Published:
2020
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
MS,
HS,
Post Secondary
Resource Link(s):
Report Broken Link
Description:

Explore historical data and forecasts for all renewables sectors and technologies. Renewables 2020 includes a dynamic data dashboard which enables users to explore historical data and forecasts for all sectors and technologies. The associated Renewables 2020 dataset gives full access to all of the data available in this dashboard, plus additional premium data for all sectors and technologies, including additional historical years.

Location:
National,
International
Energy Content:
Batteries & Storage,
Energy & Society,
Renewable Natural Gas,
Biomass Energy,
Electrical Energy,
Electrical Grid (Transmission & Distribution),
Electricity Generation,
Fuels,
Geothermal Energy,
Hydrogen,
Hydropower,
Solar Photovoltaic,
Solar Thermal,
Sources of Energy,
Tidal Energy,
Wave Energy,
Wind Energy
NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea:
ESS3.A: Natural Resources,
ESS3.C: Human Impact,
ESS3.D: Climate Change
Pedagogy & Practice:
Research-Secondary
Other Subjects Covered:
Environmental Sciences
Resource Type:
Data,
Infographic,
Report
Source:
Oregon Department of Energy
Published:
2020
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
3-5,
MS,
HS,
OST
Resource Link(s):
Report Broken Link
Description:

Energy by the Numbers focuses on the metrics and data available to track how Oregon produces, purchases, and uses various types of energy. Includes many pages of graphics that highlight oregon's energy usage and production by source and by producer/utility type/sector, location of energy facilities, energy costs, and information on electric vehicles in Oregon.

Location:
West/Pacific NW
Energy Content:
Batteries & Storage,
Energy & Society,
Electrical Grid (Transmission & Distribution),
Energy Efficiency,
Fuels,
Hydropower,
Solar Photovoltaic,
Sources of Energy,
Wind Energy
NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea:
ESS3.A: Natural Resources,
ESS3.C: Human Impact,
ESS3.D: Climate Change
Pedagogy & Practice:
Place-Based Learning,
Research-Secondary,
Research-Primary
Other Subjects Covered:
Environmental Sciences,
Social Sciences: Economics
Resource Type:
Instructional Resource,
Data,
Infographic,
Interactive,
Visualization/Simulation,
At-Home
Source:
US Energy Information Administration
Published:
2020
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
HS,
Post Secondary
Resource Link(s):
Report Broken Link
Description:

(In Beta) A great high-level data tool which provides maps and data on current and historical regional and national electricity usage and generation mix.  Interactive with a variety of downloadable tables and charts that can be generated.

Location:
National,
West/Pacific NW,
Southeast,
Rockies,
Plains,
Midwest,
Northeast,
South,
Southwest
Energy Content:
Electrical Grid (Transmission & Distribution),
Electricity Generation,
Sources of Energy
NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea:
ESS3.A: Natural Resources,
ESS3.C: Human Impact
Pedagogy & Practice:
Research-Secondary
Other Subjects Covered:
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Social Sciences: Geography
Solar Updraft Tower

Solar Updraft Towers Unit Overview

Grades:
3-8
Unit:
Solar Updraft Towers
Description:

Students will combine research, direct observations, and hands-on investigation to lead them into an engineering design project involving the construction of a solar updraft tower. During this process, students will make references to specific phenomena...

Energy Content:
Electricity Generation,
Energy Fundamentals,
Light (Visible),
Solar Thermal,
Sources of Energy,
Thermal Energy (Heat),
Wind Energy
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will understand ten renewable and non-renewable energy sources on the earth.Students will learn the locations of different energy sources on the earth.Students will learn the history of energy sources and how humans have used them.Students will learn about innovations and inventions used to find, recover, store, and release energy for human consumption.Students will understand that hot air risesStudents will understand why hot water and hot air rise and cold air and cold water sink.Students will learn that wind is produced by warm air rising and cold air sinking.Students will learn that the energy of moving hot air can be converted into other forms of energy.Students will understand that energy from the sun can be converted into heat.Students will discuss the effects of the chimney stack phenomenon.Students will understand that wind energy can be converted into other forms of energy.Students will determine different methods to increase the effectiveness of a wind turbine blade by harnessing and converting the mechanical energy of the wind.Students will determine that thermal energy resulting from the sun’s radiation can create an updraft that will power a turbine to spin.                                       Students will identify characteristics of turbine design that improve the success of their device.Students will utilize content from previous phenomena they investigated, such as the chimney stack effect and Norwegian candle toys, to determine how to best harness the energy transformed by their device from the sun.Students will be able to define and explain what a solar updraft tower is.Students will make connections between their previous engineering challenge and a real world solution to the world’s growing energy demands.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Phenomena-Driven Instruction,
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
2: Developing and Using Models,
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:
Lisa Morgan
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-3,
4-PS3-4,
4-ESS3-1,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text,
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development,
Math: Measurement,
Math: Ratios & Proportions
Estimated Activity Length:
10 hours
Resource Type:
Article,
Instructional Resource,
Research,
Phenomena,
Interactive
Source:
Carbon Brief
Published:
2017
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
HS,
Post Secondary
Resource Link(s):
Report Broken Link
Description:

Interactive Map featuring sources of energy and consumption. Great tool for engaging students in understanding where their energy comes from locally and from what sources.

Location:
National
Energy Content:
Electrical Grid (Transmission & Distribution),
Electricity Generation,
Fuels,
Hydropower,
Solar Photovoltaic,
Sources of Energy,
Wind Energy
NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea:
ESS2.A: Earth Materials & Systems,
ESS3.A: Natural Resources,
ESS3.C: Human Impact,
ESS3.D: Climate Change
Pedagogy & Practice:
Place-Based Learning,
Research-Secondary
Other Subjects Covered:
Social Sciences: Geography
Resource Type:
Instructional Resource,
Research,
Data,
Interactive
Source:
US Energy Information Administration
Published:
2020
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
MS,
HS,
Post Secondary
Resource Link(s):
Report Broken Link
Description:

A superb research resource for MS and HS students that provides state-by-state data on energy consumption, generation and costs. Also includes state rankings for various energy sources, and individual generation facilities in an interactive map so students can understand what resources and sources of energy and present locally, as well as the grid interconnections. The EIA site also a links to a wealth of other energy data and reports for more detailed analysis, inluding near-term energy forecasts.

Location:
National
Energy Content:
Energy & Society,
Electrical Grid (Transmission & Distribution),
Electricity Generation,
Energy Efficiency,
Fuels,
Hydropower,
Solar Photovoltaic,
Sources of Energy,
Wind Energy
NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea:
ESS2.A: Earth Materials & Systems,
ESS3.A: Natural Resources,
ESS3.C: Human Impact
Pedagogy & Practice:
Place-Based Learning,
Research-Secondary
Other Subjects Covered:
Environmental Sciences,
Social Sciences: Economics,
Social Sciences: Geography
Resource Type:
Instructional Resource,
Research,
Data
Source:
Department of Energy
Published:
2020
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
3-5,
MS,
HS,
Post Secondary
Resource Link(s):
Report Broken Link
Description:

National database that allows users to access a wealth of local and state energy information, in both table and graph formats. Data include energy consumption, energy sources, local energy organizations, energy policies, and energy costs. An excellent resource for place-based research.

Location:
National
Energy Content:
Energy & Society,
Energy Equity and Justice,
Electrical Grid (Transmission & Distribution),
Energy Efficiency,
Fuels,
Sources of Energy
NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea:
ESS3.A: Natural Resources,
ESS3.C: Human Impact
Pedagogy & Practice:
Place-Based Learning,
Project-Based Learning,
Research-Secondary
Other Subjects Covered:
Environmental Sciences,
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Social Sciences: Economics,
Social Sciences: Geography

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