Electrical Energy

Interactive,

Report

Source:

International Energy Agency

Published:

2020

Last Updated:

2020

Intended Grade Level:

MS,

HS,

Post Secondary

Resource Link(s):

Renewables Data Explorer

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:

Energy & Society,

Renewable Natural Gas,

Biomass Energy,

Electrical Grid (Transmission & Distribution),

Fuels,

Geothermal Energy,

Hydrogen,

Hydropower,

Solar Thermal,

Tidal Energy,

Wave 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:

Energy Program/Initiative (Nonprofit/Industry),

Curriculum,

Engineering Challenges

Source:

KidWind

Published:

2020

Last Updated:

2020

Intended Grade Level:

3-5,

MS,

HS,

OST

Resource Link(s):

KidWind Online Challenge

Description:

Two really fantastic and engaging engineering challenges held both nationally and online for grades 4-12: Wind Engineering and Solar Structures. Educators and students are provided with scaffolded lessons for engaging in the fundmanetal content of the challenge, as well as guidance for how to prepare and structure the challenge. Challenges can be run at the class, school, district, or regional level and the in-person challenge includes regional and national competitions. Kidwind also provide professional development opportunities for educators.

Location:

Energy Content:

NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea:

ESS3.C: Human Impact,

ESS3.D: Climate Change,

PS2.A: Forces & Motion,

PS2.B: Interactions Between Forces,

PS3.A: Energy Definitions,

PS3.B: Energy Conservation & Transfer,

PS3.C: Energy & Forces

Pedagogy & Practice:

Community Engagement,

Project-Based Learning

Other Subjects Covered:

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,

Math: Geometry,

Math: Ratios & Proportions

Resource Type:

Curriculum,

At-Home

Source:

KidWind

Published:

2015

Last Updated:

2020

Intended Grade Level:

PreK-2,

3-5,

MS,

HS,

OST

Resource Link(s):

Recharge Labs Activities

Description:

A series of 9 hands-on lessons (grades 2-12) that explore wind and solar energy, cirtcuity and electricity generation using a mixture of design and DIY tools. The includes materials lists and video support guides for implementing the curriculum.

Location:

Energy Content:

Electricity and Magnetism,

Energy Fundamentals,

Potential & Kinetic Energy,

Transportation,

NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea:

ESS3.A: Natural Resources,

ESS3.C: Human Impact,

PS2.A: Forces & Motion,

PS2.B: Interactions Between Forces,

PS3.A: Energy Definitions,

PS3.B: Energy Conservation & Transfer,

PS3.C: Energy & Forces

Pedagogy & Practice:

Multiple Learning Styles,

Project-Based Learning

Other Subjects Covered:

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,

Math: Geometry,

Math: Ratios & Proportions

Resource Type:

Curriculum,

Video,

Infographic,

App,

Interactive,

Visualization/Simulation,

At-Home

Source:

University of Illinois-Cyber Resilient Energy Delivery Consortium

Published:

2019

Last Updated:

2020

Intended Grade Level:

3-5,

Resource Link(s):

CREDC Education

Description:

CREDC is a wealth of interactives and curricula for K-12 educators. There are six interactives for engaging in how to manage various sources of energy and their costs in relationship to energy usage, as well as curricula such as paper circuits, and resources and ideas for integrating coding, Minecraft, and other computer applications in energy and circuitry explanations.

Location:

Energy Content:

Electrical Grid (Transmission & Distribution),

Electronics,

NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea:

PS3.B: Energy Conservation & Transfer

Pedagogy & Practice:

Career-Connected Learning,

Early Childhood Learning,

Multiple Learning Styles

Other Subjects Covered:

Computer Science,

Environmental Sciences,

Social Sciences: Economics

Home Energy Consumption

Grades:

6-8

Description:

Students will calculate the energy consumption of a set of common household devices based on their operating power rating and then investigate the power consumption of other devices in their homes.

Energy Content:

Energy Efficiency,

Energy Fundamentals

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will understand power and energy as they relate to their electricity use. Students will be able to calculate energy consumption and the associated costs. Students will investigate ways they could reduce their own energy consumption

Pedagogy & Practice:

Field Work,

Research-Primary

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,

7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence

Author:

Deb Frankel

Relevant NGSS PE:

MS-PS1-3

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Speaking & Listening,

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Illuminate Me: Merging Conductive Sewing, Technology, and Solar Power

Grades:

7-12

Unit:

Illuminate Me

Description:

Light up your clothing using solar power! For this unit, students will attach thin, flexible solar modules to a bike helmet and recharge NiMH rechargeable batteries for a renewable energy battery pack. The rechargeable batteries will be used to light up...

Energy Content:

Electronics,

Solar Photovoltaic

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

1. Students will design and sew a wearable circuit using conductive thread. 2. Students will program a wearable microcontroller to light up garment with bright LEDs. 3. Students will incorporate solar power into a wearable garment project by recharging NiMH batteries for a renewable energy battery pack. 4. Students will apply knowledge of circuitry and energy transfer to maximize design.

Pedagogy & Practice:

21st Century Skills Development,

Project-Based Learning,

Engineering Design

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

2: Developing and Using Models,

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:

Kristy Schneider

Relevant NGSS PE:

MS-ETS1-1,

MS-PS1-3,

MS-PS3-5,

HS-ETS1-2,

HS-ETS1-3,

HS-ETS1-4

Other Subjects Covered:

Computer Science,

ELA: Speaking & Listening,

Math: Graphing & Representation,

Estimated Activity Length:

10 hours

Resource Type:

Interactive,

Visualization/Simulation,

At-Home

Source:

University of Colorado Boulder

Published:

2020

Last Updated:

2020

Intended Grade Level:

3-5,

MS,

Resource Link(s):

PhET Simulation LIbraries

Description:

A series of over 150 digitial interacitves that allow students to explore a wide variety of science concepts, from simple energy transformations and motion, as well as beahvior of electricity in multiple contexts (static electricity, circuity, batteries, electromagnetism, fields, and more). Many include data collection and applied exploraion of science concepts in physics, chemistry, math, and more. Most are meant for secondary grades, but there are some good foundational energy interactives for upper elementary.

Location:

Energy Content:

Electricity and Magnetism,

Electrons,

Energy Fundamentals,

Light (Visible),

Sound,

Thermal Energy (Heat)

NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea:

PS1.A: Matter: Structure & Properties,

PS1.B: Chemical Reactions,

PS2.A: Forces & Motion,

PS2.B: Interactions Between Forces,

PS3.A: Energy Definitions,

PS3.B: Energy Conservation & Transfer,

PS3.C: Energy & Forces,

PS3.D: Energy in Chemical Processes,

PS4.A: Wave Properties,

PS4.B: Electromagnetic Radiation

Other Subjects Covered:

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,

Math: Geometry,

Solar Car Engineering Challenge

Math: Statistics & Probability,

Math: Ratios & Proportions

Solar Car Engineering Challenge Unit

Grades:

6-8

Unit:

Description:

Students will build a solar car using instructions provided (Sol Run). They will take measurements of their car and then test to see how fast it can travel a 3m track. After students obtain their initial results they will research how to improve the car’s...

Energy Content:

Solar Photovoltaic

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

After the completion of this lesson students will be able to: • Describe how solar cars work • Accurately record and measure data • Use data to propose changes to experimental designs • Research a topic • Complete a full engineering assignment • Explain pros/cons of various prototypes • Work successfully within a group to accomplish a specific task • Brainstorm various ideas

Pedagogy & Practice:

Project-Based Learning

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,

5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Todd Freiboth

Relevant NGSS PE:

MS-ETS1-1,

MS-ETS1-2,

MS-ETS1-3,

MS-ETS1-4

Other Subjects Covered:

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,

Estimated Activity Length:

40 min

Mini Solar Houses Unit

Grades:

4-6

Unit:

Mini Solar Houses

Description:

In Lesson 1, the lesson focuses on understanding how the angle and orientation affect the amount of energy that is generated through use of a solar cell. Paper azimuth finders, Keva Planks, and multimeters will be used in order for students to draw...

Energy Content:

Solar Photovoltaic

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

1. Students will understand how to use an Azimuth finder to determine the direction and altitude that solar modules will face. 2. Students will learn how to describe why a solar module is pitched at a particular angle. 3. Students will understand how to measure the voltage and current for an electrical energy source. 4. Students will learn how to build a circuit that will light a light bulb with a switch and without a switch. 5. Students will understand that the electricity flows through a circuit from an energy source to a load. 6. Students will understand the difference between open and closed circuits. 7. Students will understand the similarities and differences between solar cells and batteries as an energy source. 8. Students will understand how electricity flows through a circuit (from energy sources to loads) with more than one source and more than one load. 9. Students will understand how to build series and parallel circuit and the characteristics of each. 10. Students will learn to power both a light and a fan. 11. Students will learn how to find a fault in a circuit. 12. Students will understand that the electricity flows through a circuit from an energy source to a load. 13. Students will understand the difference between open and closed circuits. 14. Students will identify the causes and solutions to various complications that arise in the construction of circuits. 15. Students will use the design process to create a roof to hold an adequate number of solar modules to power an LED and a fan. 16. Students will understand how to make a geometric net (a 2D drawing that when folded creates a 3D shape) for designing a roof.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Hands-on Materials

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,

2: Developing and Using Models,

3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,

7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence,

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Beverly Satterwhite

Relevant NGSS PE:

4-PS3-2,

4-PS3-4,

3-5-ETS1-1,

3-5-ETS1-2,

3-5-ETS1-3

Other Subjects Covered:

Estimated Activity Length:

8 hours

Resource Type:

Curriculum

Source:

Teach Engineering/University of Colorado

Published:

2014

Last Updated:

2020

Intended Grade Level:

3-5

Resource Link(s):

What is Electricity?

Description:

A basic introduction to electrical energy and how it shows up in the world, including understanding the atomic basis for electricity. Not phenomena driven, but a solid stand-alone lesson to help students understand electricity.

Location:

Energy Content:

Electrical Energy

NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea:

PS3.B: Energy Conservation & Transfer

Pedagogy & Practice:

English Language Strategies

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Speaking & Listening,