Source:
US Department of Energy
Published:
2017
Last Updated:
2021
Intended Grade Level:
PreK-2,
3-5,
MS,
HS,
OST,
Post Secondary
Description:

Energy Literacy: Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts for Energy Education is an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning about energy. The framework identifies seven Essential Principles and a set of Fundamental Concepts to support each principle. The guide does not seek to identify all areas of energy understanding, but rather to focus on those that are essential for all citizens K-Gray. It presents energy concepts that, if understood and applied, will help individuals and communities make informed energy decisions.

Location:
Sphero SPRK+

Solar SPRK+ Unit Overview

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
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...

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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.
Author:
Deb Frankel
Estimated Activity Length:
10 hours
Source:
University of Chicago
Published:
2021
Last Updated:
2021
Intended Grade Level:
3-5,
MS,
HS,
Post Secondary
Description:

A really interesting interactive graphic that allows students to explore different sources and end uses of energy over the history of the United States. It clearly demonstrates how energy sources have shifted over time, as well as increasing energy consumption as the US population expanded.

Location:
Pedagogy & Practice:

Adrift in a Sea of Plastic Unit Plan

Grades:
5-8
Description:

In this unit students will investigate the phenomena of plastic trash islands floating in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The students will work to solve the problem of plastic trash islands through the engineering and design process. Using 3D printers,...

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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
·       Students will design 3D models using Tinkercad software.·       Students will define the problem of plastic trash islands.·       Students will describe possible solutions to the problem of plastic trash islands.·       Students will research the plastic trash problem and create google slideshows the problem and how we might fix it.·       Students will investigate different ways to build structures that both float and hold weight.·       Students will build a model of a device that could collect plastic from the ocean.·       Students will test the models they build.·       Students will communicate their results from scientific inquiry to identify factors that are important to optimizing the design of the plastic collecting device.
Author:
Jonathan Strunin
Estimated Activity Length:
10 hours
Source:
Climate Justice Alliance
Published:
2016
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
MS,
HS,
OST,
Post Secondary
Description:

Released in response to President Obama's Clean Power Plan, this analysis and policy platform's goal is "to empower communities working for a Just Transition to a clean energy future by organizing to protect the integrity of the CPP and ensuring Federal and State Implementation Plans adhere to principles of environmental justice." It addresses effects on frontline communities, incorproatin of environmetal justice principles into state and federal energy plans, regulation of carbon and co-pollutant emisisons, policy loopholes to incentivize fossil fuel extraction, clean energy and conservtation, and access to clean energy careers.

Location:
Source:
Murdock Charitable Trust
Published:
2020
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
HS,
Post Secondary
Description:

This unique program pairs high school science teachers with a mentor doing cutting-edge research in an academic lab or a lab associated with another nonprofit institution. The Murdock Trust awards approximately 25 Partners in Science grants each year to fund these teacher-mentor research opportunities in the Pacific Northwest. Our goal is to help teachers bring knowledge from the research lab directly into the classroom to promote hands-on science education. 

Other Subjects Covered:
Source:
Hukseflux Thermal Sensors
Published:
2020
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
MS,
HS,
Post Secondary
Description:

A free iPhone app that allows you to take data on irradiance (in Watts/area), to be able to compare electrical output from solar photovoltaic panels to the irradiance they receive. 

Location:
Energy Content:
Source:
Renewable Northwest
Published:
2020
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
3-5,
MS,
HS,
Post Secondary
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.

Other Subjects Covered:
Source:
International Energy Agency
Published:
2020
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
MS,
HS,
Post Secondary
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.

Pedagogy & Practice:
Other Subjects Covered:
Source:
Oregon Department of Energy
Published:
2020
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
3-5,
MS,
HS,
OST
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.