Sources of Energy

What is Energy? Where does it come from?

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
1
Description:

Students will be introduced to the scientific meaning of energy and complete a lesson on forms of energy vs. sources of energy. They will learn that most of the energy they use comes from fossil fuels. (Petroleum 35%, Natural Gas 27%, Coal 18%=82%)...

Energy Content:
Energy Fundamentals,
Sources of Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will obtain basic background information on energy. Students will use their background knowledge to determine what different examples of energy are.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Debbie Abel
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Energy Transformations

Introduction to Energy

Grades:
7-8
Unit:
Solar vs. Wind Energy
Lesson Number:
1
Description:

This lesson will introduce students to each of the different types of energy using PowerPoint slides, partner activities, and hands-on experiences with different kinds of energy including: batteries (chemical), electrical circuits (electrical), motors (...

Energy Content:
Energy Fundamentals
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
• Students will be able to name and describe at least 5 kinds of energy • Students will be able to identify and explain simple energy transformations
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,
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Author:
Craig Marais
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-PS3-3,
MS-PS3-5
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours
Energy Transformations

What is Energy?

Grades:
4-6
Unit:
Solar Boats
Lesson Number:
1
Description:

Students will gain an understanding of the fundamentals of energy through observing a variety of energy transformations and develop a foundational vocabulary for identifying and discussing energy concepts. Students will make observations about how energy...

Energy Content:
Electrical Energy,
Electricity and Magnetism,
Energy Fundamentals,
Light (Visible),
Potential & Kinetic Energy,
Sound,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will obtain the foundational knowledge of energy sources and forms of energy. In addition, students will learn that energy can transfer from one form to another. Students will build the understanding that there are different types of energy and many can not be directly observed.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Hands-on Materials,
Multiple Learning Styles
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems
Author:
Carol Patrick
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Basic Stamp Microprocessor

Measuring Voltage Using a Microcontroller

Grades:
9-12
Unit:
Robotic Sunflower
Lesson Number:
1
Description:

In this lesson students will be introduced to series circuits, resistors, a photoresistor and a microcontroller. There’s a lot here, but it boils down to making a voltage divider circuit and measuring the voltage at different points. A second circuit...

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electronics
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will apply Ohm’s Law. Students will use a multimeter to measure current, voltage, and resistance. Students will use a breadboard to set up a series circuit. Students will read circuit diagrams. Students will calculate times for an RC circuit to change state. Students will prove that resistors in series have an equivalent resistance equal to their individual sums. Students will program the Basic Stamp to measure voltage levels in a voltage divider and RC circuit.
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
2: Developing and Using Models,
5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Pat Blount
Relevant NGSS PE:
HS-ETS1-1,
HS-ETS1-2,
HS-ETS1-3,
HS-PS3-1,
HS-PS3-3
Other Subjects Covered:
Computer Science,
ELA: Vocabulary Development,
Math: Algebra,
Math: Functions,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours
Puerto Rico Power

When the Grid Goes Down and Stays Down

Grades:
7-8
Unit:
Chemical Differences in Emergency Energy Sources
Lesson Number:
1
Description:

Through an examination of media published in the five months following Hurricane Maria in 2017, students will develop an understanding of the electrical grid, the vulnerabilities of a grid system, and the immediate and long-term challenges of living...

Energy Content:
Electrical Grid (Transmission & Distribution),
Sources of Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will understand the general structure of an energy grid Students will develop an understanding of the living conditions in Puerto Rico after Hurricane MariaStudents will collaborate to brainstorm needs to support safety, health and comfort in a natural disaster setting.Students will identify energy resources that one might desire to have in order meet the needs they identify. 
Pedagogy & Practice:
Empathetic Engineering,
Phenomena-Driven Instruction,
Research-Secondary,
Social-Emotional Learning
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems
Author:
Melody Childers
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text,
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development,
Social Sciences: Analysis,
Social Sciences: Multicultural Studies
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Earth Sun

School Energy Hunt

Grades:
3-4
Unit:
Cooking with the Sun and Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
1
Description:

The purpose of this lesson is to help students understand that everything that is powered by energy comes from a source from nature. This is meant to be an introductory lesson on identifying sources of energy

Energy Content:
Sources of Energy
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-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
At the end of this lesson students will be able to list equipment in the school that is powered by energy. They will also be able to identify the various types of energy that power the equipment.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Place-Based Learning,
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Lisa Morgan
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Sources of Energy

Informative Writing: Where Does Energy Come From?

Grades:
3-8
Unit:
Solar Updraft Towers
Lesson Number:
1
Description:

This lesson is a (stand alone or in-unit) guided non-fiction research and writing project, which includes a differentiated choice menu and list of ideas for publishing the completed project. Each student will choose one of ten energy sources to research,...

Energy Content:
Biomass Energy,
Electrical Energy,
Electricity Generation,
Energy Fundamentals,
Fuels,
Geothermal Energy,
Hydrogen,
Hydropower,
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion,
Solar Photovoltaic,
Solar Thermal,
Sources of Energy,
Tidal Energy,
Wave Energy,
Wind Energy
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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 they have been used by humans.Students will learn about innovations and inventions used to find, recover, store and release energy for human consumption.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
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: Reading: Scientific & Technical,
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
10 hours

Keeping it Cool With Solar: Hot Spot/Cool Spot

Grades:
K-2
Unit:
Keeping it Cool With Solar
Lesson Number:
1
Description:

This is the first lesson where K- 2 students will investigate the effect of sunlight on the earth’s surface (K - PS3-1). The students will observe a video of an ice cube melting as the anchoring phenomenon for the unit. In this first lesson, students will...

Energy Content:
Energy Fundamentals,
Light (Visible),
Solar Thermal
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will consider and pose questions about what type of energy source can cause an ice cube to melt. Students will explore how the sun affects the Earth’s surface on the playground. Students will analyze data to understand how the sun affects the earth’s surface on the playground. Students will link the idea of sun/shade to hot/cool.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Early Childhood Learning,
Engineering Design,
Establishing a Culture of Science
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
Author:
Mark Lewin
Relevant NGSS PE:
K-PS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
30 min
All American Sun Oven

Heat Conduction of Different Materials

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
10
Description:

After a demonstration using Amazing Ice Melting Blocks, students will conduct small temperature experiments using different types of materials. They will use what they learn to build their solar ovens and additionally answer discussion questions in their...

Energy Content:
Materials Science,
Solar Thermal,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will learn that the material of the item that they choose to cook their egg in matters because different materials conduct heat differently. Students will compare insulators with conductors. Students will determine the purpose of conductors within a solar oven.
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
2: Developing and Using Models
Author:
Debbie Abel
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Sources of Energy

What is Renewable Energy?

Grades:
3-5
Unit:
Introducing Solar Energy
Lesson Number:
2
Description:

Students learn about renewable energy sources through a read-aloud of Loreen Leedy’s The Shocking Truth about Energy. Students use Internet sources to obtain more information about alternate sources of energy. They complete a reflection to synthesize the...

Energy Content:
Sources of Energy
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-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will be able to list and describe the main natural resources that people get energy from. Students will be able to describe the affect the use of different sources of energy has on the environment. Students will be able to describe the advantage of renewable sources of energy.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Leah Gorman
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours

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