Teacher Activity Center

Part 1- Lesson 3: Home Energy Audit

Grades:

6-12

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

During this lesson, students will focus on where energy is used within their homes, how energy consumption is calculated, and how energy consumption can be reduced. Students will conduct a home energy audit and determine multiple ways to reduce energy...

Energy Content:

Circuitry,

Demand Response,

Electrical Energy,

Electronics,

Electrons,

Energy Efficiency,

Smart Grid

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

1.Students will identify all ways that energy is consumed within their homes.2.Students will perform an energy audit of their home and calculate the amount of energy used by each electronic device and appliances.3.Students will create a spreadsheet demonstrating the electricity required to operate each electronic device and appliance, along with a summary of finding that clearly identifies how energy consumption can be reduced within their home.4.Students will explore various ways to reduce energy (goal is 30% reduction).5.Students will propose a variety of energy reduction plans and present those options to their families for discussion.6.After discussion with their families, students will itemize the agreed upon plan and identify specific actions that result in quantifiable outcomes that will implemented to reduce energy consumption by their families.

Pedagogy & Practice:

21st Century Skills Development,

Empathetic Engineering,

Engineering Design,

Field Work,

Hands-on Materials,

Multiple Learning Styles,

Phenomena-Driven Instruction,

Place-Based Learning,

Project-Based Learning,

Research-Primary

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,

3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,

4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,

5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Jonathan Strunin

Relevant NGSS PE:

MS-ESS3-4,

MS-ETS1-1,

MS-ETS1-2,

MS-ETS1-3,

HS-ESS3-2,

HS-ESS3-4,

HS-ETS1-1,

HS-ETS1-2,

HS-ETS1-3,

HS-ETS1-4

Other Subjects Covered:

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,

Math: Algebra,

Math: Functions,

Math: Measurement,

Math: Ratios & Proportions

Estimated Activity Length:

4 hours

Part 2 - Lesson 3: Solar Energy

Grades:

6-12

Unit:

A Community Powered by Renewable Energy

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will work with local government staff or another local energy professional to propose a way to create enough solar power energy to supply the annual energy needs for a real building. Students will be provided with on-site options, and will...

Energy Content:

Electrical Energy,

Electrical Grid (Transmission & Distribution),

Electricity Generation,

Smart Grid,

Solar Photovoltaic

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

1.Students will conduct an experiment to determine how electrical output changes as solar panels as the azimuth and tilts are incrementally changed.2.Students will conduct an experiment to determine how electrical output changes as solar panels are shaded.3.Students will work with the staff from your city or town to calculate the amount of potential electrical energy that can be collected from solar panels based upon the location and size of the system.4.Students will use existing solar data to determine the number of solar panels required to power the building in question.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Engineering Design,

Group Work/Collaboration,

Hands-on Materials,

Multiple Learning Styles,

Place-Based Learning,

Project-Based Learning,

Research-Primary

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,

4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,

5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,