Science Matters
Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
Did you know there are at least 12 different energy sources? Scholars apply their knowledge about the different types of energy as they sort energy sources by renewable and nonrenewable. Then they pick one from each section to explain in...
National Wildlife Federation
An Energy Mix: Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
What did the windmill say about renewable energy? I'm a BIG fan! Lesson three in the series of 12 has classes discuss potential and kinetic energy and then, in pairs, they complete a web quest over the different types of energy...
Society of Petroleum Engineers
Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy
Energize an environmental science unit on natural resources with this collection of instructional materials. From simple coloring sheets for primary grade children, to guiding questions for a high school research report, a wide variety...
Science Matters
Solar Energy
The solar energy industry in the United States added more jobs in 2015 than the oil and gas extraction and pipeline industries combined. With the field growing so rapidly, it's essential to understand what solar energy is and how it...
Kenan Fellows
Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Energy Resources
Is one type of energy inherently good or bad? Young scientists explore energy resources in a week-long unit. After extensive research, groups create powerful position statements and presentations supporting their energy resource of choice.
Curated OER
Running on Renewables
Students investigate the costs and benefits of switching their school to sustainable technology energy production. They use software called HOMER developed by the National Renewable Energy Lab to do the cost/ benefit analysis. They then...
Curated OER
Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
Students identify renewable and nonrenewable resources. In this earth science lesson, students construct a T-chart of renewable and nonrenewable resources.
Curated OER
I Can Preserve My Planet
Students explore renewable and nonrenewable resources. In this ocean preservation lesson, students use KWL charts to understand ways the ocean is important to our daily lives. Students create a poster or wirte a letter to someone...
Curated OER
Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Resources
Fifth graders identify renewable vs. non-renewable resources and comprehend why conservation of resources is important. They are asked what they think the words natural and resource mean. Pupils then put the words together to define...
Curated OER
Chocolate Chip Cookie Mining
Young scholars explore nonrenewable energy resources. In this coal lesson, students investigate how coal is formed and how it is used as a source of energy. Young scholars mine for "coal" using toothpicks and chocolate chip cookies.
American Chemical Society
Preparation and Combustion of Biodiesel
The United States is the world's largest producer of biofuel. During an in-class investigation, young scientists produce their own biodiesel. They burn a sample of it to determine the heat of combustion. Then they discuss the results...
Curated OER
Renewable Energy Sources
Place learners into groups to research and present different renewable energy sources. As individuals listen to the class presentations, they take notes and then write a persuasive article defending the form of energy that they feel...
Curated OER
Making a Mini-Landfill
Students examine the materials that comprise the products they use. Students describe whether these materials are renewable or nonrenewable resource. Students observe what happens to materials when placed in a landfill.
Curated OER
Forest Stewardship
Students define the term forest stewardship and they identify good forest stewardship practices. They are asked:"Does anyone enjoy spending time in the woods?" Students identify techniques of practicing good forest stewardship (taking...
Curated OER
Wood Products Scavenger Hunt
Young scholars investigate the by-products of wood and explore the wood products in their own environment. Products containing both cellulose and silvichemicals obtained from the trees are examined in this lesson.
Curated OER
What Is This Computer Made Of?
Students identify how many resources are used to produce an item and why each resource is so important. They examine their own use of renewable and nonrenewable natural resources.
Curated OER
Ecology: Trees
Fourth graders read the defintions of renewale and nonrenewable resources and discuss any incorrect responses. They view a sample of work for the class to see which they describe posting responses on the board in their respective columns...
Curated OER
Peanut Mining
Third graders simulate the mining of an ore using peanuts. They discuss the implications of using resources that cannot be renewed. They make peanut butter and sample the product.
Curated OER
Uses of a Tree
Young scholars complete a word sort to discover the relationship of tree resources. In this tree resource lesson, students examine information from the word sort and the book "Be a Friend to Trees" by Patricia Lauber. Finally, young...
Curated OER
Exploring Alternative Energies
Students research various forms of alternative energy sources and examine the pros and cons of each type. They discuss American oil dependence and the Bush administration's policies regarding this issue.
Curated OER
Earth Pockets
Students identify the Earth's natural resources. For this Earth science lesson, students read the book The Great Kapok Tree and discuss types of natural resources. Students use categories such as wood, paper, and trees and list items...
Curated OER
Garbage 2: Recycling
Students apply what they have learned about throwaway products "and the valuable natural resources from which they're derived" by thinking about where garbage goes after they throw it out. They also examine their own ideas and habits...
Curated OER
The Water Cycle--Using Inspiration Software
Third graders describe and label the water cycle, and list how water changes from one form to another; students use Inspiration Software to label a blank water cycle diagram.
Curated OER
Using Natural Resources In Chinese And Japanese Art
Students discuss the uses and availability of natural resources in China and Japan and how those resources effected visual art from each country. This lesson includes two possible enrichment activities.