As pupils progress through this lesson, it will dawn on them that the sun is an amazing source of renewable energy. They examine a case study of a place where it wasn't welcomed, and then conduct research to decide their own positions on...

High schoolers research the hydroelectric plant removal project that is underway on the Klamath River. They consider the replacement of hydroelectric dams with geothermal power plants and form an argument based on their viewpoints. Since...

It's amazing that the state of Washington has been using readily available snowmelt and gravity to produce electricity! Lively narration and current footage comprise this educational video. Computer animations enlighten the viewer about...

A small community in Denmark meets almost all of its energy needs through a solar energy plant. The video explains how solar panels work. Individuals in European countries who have installed solar panels on their homes share the...

This clever video has an old fashioned feel but presents a very modern technology. The formation of ethanol fuel from plant material is explained using simple computer animations and a salesman-sounding narrator. The advantages of using...

These Jeopardy-style presentations are usually a hit with pupils. This one is all about energy. The categories are energy terms, renewable energy, nonrenewable energy, and types of energy. The questions are challenging! This would be a...

Cost-benefit, green initiatives, global economics, and renewable energy are the topics of this thought-provoking lesson plan. Learners watch the video, NASCAR Goes Green, engage in a circular written discussion, then talk about the green...

We've talked a lot about energy, but where does energy come from? Pupils brainstorm different energy sources through a class discussion to kick off the 14th installment of a 25-part Energy Systems and Solutions unit. They then research...

Decide whether or not wind energy is the best resource for a town in a role-playing debate. Different groups take up the position of stakeholders on both sides of the argument. You will appreciate the materials and support provided in...

Whip up some wind in your class with this blustery lesson plan about the Lake Turkana wind energy project. Pupils view a video clip about the pros and cons of using wind turbines to generate electricity. They read two articles and take...

Wave goodbye to the same old demonstrations for alternative energy sources, and wave hello to this one investigating ocean waves! Using a water bottle to create an oscillating water column, learners see and possibly hear how the...

This demonstration of solar ponds can be used in an earth, environmental, or physical science setting. Lab groups set up a solar pond and model how it is able, due to a salt concentration gradient, to maintain heat for future use. 

Third in a set of lessons regarding reservoirs, dams, and hydropower, this involves a two-day hydropower plant simulation. Collaborative groups build, maintain, and finance the plant. The transparency of the reservoir setup can be...

A single slide introduces each of the following renewable energy sources: hydroelectric, wind, geothermal, solar, tidal, and biomass. This provides a succinct overview that you can use as a visual aid when you first introduce alternative...

Humans have become addicted to fossil fuels. From pumping oil into our cars, to burning natural gas to heat our water, or using coal to create electricity that lights our homes, we are constantly relying on these nonrenewable resources....

This video uses computer animation, pictures from an actual nuclear power generator, and narration by the Deputy Site Vice President of a Canadian power station. By viewing it, your class will increase their understanding of how nuclear...

Scotland would like to lead the way in wave technology. The power of the ocean's waves can be converted into usable energy. This fascinating video explores this innovative technology for using waves as a renewable energy source. Even...

A lively narrator talks about how solar energy can be converted into electricity. Brightly-colored animations and diagrams along with short video clips make this an appealing presentation. Use it as an introduction to solar power with...

Explain how a geothermal power plant works using this computer-animated video. The narrative is included on the video itself. Though not particularly engaging, the video is educational and can be used if you will be covering geothermal...

An engaging, technical animation that includes text and narrative to detail the production of electricity by wind turbines. Although it is short and simple, it is a valuable resource to use when teaching about alternative sources of energy.

A forty story tower collects the sun's rays from a series of 600 mirrors and converts them into usable energy for the city of Seville, Spain. The video quality is poor, but the technology is amazing, making this worthwhile to show when...

Throughout this five-day lesson, emerging environmentalists explore the use of ethanol as an alternative renewable energy source. On days two and three, they actually hydrolyze cornstarch and make colorimetric analyses. Be aware that...

Examine how people can create better efficiency in their homes by reducing their use of nonrenewable energy. They complete a lab activity on energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.

Fifth graders take a close look at how energy changes from one form to another within their surroundings. They also study the ten different sources of energy and determine which are renewable and which are non-renewable. This seven-page...