Lesson Plan
TryEngineering

Try Engineering: Working With Wind Energy

For Teachers 9th - 10th
After studying wind energy, student teams design and test a windmill that has to meet specific criteria. Afterwards, they evaluate the success of their design and how they could improve it.
Primary
PBS

Pbs News Hour: America's Energy Addiction

For Students 9th - 10th
In a February, 2006, report, NewsHour presents a discussion of George W. Bush's energy policy, rising gas prices, alternative energy sources, etc. Transcript, audio and video of report are available.
Primary
Other

Presidential Rhetoric: George W. Bush: Energy Policy

For Students 9th - 10th
President George W. Bush discusses his energy policy, American's dependence on oil and alternative fuel in this April, 2006, speech.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs News Hour Extra: Choosing an Automobile, Understanding Alternative Fuels

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson plan encourages students to look at alternative methods of fuel and explore the various impacts each has on the environment.
Handout
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Global Warming: Beyond Fossil Fuels

For Students 9th - 10th
Martin Hoffert, professor of physics at New York University, discusses global warming and alternative energies in this interview from the NOVA/FRONTLINE: "What's Up with the Weather?"
Website
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

The National Academies: Renewable Sources: Geothermal

For Students 9th - 10th
Geothermal energy is being used today on a small scale but is an appealing alternative to other sources of energy as it has little impact on the environment. This source of energy and how we are harnessing it are described here.
Website
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

The National Academies: Renewable Sources: Hydroelectric

For Students 9th - 10th
Hydroelectric power has been a major source of energy production in the United States. More recently, other alternative energy sources have taken some of its market share. Hydroelectricity has both advantages and disadvantages, briefly...
Website
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

The National Academies: Renewable Sources: Biomass

For Students 9th - 10th
The pros and cons of harnessing energy from biomass are outlined. Biomass refers to biological materials that are used to produce energy. Wood and manure are examples of biomass.
Website
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

The National Academies: Renewable Sources: Wind

For Students 9th - 10th
The status of wind energy production in the United States is described, with the advantages and disadvantages of this alternative energy source.
Website
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

The National Academies: Emerging Technologies: Hydrogen Fuel Cells

For Students 9th - 10th
The advantages and disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cell technology as a source for energy production are outlined. There is still much to be done in research and development before this energy source can be marketed widely.
Website
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

The National Academies: Emerging Technologies: Biofuels

For Students 9th - 10th
Biofuels are made from organic materials such as corn and algae, as well as sugars and starches from plant cellulose. They have advantages such as sustainability and lowered greenhouse gas production, but they can impact on the...
Website
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

The National Academies: Renewable Sources: Solar

For Students 9th - 10th
Solar energy is an appealing alternative to conventional sources of energy because it produces no greenhouse gases. An overview of its advantages and disadvantages is presented here.
Graphic
US Energy Information Administration

Energy Information Administration: Country Analysis Brief

For Students 9th - 10th
Contains briefs with a narrative section, a map showing the country's location, and a section listing pertinent economic and energy data for every country in the world of interest to energy policy makers.
Primary
PBS

Pbs Nova: The Big Energy Gamble

For Students 9th - 10th
While most people believe that global warming is a reality, Marlo Lewis, Jr. is a skeptic. Lewis is with the Competitive Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C. In this interview, he questions the California initiative to lower...
Article
Other

Edie Weekly News: Bush Unveils Energy Plan

For Students 9th - 10th
This is an article looks at criticisms of the Bush energy plan. Gives perspectives from environmentalists and democrats. A great way to exercise critical thinking skills and weigh various perspectives.
Activity
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Claim Testers: Episode 4 Fueling the Future

For Students 9th - 10th
The claim tester gang comes face-to-face with Orx-30. This comic focuses around the topic of sustainable forms of energy.
Website
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

The National Academies: Emerging Technologies: Advanced Nuclear Fission

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief explanation of the advances being made in the design of nuclear power facilities.
Handout
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

The National Academies: Emerging Technologies: Electric Vehicles

For Students 9th - 10th
Electric vehicles are in use today but pose challenges to widespread distribution. One of the challenges is to develop a battery that can hold enough energy for longer trips. Various solutions are being tried but mass marketing of this...