Texas State Energy Conservation Office
Fueling the Future
Future mechanical engineers and automotive technicians read about various solutions to using gasoline in cars. Included are electric, fuel-cell-powered, and hybrid vehicles.
Texas State Energy Conservation Office
Investigation: Tour de Texas
Teams of Texas tourists gather into groups to analyze what they can do with $50 worth of an alternative fuel. They write checks, keep a balance sheet, and map out their sight-seeing route taking into consideration the location of...
Curated OER
Creating Biodiesel and Mitigating Waste
Biotechnology pros produce their own biofuel using waste oil and fresh vegetable oil. They test the quality of their product using titration techniques and pH analysis. They write their observations and report their findings. Be aware...
Curated OER
Gas Prices Keep Rising
Students discuss rising gas prices, then read a news article about how the increase in fuel cost may affect other prices. In this economics and current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary...
Texas State Energy Conservation Office
Creating an Advertisement
Advertising for the purpose of influencing public policy regarding the use of alternative fuels is the focus of an innovative and engaging lesson. Learners are split up into six team in order to create an advertising campaign that...
Curated OER
Fuel Cell Experimentation
With rising oil prices and increasing concerns over global warming, the pressure is on for engineers to develop alternative sources of energy. Among the new technologies being developed are hydrogen fuel cells, which young scientists...
Carnegie Mellon University
Transportation
Teach your environmental studies, life science, or engineering class how an internal combustion engine works using the first few slides of the accompanying presentation. Then, focus in on the resulting carbon emissions. Finally, take a...
Curated OER
Alternative Fuels: Debate Game
Seventh graders play a debate game as they explore the concept of alternative transportation fuel. They evaluate the advantages or disadvantages of using biofuels. Multiple resources, such as videos, PowerPoints, and websites are...
Curated OER
Solar Car Races: Build and retrofit for speed
If you have solar car kits for your junior high schoolers, they can experiment with photovoltaic cell angle, light intensity, and aerodynamic design to discover what makes their car move more quickly. This is a classic activity to use...
Curated OER
Methods of Power- Hybrids
Students list the reasons why people chose hybrid cars over traditional cars. In this technology lesson, students create a poster describing how hybrid cars work. They discuss ways to save fuel and improve a car's efficiency.
Curated OER
Recycled Vegetable Oil Powers Vans, Cars
Learners share their knowledge about fuel sources, then read a news article about vegetable oil as a cleaner alternative to gasoline. In this current events and environmental science lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a...
Curated OER
Kyoto Protocol
In this environment worksheet, students read an article about setting up the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty. They identify the meaning of human environment and what the Earth's greenhouse effect is. Students also explain the...
Curated OER
Selling and Buying a Green Car
High schoolers investigate the concerns over fuel sources and the debate over ethanol as an energy source. In this alternative energy lesson students complete an activity of selling and buying an environmentally friendly car.
University of Wisconsin
The Why Files: Diesel Smells Sweet!
Fess up. Faced with the morning craving for caffeine, do you, with trembling hand, pour that first delicious, nutritious cuppa joe, and then just trasho the soggy coffee grounds?
PBS
Pbs News Hour Extra: Choosing an Automobile, Understanding Alternative Fuels
This lesson plan encourages learners to look at alternative methods of fuel and explore the various impacts each has on the environment.
PBS
Pbs: News Hour: Alternative Fuels
This PBS science report on alternative fuels focuses mainly on ethanol. Multimedia features include a video from the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer [11:13], an interactive car comparison, and further reports on ethanol and other biofuels....
US Department of Energy
Eere: Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center Program
The Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center Program offers valuable information regarding the use of alternative fuels in the United States. This center is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean City action....
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Oil Shale
When converted to petroleum, oil shale is a valuable resource produced by many countries around the world, including the U.S. Wikipedia discusses the geology, history, economics, and environmental considerations of oil shale.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: High Altitude Wind Energy From Kites!
In this brief talk, Saul Griffith unveils the invention his new company Makani Power has been working on: giant kite turbines that create surprising amounts of clean, renewable energy. [5:22]
Other
Fuel Our Future Now: Grade 9 12 Module: Vehicle Design Virtual Lab [Pdf]
Students act as a community of STEM research professionals, working together to solve energy efficiency problems in today's vehicles. Students then design and test vehicles that are suitable for different consumer needs based on...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Energy, Light and Sound: Renewable Fuels
A slideshow and a short quiz on the different types of renewable energy sources.
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: Grade 3 5 Module: Designed for Efficiency [Pdf]
In this 3-5 teaching module, students conduct experiments, explore with online interactives, and watch videos that help them understand how vehicles work. Then, students demonstrate their understanding by designing energy efficient...
Other
Rew: Us Energy Department Funds Low Carbon Jet Fuel Demonstration Plant
An approval from the U.S. Energy Department will financially allow further development and testing of low-carbon fuel.
Energy for Sustainable Development
Esd Bulgaria: Kids & Energy: Energy Smart Inventions
Describes the use of electricity and of solar energy to power a vehicle.