Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hybrid Vehicles: Cut Pollution and Save Money

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Math and science meet in this lesson on hybrid electric automobiles. This 24-page resource provides everything you need for teaching a lesson that compares the use of internal combustion engines to hybrid electric engines. Participants...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Kit Lesson #11 - Power Maximum: An Electrical Determination

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Collaborative groups connect resistors and solar panels in series and measure electrical resistance, voltage, and current. The objective is to order 16 solar panels from strongest to weakest. They graph current-voltage and power curves...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Transportation Fuels Debate

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students study the different transportation fuels.  In this energy sources lesson students debate the merits of their fuel over others while working together in groups.
Interactive
Curated OER

Energy Saving Digital Video Project

For Students 5th - 10th
In this energy worksheet, students click on the links to research the internet about energy and follow directions in order to create a digital video project. Students follow 8 sets of directions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

ENERGY, Design Competition: Energy Systems of the Future!

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners examine energy, where it comes from and the different fuels that are used.  In this energy lesson students design an energy infrastructure using a renewable energy source. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To Go Solar or Not to Go Solar!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers imagine that they are on a panel to consider if a solar energy system would be advantageous to a new school as it is being built. They read the included handout and then each play a role as a participant in a community...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Photovoltaic Cells and Systems

For Teachers 9th - 12th
This interesting document suggests nine different activities for shedding light on photovoltaic cells. A bit of background information is furnished for you, as well as many, many resource links. Listed for each activity are a learning...
Lesson Plan
National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Biomass: Biogas Generator

For Teachers 6th - 8th
It's a gas. Middle schoolers build a biogas generator following the directions in this resource. After a few days of observation, they demonstrate that the gas given off by the decomposing manure is flammable. The activity concludes as...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Energy Debate

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars research controversial issues surrounding the energy debate in the U.S. They role-play as stakeholders in this debate and testify to a mock congressional committee responsible for making decisions about public lands and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Running on Renewables

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Learners 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...
Worksheet
Texas State Energy Conservation Office

Investigation: Making a PV Cell

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Rise and shine! Class members collaborate to construct a photovoltaic solar cell with two semiconductor layers, as guided by this fabulous lab sheet. They test its output with an ammeter or galvanometer. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy and the Environment

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders define alternative energy form, design models which show how the energy source can be used, and explain the purpose of dams.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy: The US in Crisis?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research and assess past, present, and future decisions related to energy shortages by focusing on the California energy crisis as a case study. Students develop their own news articles about decisions that need to be made...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Environmental Issues Vocabulary and Speaking Exercise

For Students 6th - 8th
Eight color graphics fill the top half of this page. Each of them is meant to represent a different environmental topic: poaching, deforestation, pollution, etc. Youngsters associate vocabulary terms with each graphic and then answer...
Lesson Plan
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Teach Engineering

Solar Angles and Tracking Systems

For Teachers 9th - 12th
The sun will continue to rise in the east and set in the west, no matter what. The first lesson in a series of eight introduces the class to solar angles. It makes connections between a person's latitude and the angle of position of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Alternative Energies

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers 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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Energy Debate

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils explore the controversial issues surrounding the energy debate in Canada. They research recent initiatives being taken in this area and analyze their implication. Students then assume the roles of pivotal stakeholders in this...
Lesson Plan
National Renewable Energy Laboratory

No Fossils in This Fuel

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Yeast and sugar go beyond the pantry and into a fuel experiment. Use these common baking ingredients to assist your class in creating ethanol, a natural fuel. Pupils observe the process and gather information to elaborate...
Unit Plan
Teach Engineering

Solar Water: Heat it Up!

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Young engineers are instructed to design and build their own solar water heaters. Then, they calculate the efficiency and cost and compare them to commercially available models. This is a full unit for pupils to apply their knowledge.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

PHYSICS LESSONS

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the concept of electricity, what an electric current is and its relationship between voltage and resistance.In this electrical lesson students solve problems using Ohm's law, and research alternative sources of electricity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy in a Clean Environment

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the efficiency of each alternative energy source as well as what limitations exist in terms of extracting the usable energy. They determine which energy source is most effective to the economy and the environment in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Alternative Energy Part II - Lesson Eight of Eight - Energy Conversion and Propulsion

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students investigate the results of different propulsion methods. In this propulsion lesson, students measure the distance a test toy car goes using different types of propulsion. They record the distances in data tables before...
Interactive
Curated OER

Energy Plans and their Impact on You

For Students 6th - 8th
For this energy worksheet, students read articles on the internet about energy and answer short answer questions. Students answer 10 questions total.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy: Exploring Alternative Forms

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In the study of science, there is always going to be research, data, theories and wonderful new discoveries. I feel that my interest about energy will help me design an adequate unit full of intrigue and discovery. The students should...