Curated OER
Mission Possible: Energy Trade-offs
Teams of electrical engineers work together to develop plans for increasing electricity to a fictitious, but growing community. They consider different sources of electricity, both renewable and nonrenewable, the cost of building and...
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...
National Wildlife Federation
Meet the Extractors, Harvesters, and Harnessers: Methods, Technology, Benefits and Consequences in Acquiring Natural Resources
There are advantages and disadvantages to all sources of energy; the trick is determining which one has the least impact! Part six in the series of 12 has learners further explore energy resources. After reading information about one of...
Curated OER
Conserving Electric Energy
Another fantastic instructional activity on energy is presented by the American Coal Foundation. This one focuses on electricity; how it is produced, how it is delivered, and how it is used. Some excellent handouts are embedded in this...
Curated OER
Chocolate Chip Cookie Mining
Students explore nonrenewable energy resources. In this coal lesson, students investigate how coal is formed and how it is used as a source of energy. Students mine for "coal" using toothpicks and chocolate chip cookies.
WE Charity
Elementary–Module 4: Energy and Housing
Many innovators are working on solutions to address environmental problems like energy-inefficient housing. Scholars have an opportunity to develop their own strategies using the fourth of five lessons from the WE Are...
Curated OER
Coal Supply and Demand
A hands-on simulation perfect for an economics lesson plan, young learners investigate the availability of different sources of natural energy (coal, natural gas, oil, solar, and nuclear) and how this availability affects their...
Curated OER
Transforming Energy
Super detailed, this lesson will educate physical science learners about the flow of electrons. Begin by reviewing potential and kinetic energy with a moving pendulum, and then get them online to observe interactive websites about...
Pace University
Grades 9-10 Energy Sources
Alternative energy sources are becoming increasingly important. Learners have the opportunity to explore alternative energy sources using a differentiated instruction unit. They group together based on ability levels, assign roles to...
Curated OER
Sources of Energy
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...
Curated OER
Soil, the Forgotten Resource
Learners discuss soil understanding that is is often overlooked as a natural resource. In this science lesson plan, students recognize that we depend on it for energy in the form of foods. Learners experiment with six boxes of soil to...
Kenan Fellows
Ready, Set, Save on Solar Energy Technology!
Does your class have a bright future in the solar energy industry? Science scholars take an in-depth look at what's new in solar technology. After completing research into the solar industry, participants create and market a product in...
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
Energy Adventure Scavenger Hunt
Students complete a scavenger hunt. In this energy lesson, students use various Internet websites to explore forms of energy, non-renewable sources, renewable sources, electricity, uses of energy and energy efficiency.
Curated OER
This Mine of Mine
Students explore natural resources by conducting a geology experiment in class. For this mineral mining lesson, students discuss the types of geological material that can be found when mining and the uses for these resources such as...
Curated OER
Characteristics of Energy
Fourth graders view a video and create a KWL to identify energy sources. In this energy sources lesson plan, 4th graders explore the meaning of energy, kinetic energy, potential energy, thermal energy, radiant energy, and electrical...
Curated OER
Energy: The Universal Currency
Science stars examine the concept of energy by thinking about everyday situations. The lesson plan is incohesive. It lists goals for the student, but doesn't address all of them in the content. The best use of this resource would simply...
Kenan Fellows
Electricity: Sources, Usage, Challenges, and the Future
What does the future of energy look like? Junior engineers collaborate to discover a solution to the global energy crisis during a very hands-on lesson. The unit focuses on learning through collaboration to develop a deep understanding...
Curated OER
Energy Conservation
Third graders discuss four points related to conservation. They work in groups to design a package to keep an ice cube from melting to demonstrate the concept of insulation. They then make a chart that shows which materials used did the...
Curated OER
Energy Conservation
Class is divided into groups of 2-4 students. They then are given a list of 36 items that are found in our homes and which use electricity. They are going to pretend that because of an energy shortage, they have to pick only twelve items...
Curated OER
Our Energy
Fifth graders research energy sources used in the United States. In this energy sources lesson, 5th graders work in teams to research various energy sources. Students complete a worksheet for the research and make a short video of a...
Curated OER
Mission 6: Renewable Energy
In these renewable energy worksheets, learners learn about renewable energy and energy sources. Students complete a 23 page packet for the activity.
Teach Engineering
Life Cycles
Breathe some life into product design. Pupils learn about the stages of product creation, use, and disposal—sometimes called a cradle-to-grave assessment. They see how this cycle relates to the life cycle of organisms.
Curated OER
Corn Harvest
Students read Corn Belt Harvest and write sentences about corn's uses. They visit a cornfield and a grain elevator or have guest speakers come to class. They design posters about harvesting or processing corn into grain.