California Academy of Science
Optimal and Sustainable: Renewable Energy Revamp
More than 100 cities around the world have shifted from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Scholars investigate a city wanting to make this switch, but needs help determining how to make the shift. Groups consider all options,...
Bonneville
Renewable Energy Panel
Plan a panel on public policy. On the first day of lessons, scholars identify local government planners and create questions to ask regarding renewable energy and infrastructure. On the second day, they conduct the panel and learn about...
Advocates for Human Rights
Civic Engagement and U.S. Immigration Policy
To conclude their study of immigration and human rights, class members create a civic engagement project centered on an issue of immigration and designed to influence US immigration policy. They examine examples of attempts to influence...
Curated OER
German Energy Conversations
Students identify and interpret the current German energy mix and trends, as well as to make comparisons and contrasts to that of their own country. They write a two paragraph description of including its likely position in the future...
Curated OER
The Energy Task Force
High schoolers simulate a meeting of the President's energy task force in order to observe how energy policy may be developed with the input of various groups. Students will form groups with the following roles: lobbyists, members of the...
Curated OER
Government: The Power Grab
Pupils are able to identify the departments and agencies within the executive branch that enforce energy policy. They are able to describe potential concerns that the executive branch must address when developing energy policy.
Curated OER
Zoo Poo
Students use Internet research to determine the amount of carbon dioxide produced per unit energy for biomass and coal. In this alternative energy lesson, students research to find out how much energy and carbon dioxide several coal and...
Curated OER
Campaign Signs and Pranksters
Students collect campaign literature and investigate what signs local candidates are using. Students contact local politicians/candidates and interview them about the concepts and creation of their campaign literature. Students compare...
Curated OER
It's All About Power
High schoolers explore the legislative process by discussing a current issue dealing with energy policy. They explain the role of government and how it affects their quality of life. Students identify and list the groups that create...
Curated OER
Unplugged
Students read the article "Power From the People Breaks the Hold of Batteries and Plugs." Students work in groups to examine various sources of power. Students debate the advantages and disadvantages of each power source. They assume the...
Curated OER
The Gulf Oil Disaster
Students take a closer look at the Gulf oil spill of 2010. In this global issues instructional activity, students analyze political cartoons related to the crisis. Students discuss their impressions of the crisis and U.S. energy policies.
Curated OER
Environmental Issues in South Carolina
Students research governmental agencies that deal with the environment and chart aspects about each agency. They role-play a city council meeting to address the topic of building a waste to energy facility.
Curated OER
California Electricity Crisis
Students study the causes of electricity shortage in California in 2000-2001. In this social studies lesson, students evaluate the effect of the deregulation process. They discuss the actions taken by the government to solve the crisis.
Curated OER
Life in THE JUNGLE
High schoolers discuss problems immigrants may have when coming to a new country. They take on the role of a law maker from the era and create an action plan and policy based on samples they read (links provided). Students discuss ways...
Curated OER
Oil Dependency Among Nations
Students research oil dependency amongst different nations in the world. In this oil dependency lesson plan, students use maps to locate oil sources, consider government actions on oil, and predict U.S. oil dependency.
Curated OER
What is an Iron Triangle?
High schoolers discuss how interest groups, congress and the executive branch play a role in policy making to make up the Iron Triangle. They list the three points of the Iron Triangle and explain the role they have on public policy....
Curated OER
Stepping Inside the Flowchart: How Does a Bill Become a Law?
Students explore the steps a bill must pass through to become a law and create a flow chart that maps the complexities of the process. They research the committees that are involved in a bill that relates to energy policy and the...
Curated OER
Candidate Obama Support and President Obama's Agenda
Students research categories within President Obama's agenda and create a PowerPoint presentation. In this President Obama agenda lesson, students research a category within President Obama's agenda and present their topic in a...
Curated OER
The New Frontier and the Great Society
In this 1960s American history worksheet, students identify the 7 terms that best match 7 descriptions, eliminate 3 false statements, and identify 2 historical themes pertaining to Kennedy's new frontier and Johnson's Great Society.
Curated OER
Power Play
Learners explore their own attitudes and practices regarding energy use, and then examine the perspectives of others in order to develop their knowledge of the current political debate on energy policy. Students reflect on their own...
Curated OER
Blacking Out Regulations
Students reflect on the role of electrical energy in their daily lives. They consider ways in which they might prepare for a blackout. They examine role of energy deregulation in the August 2003 blackout. Finally, they present this...
Curated OER
The Final Copy
Write short stories in which events are presented in logical order, point of view is clear, theme and characters are developed. Middle schoolers also work on sensory language, concrete language and/or dialogue. They establish their...
Curated OER
Can I Be Swayed?
Pupils identify loaded words and examples of bias in print media. They describe how media can be used to manipulate public opinion. Students identify examples of interest groups that use media to sway public opinion in order to impact...
Curated OER
How to Write a Bill
High schoolers view video excerpts from, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and discuss them to brainstorm how to write a bill. They divide into two groups representing senate committees to participate in a mark-up session where they read...