Curated OER
Fuel-Saving Speed
Students explore all the options open to beat the gas prices soaring as of late. In addition, explore what the ideal speed to drive for best gas mileage. Pros/Cons are debated on both sides of the issue. Included is discussion for an...
Curated OER
Fuel Mystery Dis-Solved
Students describe how temperature and surface area exposure affect the rate at which fuel is consumed. They explain why engineers want to know about the properties of a fuel when designing rockets. They create a bar graph of result data.
Curated OER
Conserving Electricity: Turn It Off
Second graders explore causes of air pollution and relate them to energy conservation.
Curated OER
Formation of Fossil Fuels
Young scholars research the origin of oil and natural gas to gather an understanding of the stages of fossil fuel formation. Then the class creates murals depicting the life cycle of a fossil fuel.
Curated OER
Energy Content Of Foods And Fuels
High schoolers engage in a study of food and how it used as fuel for the human body. They research how biological systems require energy and compare them to the physical science systems like machines. They compare and contrast what they...
Curated OER
You Light Up My Life: Developing a Scientific Theory for What Fuels a Candle's Flame!
Young scholars examine how candles work and how scientific theories are developed and tested. Students propose hypotheses about what is burning in a candle then perform tests in order to develop their scientific theory. After a teacher...
Curated OER
Biomass As a Fuel
Learners investigate the use of biomass as a fuel. They discuss energy and its uses in their homes. They explore the two types of energy, potential and kinetic and examples of both types. They study the process of photosynthesis and...
Curated OER
Fuel Cells
Young scholars examine how fuel cells and combustion engines work. Using the internet, they research the positives and negatives of the various energy sources. In groups, they complete an experiment with a working fuel cell model and...
Curated OER
Composition of Fuels -- Chemical Models Investigation
Students construct models of alternative fuel molecules and record their molecular formulas. They participate in a lab activity in which they demonstrate the chemical reactions that take place. They balance chemical equations.
Curated OER
Fuels for Everything -- Splitting Atoms
Learners participate in a lab activity in which they simulate the process of nuclear fission. They make predictions and write down their observations during the activity. They share their results with the class.
Curated OER
Creating an Advertisement
Middle schoolers discuss the benefits of using alternative fuels. They work together to create a one-page advertisment listing these benefits. They share their ad with the class.
Curated OER
Power Systems and Efficiency - Nuts! Investigation
Eighth graders measure the amount of energy found in different kinds of nuts. They use different types of burners and compare and contrast the efficiency of each. They also calculate an efficiency rating for a butane burner.
Curated OER
Math: Road Trip
Twelfth graders use road maps to calculate the distance between two locations. They estimate the cost for fuel and the miles per gallon. They consider other factors such as geography, road conditions, and traffic that may impact the cost.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Burning Biofuels: Comparing Nonrenewable and Renewable Fuels
Will using agrofuel offer a substantial alternative to using fossil fuel? With this experiment you can compare the amount of heat energy released by agrofuel and fossil fuel. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Biodiesels: Converting Oil Into Clean Fuel
Experiment making biodiesel from different types of oil and determine which oils give the best result. This science fair project from Science Buddies, although in an abbreviated format compared to other Science Buddies experiments, gives...
Other
Sheffield Hallam University: Gas Chromatography
This page uses diagrams and charts along with written text to explain gas chromatography.
Other
Chevron Corporation: The World of Chevron Human Energy
Find out about Chevron's products & services, their stand on environmental issues, their explorations in the U.S. and Canada, and a general overview of the company. Also late breaking news is available at this site.
PBS
Pbs: Pov Borders: Environment
Point of View is television's longest running showcase for independent non-fiction films. This particular feature provides insight regarding alternative means of energy, transport, and the consumption of natural resources. Video, games,...
US Department of Energy
Fus Ed Web: Physics of a Fundamental Energy Source
An excellent resource on nuclear fusion! Using incredible graphics and excellent discussion, this site (with its several pages) provides an exhaustive online course on the topic. Click on the link for "a Guided Tour" and begin.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Balloon Cars Revisited: Alternative Fuel Gases
In this activity, students use the common balloon cars they created which use air propelled out of a balloon as a fuel source to investigate how different gases (fuels) effect the travel distance of the balloon cars.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Jet Engine
This site from Wikipedia offers a good definition of "jet engine", then discusses the history of along with various types of jet engines. Links are provided throughout this article for additional information.
Climate Literacy
Clean: Fueling the Future: Evaluating the Sustainability of Biofuels
Students consider the impact and sustainability of use of different biofuels on the economy, the environment, and society. Students also learn about bioelectricity and how converting biomass to electricity may be the more efficient way...
Colorado State University
Csu: Model of Basic Otto Cycle
This site from the Colorado State University discusses the Otto cycle of a car engine. Includes a highly mathematical treatment of the efficiency of such engines. Includes a link to a java applet investigating the efficiency of such...