Curated OER
Lesson 7: Smart Grids
Energy conservation is a hot topic these days; introduce your kids to the Smart Grid solution through a video clip and several interactive online tools. They discuss areas of household energy consumption, examining a pie chart...
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...
Curated OER
Chocolate Chip Cookie Mining
Students explore nonrenewable energy resources. In this coal instructional activity, 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.
Curated OER
Things That Glow
Third graders study the concept of light as an energy source. For this energy lesson students participate in a lab that show them the concept of light as an energy source.
Curated OER
Solar Kit Lesson #1 Solar Cell Inquiry
Students use a selection of solar panels, lamps, motors, and an AA battery to get as many motors or lights to operate as they can in an allotted time period. For each successful arrangement, they draw a diagram of their setup, label the...
Encyclopedia of Earth
Encyclopedia of Earth: Energy
A collection of articles on energy-related topics, including fossil fuels, conservation, alternative energy, and environmental issues.
Other
Lehigh University: Energy
An inquiry-based science unit for middle school young scholars centered on the world's energy sources. The lessons integrate technology and lab activities while teaching about energy sources, production, and consumption.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Renewable Energy Living Lab: The Bright Idea
Students use real-world data to evaluate the feasibility of solar energy and other renewable energy sources in different U.S. locations. Working in small groups, students act as engineers evaluating the suitability of installing solar...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Renewable Energy Living Lab: Energy Experts
Students use real-world data to evaluate various renewable energy sources and the feasibility of implementing these sources. Working in small groups, students use data from the Renewable Energy Living Lab to describe and understand the...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Renewable Energy Living Lab
Students become familiar with the online Renewable Energy Living Lab interface and access its real-world solar energy data to evaluate the potential for solar generation in various U.S. locations. They become familiar with where the most...
Utah Education Network
Uen: Fat a Concentrated Energy Source
Through these lesson plans, students explore and discuss the role of dietary fat as an important energy source. In addition to providing detailed instructions for teachers, this website includes all the handouts and charts needed to...
US Department of Energy
U.s. Dept. Of Energy: Geothermal Energy [Pdf]
A thorough overview of geothermal energy followed by directions for science fair projects including a glossary, standards, and a rubric.
Other
Fuel Our Future Now: Gr. 6 8 Module: Designing a Vehicle for the Year 2020 [Pdf]
In this 6-8 teaching module, middle schoolers learn about natural resources, human impact on the environment, and engineering design in vehicle transportation. Using real world scientific data and scientific reasoning skills, they...
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Natural Gas Formation
In this investigation, learners make a simple model of how gasses can form from decaying material. They will also explore the effects of temperature on gas formation.
Other
American Gas Association: Learn About Natural Gas
Learn about natural gas including topics such as statistics on natural gas usage in the United States and little-known facts about this energy source.
Read Works
Read Works: Electricity & Energy Circuits
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about electric circuits. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Energy4Me
Energy4me: Petroleum Oil and Natural Gas
Learn the history of the world's use of the fossil fuels oil and natural gas for usable energy.
Other
First Energy: The Electric Avenue: Energy Fun Factory
Here, students can learn all about energy sources and electricity. Activities include games and calculating energy costs in their homes.
Other
Independent Television Service: World Without Oil: Lesson Plans
Ten lessons that challenge learners to consider the possible reality of a world without oil.
Energy4Me
Energy4me: Energy: Making Our Lives Easier
A complete slide show which teaches about the role petroleum natural gas play in our use of energy.
Energy4Me
Energy4me: Coal
Learn about the use of coal as a usable form of electricity, and find out the history of this natural resource.
BiologyWise
Biology Wise: Chemosynthesis and Photosynthesis
Compares chemosynthesis and photosynthesis, including their chemical reactions, where they take place, their energy sources, the organisms that perform each, the factors that affect their reaction rates, and the byproducts for each.
Science4Fun
Science4 Fun: Hydropower
What is hydropower? Discover how electricity is generated from hydropower, three methods of generating electricity, and the advantages and disadvantages.