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Unit Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Environmental Challenges in China

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students learn about the wonderful and fascinating country of China, and its environmental challenges that require engineering solutions, many in the form of increased energy efficiency, the incorporation of renewable energy, and new...
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Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Energy Resources and Systems

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Several activities are included to teach and research the differences between renewable and non-renewable resources and various energy resources. Learners work with a quantitative, but simple model of energy resources to show how rapidly...
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Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Off the Grid

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students learn and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of renewable and non-renewable energy sources. They also learn about our nation's electric power grid and what it means for a residential home to be "off the grid."
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Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Form vs. Function

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students take a closer look at cars and learn about some characteristics that affect their energy efficiency, including rolling resistance and the aerodynamics of shape and size. They come to see how vehicles are one example of a product...
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Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: The Habitable Planet: Energy Challenges

For Students 9th - 10th
With this resource, users join investigators in the exploration of humans' use of and dependence on the many energy resources. Learn about new technologies such as carbon capture and sequestration as an alternative to reduce our carbon...
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Activity
McGraw Hill

Glencoe: Technology Education: Alternative Fuels Web Quest

For Students 9th - 10th
The object of this WebQuest is for you to research alternative fuels and figure out their benefits. Resources are provided as well as study questions to guide your quest.
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Activity
US Department of Energy

U.s. Dept. Of Energy: Geothermal Energy [Pdf]

For Students 5th - 8th
A thorough overview of geothermal energy followed by directions for science fair projects including a glossary, standards, and a rubric.
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Interactive
PBS

Kqed: Quest: How Nuclear Reactors Work

For Students 9th - 10th
This interactive explorer allows students to click on a hot spot on the image and learn more about how nuclear reactors work.
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Graphic
US Department of Energy

U.s. Department of Energy: Fuel Cell Technologies Program: Fuel Cell Animation

For Students 9th - 10th
A series of animated illustrations show how a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell works. PEM fuel cells are the most common type used in flex-fuel vehicles.
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Unit Plan
US Department of Energy

Eere: Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center Program

For Students 9th - 10th
The Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center Program offers valuable information regarding the use of alternative fuels in the United States. This center is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean City action....
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eBook
Other

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts: The Energy Report: Wind Energy [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Chapter 11 of a report on the energy industry in Texas. It looks at wind energy, its history, and how it is used. The wind power industry in Texas is described, its economic importance, how it is produced and transmitted, and its...
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Article
Other

It's Not a Pipe Dream: Clean Energy From Water Pipes Comes to Portland

For Students 9th - 10th
A Portland, Oregon-based startup that launched in 2007, is starting to capture the energy of water pipes, beginning with a pilot project in Riverside, California and now with a full-scale project in Portland.
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Article
Other

Wbur: New England's Electric Power Grid Is Undergoing a Transformation

For Students 9th - 10th
This article discusses New England's developing hybrid power grid, a network that relies on a variety of energy resources, including fuels and alternative energy sources and technologies. The ongoing transformation to renewable energy is...
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Interactive
Discovery Education

Discovery Education: Science of Everyday Life: 3 M Wind Energy Virtual Lab

For Students 9th - 10th
Do you think you can design a wind turbine that supplies energy to 400 homes at the highest efficiency and lowest cost? Try your hand at turbine design in this interactive activity that allows you design, build, and test a device to...
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Handout
Other

Centre for Alternative Technology: Information Service

For Students 9th - 10th
Information and advice on sustainable living. Provides data for people that might want to use technology in the construction or conversion of their home into an environmentally sustainable structure.
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Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Build Your Own Windmill Generator

For Students 9th - 10th
Build your own windmill and see how the wind can be converted into energy to produce electricity. This science fair project should help you understand the use of wind as a source of alternative energy. The Science Buddies project ideas...
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Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: Pov Borders: Environment

For Students 9th - 10th
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,...
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Graphic
US Department of Energy

Fus Ed Web: Physics of a Fundamental Energy Source

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Lesson Plan
National Geographic

National Geographic: Evaluating Other Energy Sources

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A comprehensive lesson where students examine the different costs and benefits associated with renewable and nonrenewable sources of electricity. Includes a 22-question interactive module where they look at real-world data and images...
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Activity
National Geographic

National Geographic: Using Waste Heat to Generate Electricity

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students learn about waste heat capture, how it can be re-used to generate electricity and develop a podcast educating others about it. Includes student handouts and links to many online resources.
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Handout
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Global Warming: Beyond Fossil Fuels

For Students 9th - 10th
Martin Hoffert, professor of physics at New York University, discusses global warming and alternative energies in this interview from the NOVA/FRONTLINE: "What's Up with the Weather?"
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Handout
State Energy Conservation Office-Texas

State Energy Conservation Office: Feasibility of Photovoltaic Systems [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Summarizes how a photovoltaic or PV system works to convert solar energy into electricity. Explains how to estimate what size of PV system is needed and what the cost would be, and provides a worksheet with formulas for calculating...
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Unit Plan
American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History: Ology: Rising Co2! What Can We Do?

For Students 3rd - 5th
With this resource, students learn how much fossil fuel emissions have increased since 1600 by exploring a graph showing carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Then answer questions and read facts about climate change over the centuries....
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Website
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: "Renewable Energy"

For Students 9th - 10th
WLVT PBS 39 explores how a family in Berks County, Pennsylvania has put much of the renewable energy resources to work on their farm. All of these technologies were showcased at the Renewable Energy Sustainable Living Festival for the...