National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Biomass: Biogas Generator
It's a gas. Middle schoolers build a biogas generator following the directions in this resource. After a few days of observation, they demonstrate that the gas given off by the decomposing manure is flammable. The activity concludes as...
Curated OER
Clean, Green Power
Students explore and discuss alternative energy sources, and identify disadvantages of current fossil fuels.
Curated OER
Alternate Energy
Ninth graders present alternate energy sources to the class. In this alternative energy lesson, 9th graders research and present alternative energy resources to the class. They use Power Point and Alice software in their work.
Curated OER
Plants in Your Gas Tank: From Photosynthesis to Ethanol
Explore ethanol and how it is produced. Young scientists investigate photosynthesis and fermentation to the concept of conservation of energy and mass. They discuss the environmental and economical benefits of ethanol as a fuel additive.
Science Friday
Wind Power
Blow away the competition with a lesson about wind power and turbines. Groups build windmills to test how the size of blades affect the amount of work done. The scholars build a variety of blades and collect data on how each type...
Curated OER
Energy Is Everywhere
Students determine the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources and identify the different forms of energy. They discuss life without energy and where energy comes from before reading an article about the different...
Curated OER
Investigating and Using Biomass Gases
Students examine the definitions of biomas gasification and generate their own biomass gas. In this renewable energy instructional activity students collect gases and roast a marshmallow.
Curated OER
Discover How Trees Produce and Conserve Energy
Students discover the flow of energy from plants to humans, the importance of this and how the energy chain is effected. In this informational lesson students will see how energy is produced and conserved by trees and how it can be...
Curated OER
No Fossils in This Fuel!
Students explain how technology leads to a cleaner environment. They gain hands-on experience with ethanol as a fuel alternative.
Curated OER
Conservation and Wildlife Protection
In this conservation worksheet, learners review renewable energy sources, farming methods that prevent erosion, and the benefits of reforestation. This worksheet has 8 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Student Exploration: Energy Conversions
In this earthquake exploration worksheet, students complete 3 prior knowledge questions, then use "Energy Conversions Gizmo" to conduct several activities, completing short answer questions when finished.
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Pennsylvania’s Energy Supply
Third graders become familiar with the various types of energy and which types are found in Pennsylvania. In this Pennsylvanian energy resources lesson, 3rd graders, identify wind and water as sources of energy. Students...
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
Fossil Fuels: Facing the Issues
Students explore energy by researching fuel usage on Earth. In this fossil fuel lesson, students define fossil fuels, the energy created by burning them, and the impact on the environment when using them. Students conduct pollution...
Forest Foundation
Nature's Treasure Chest
Renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable. As part of their study of the forest ecosystem, class members read "Nature's Treasure Chest" about the many products made from trees and then craft their own recycled paper.
Curated OER
Environmental Agents of Mathematics: Mathematics for Change
High schoolers analyze environmental science data using Math. They do research about renewable energy, gather data, create graphs and interpret their findings. Then the group presents their arguments persuasively using their findings to...
EarthEcho International
Investigating How Electricity is Generated
What is the real cost of electricity? The real cost is not just the price you pay, but the environmental and economic costs as well. Scholars build, use, and judge the effectiveness of a turbine. They also investigate the...
Intel
Using Electricity on the Job
Learners explore electricity, discussing its importance and researching different ways in which electricity can be generated. Groups present their findings to the class and then create publicity materials which promote and educate about...
WindWise Education
When is a Wind Farm a Good Investment?
When will a wind farm pay for itself? Individuals calculate the anticipated annual revenue for two proposed wind farms. By comparing the number of years it takes to pay back the initial investment, they determine which site makes the...
Curated OER
The Sun - Renewable Energy Source
In this sun activity, learners click on the links to read about the sun and then answer short answer questions about it. Students complete 10 questions.
Curated OER
Energy Source Puzzles
Students identify renewable and nonrenewable resources. For this energy source lesson, students participate in a game to identify the various types of resources. There are various extensions to this lesson, such as tic-tac-toe and memory...
Curated OER
To Renew, or Not to Renew
Students explore the various types of renewable energy. After reading articles, they discover the advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy. They also explore the challenges to switch over to using more and more renewable energy...
Curated OER
Solar Car activity
Students study the basic concept of solar energy. They build a working solar car. Students comprehend how solar energy can be produced via a solar panel. They examine the physics that describe how a solar panel works.
Curated OER
Energy and Fuels
Learners compare and contrast the various energy resources available to the general population. Working in groups, they research the energy source of their choice and create a presentation detail their research and comparing their...