Resource Type:
Instructional Resource,
Curriculum,
Engineering Challenges
Source:
KidWind
Published:
2015
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
MS,
HS
Resource Link(s):
Report Broken Link
Description:

A time-tested series of 19 lessons developed by KidWInd to explore Wind Energy, using KidWind or DIY wind turbines designed by students. Lessons span from basic concepts of wind energy all the way through sighting of windmills and impacts on people and wildlife.

Location:
National
Energy Content:
Energy & Society,
Electricity and Magnetism,
Electricity Generation,
Sources of Energy,
Wind Energy
NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea:
ESS2.D: Weather & Climate,
ESS3.A: Natural Resources,
ESS3.C: Human Impact,
PS1.A: Matter: Structure & Properties,
PS2.A: Forces & Motion,
PS2.B: Interactions Between Forces,
PS3.A: Energy Definitions,
PS3.B: Energy Conservation & Transfer,
PS3.C: Energy & Forces
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Multiple Learning Styles
Other Subjects Covered:
Math: Algebra,
Math: Functions,
Math: Measurement,
Math: Ratios & Proportions,
Social Sciences: Geography
Resource Type:
Instructional Resource,
Curriculum
Source:
Seattle Public Schools, Tilth Alliance, University of Washington, Northwestern University, National Science Foundations
Published:
2018
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
PreK-2,
3-5,
MS,
HS,
OST
Resource Link(s):
Report Broken Link
Description:

A great learning framework for place- and field-based seasonal exploration, which is an essential aspect of understanding local resources and seasonality that affects energy generation sources and usage. Includes curricular materials in English and Spanish, and materials and family materials and activities as well. 

Location:
National
Energy Content:
Energy & Society
NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea:
ESS2.A: Earth Materials & Systems,
ESS2.C: Water on Earth,
ESS2.D: Weather & Climate,
ESS3.A: Natural Resources
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
Engineering Design,
Establishing a Culture of Science,
Field Work,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Multiple Learning Styles,
Phenomena-Driven Instruction,
Place-Based Learning,
Project-Based Learning,
Research-Primary
Other Subjects Covered:
Environmental Sciences,
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Writing,
Social Sciences: Geography
Resource Type:
Pedagogy,
Research
Source:
TERC
Published:
2012
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
PreK-2,
3-5,
MS,
HS
Resource Link(s):
Report Broken Link
Description:

Teacher guide that focuses on introduing and strategies for fostering academically productive talk in classrooms, with a focus on STEM practices of Construction Explanations and Arguing from Evidence. Has many great tools for fostering a culture of evidence-based dialog in classroom environments.

Location:
National
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
English Language Strategies,
Establishing a Culture of Science,
Multiple Learning Styles
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening
Resource Type:
Instructional Resource,
Interactive,
Visualization/Simulation,
At-Home
Source:
National Geographic
Published:
2014
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
3-5,
MS,
HS
Resource Link(s):
Report Broken Link
Description:

A robust game/simulation that models energy in many city simulations and requires players to balance energy needs, costs, environmental and social concerns as they seek to power their growing region. A fantastic way to introduce or reinforce exploration of sources of energy and grid concepts.

NOTE: THis game uses Adobe Flash, which is being phased out by many browsers. You may need to find a browser that will support Flash in order to access the game. 

Location:
National
Energy Content:
Energy & Society,
Electrical Grid (Transmission & Distribution),
Electricity Generation,
Energy Efficiency,
Fuels,
Hydropower,
Microgrids,
Solar Photovoltaic,
Sources of Energy,
Wind Energy
NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea:
ESS2.A: Earth Materials & Systems,
ESS3.A: Natural Resources,
ESS3.C: Human Impact,
ESS3.D: Climate Change
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
Engineering Design,
Multiple Learning Styles
Other Subjects Covered:
Environmental Sciences,
Social Sciences: Civics,
Social Sciences: Economics
Resource Type:
Pedagogy,
Curriculum,
Research,
Phenomena
Source:
University of Washington
Published:
2020
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
PreK-2,
3-5,
MS,
HS,
OST
Resource Link(s):
Report Broken Link
Description:

This web site provides a vision of ambitious science instruction for elementary, middle school and high school classrooms. Ambitious teaching deliberately aims to support students of all backgrounds to deeply understand science ideas, participate in the activities of the discipline, and solve authentic problems.

AST features 4 core sets of teaching practices that support these goals. These core sets make up the Ambitious Science Teaching Framework. The framework has been based on classroom research from the past 30 years—research that has asked, “What kinds of talk, tasks, and tools do students need in order to fully engage in meaningful forms of science learning?”

If you are a member of a group of science educators committed to the improvement of teaching, the vision, practices, and tools here will furnish a common language for you about teaching. You will be able to identify “what we will get better at” and how to get started.

Location:
National
NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea:
ESS1.B: Solar System,
ESS1.C: Earth History,
ESS2.A: Earth Materials & Systems,
ESS2.C: Water on Earth,
ESS2.D: Weather & Climate,
ESS3.A: Natural Resources,
ESS3.C: Human Impact,
ESS3.D: Climate Change,
LS2.B: Matter & Energy Cycles,
LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics,
LS4.D: Biodiversity & Humans,
PS1.A: Matter: Structure & Properties,
PS1.B: Chemical Reactions,
PS1.C: Nuclear Processes,
PS2.A: Forces & Motion,
PS2.B: Interactions Between Forces,
PS3.A: Energy Definitions,
PS3.B: Energy Conservation & Transfer,
PS3.C: Energy & Forces,
PS3.D: Energy in Chemical Processes,
PS4.A: Wave Properties,
PS4.B: Electromagnetic Radiation,
PS4.C: Information Technologies
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
Culturally Sustaining,
Empathetic Engineering,
Early Childhood Learning,
English Language Strategies,
Engineering Design,
Establishing a Culture of Science,
Multiple Learning Styles,
Phenomena-Driven Instruction,
Project-Based Learning
NSTA
Resource Type:
Article
Source:
National Science Teachers Association
Published:
2020
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
PreK-2,
3-5,
MS,
HS,
OST,
Post Secondary
Resource Link(s):
Report Broken Link
Description:

A fantastic article that highlights the necessity of incuding culturally-responsive approaches to STEM pedagogy. A great primer for understand culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogies in a STEM context.

Location:
National
Energy Content:
Energy & Society,
Energy Equity and Justice
NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea:
ESS1.B: Solar System,
ESS1.C: Earth History,
ESS2.A: Earth Materials & Systems,
ESS2.C: Water on Earth,
ESS2.D: Weather & Climate,
ESS3.A: Natural Resources,
ESS3.C: Human Impact,
ESS3.D: Climate Change,
LS2.B: Matter & Energy Cycles,
LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics,
LS4.D: Biodiversity & Humans,
PS1.A: Matter: Structure & Properties,
PS1.B: Chemical Reactions,
PS1.C: Nuclear Processes,
PS2.A: Forces & Motion,
PS2.B: Interactions Between Forces,
PS3.A: Energy Definitions,
PS3.B: Energy Conservation & Transfer,
PS3.C: Energy & Forces,
PS3.D: Energy in Chemical Processes,
PS4.A: Wave Properties,
PS4.B: Electromagnetic Radiation,
PS4.C: Information Technologies
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
Culturally Sustaining,
English Language Strategies,
Establishing a Culture of Science,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Multilingual Strategies,
Multiple Learning Styles,
Social-Emotional Learning
Energy Transformations

What is Energy?

Grades:
4-6
Unit:
Solar Boats
Lesson Number:
1
Description:

Students will gain an understanding of the fundamentals of energy through observing a variety of energy transformations and develop a foundational vocabulary for identifying and discussing energy concepts. Students will make observations about how energy...

Energy Content:
Electrical Energy,
Electricity and Magnetism,
Energy Fundamentals,
Light (Visible),
Potential & Kinetic Energy,
Sound,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will obtain the foundational knowledge of energy sources and forms of energy. In addition, students will learn that energy can transfer from one form to another. Students will build the understanding that there are different types of energy and many can not be directly observed.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Hands-on Materials,
Multiple Learning Styles
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems
Author:
Carol Patrick
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour

TinkerCAD: Introduction to 3D Printing

Grades:
5-8
Unit:
Adrift in a Sea of Plastic
Lesson Number:
1
Description:

This lesson is designed to span 5 days with 50-minute sections. After the introduction day, each day the students work toward mastery on the TinkerCAD tutorial online to learn how to create printable 3D models. At the end of the 4 days the students will...

Energy Content:
Next Generation Manufacturing
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will complete several computer aligned design tutorials, lessons, and one project to fully understand and implement unique 3D printed designs.
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
Engineering Design,
Establishing a Culture of Science,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Multiple Learning Styles,
Project-Based Learning,
STEAM/Arts
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
2: Developing and Using Models,
5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
Author:
Jonathan Strunin
Relevant NGSS PE:
5-ESS3-1,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3,
MS-ESS3-3,
MS-ETS1-1,
MS-ETS1-2,
MS-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
Computer Science,
Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,
Math: Geometry
Estimated Activity Length:
4 hours
Earth Sun

Individual Independent Projects

Grades:
3-5
Unit:
Cooking with the Sun and Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
12
Description:

The purpose of this lesson is to allow students to choose an area of interest regarding solar power and research it further in a manner of their choice. Students will produce a final product to display or share at the “Salute to the Sun” culminating event...

Energy Content:
Light (Visible),
Materials Science,
Solar Thermal,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will plan, gather research materials and create a project of their choice. In doing so student will learn proper research methods (i.e., reliable sources) and how to categorize and translate information. In addition students will become comfortable and familiar presenting information to others. Lastly, students will also learn how to create a rubric for self evaluation.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Culturally Sustaining,
Engineering Design,
Establishing a Culture of Science,
Hands-on Materials,
Multiple Learning Styles,
Project-Based Learning,
Research-Secondary,
STEAM/Arts
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Author:
Lisa Morgan
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-ESS3-1,
5-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text,
ELA: Reading: Scientific & Technical,
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
10 hours
Dye in Water

Developing a Model of Thermal Energy, Atoms, and Molecules

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
Chemical Differences in Emergency Energy Sources
Lesson Number:
2
Description:

Through a series of exploration and inquiry activities, students will explain kinetic molecular theory, atomic, and molecular structures. Students will be challenged to gradually increase the precision of their explanation of molecular-level structures...

Energy Content:
Electrons,
Materials Science,
Potential & Kinetic Energy,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will develop a model through collaborative inquiry to explain thermal kinetic energy and predict the outcome when heat is added to a substance. Students will build argumentation from evidence skills through collaborative sense-making and gallery walk presentations. Students will develop a model of atomic and molecular structures.  
Pedagogy & Practice:
Establishing a Culture of Science,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Multiple Learning Styles,
Phenomena-Driven Instruction
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
2: Developing and Using Models,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Author:
Melody Childers
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-PS1-4
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Reading: Literature,
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development,
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Math: Measurement,
Math: Ratios & Proportions
Estimated Activity Length:
9 hours

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