Unit Plan: A Community Powered by Renewable Energy

Grades:
6-12
Description:

In this three-part comprehensive place-based and project-based unit, students will learn and apply rebnewable energy content to devise action plans at an individual, family, and local level. Students will use primary and secondary research explore energy...

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Learning Goal(s):
LEARNING GOALS – PART 11.Students will define and explain the differences between renewable and non-renewable energy sources.2.Students will research, summarize, and present the (short- and long-term) benefits and drawbacks of utilizing wind and solar energy. 3.Students will research, summarize, and present the (short- and long-term) benefits and drawbacks of utilizing fossil fuels.4.Students will generate questions about the greenhouse gas effect, identify and isolate variables, and then conduct an experiment to answer a class generated question about the greenhouse gas effect.5.Through Socratic seminar, students will use the knowledge gained over the course of this lesson to discuss the potential long- and short-term benefits and drawbacks of using fossil fuels, solar energy, and wind energy.6.Students will define scientific vocabulary related to electricity.7.Students will be able to describe how electricity moves through a conductor.8.Students will draw and describe series and parallel circuits.9.Students will identify ways that energy is consumed within their homes.10.Students will perform an energy audit of their home and calculate the amount of energy used by each electronic device and appliances.11.Students will create a spreadsheet demonstrating the electricity required to operate each electronic device and appliance, along with a summary of finding that clearly identifies how energy consumption can be reduced within their home.12.Students will explore various ways to reduce energy (goal is 30% reduction).13.Students will propose a variety of energy reduction plans and present those options to their families for discussion.14.After discussion with their families, students will itemize the agreed upon plan and identify specific actions that result in quantifiable outcomes that will implemented to reduce energy consumption by their families.LEARNING GOALS – PART 21.Students will gain background information regarding the limitations of having and wind and solar generating infrastructure within city and county limits, including environmental, aesthetic, and cultural considerations. 2.Students will work with professionals to compile criteria for placement of wind and solar energy sources.3.Students will conduct experiments to collect and analyze data to provide a conclusion to the questions: What is the optimal blade angle for generating the most energy? What is the optimal wind speed for generating the most energy?4.Students will use prevailing wind data in your region to examine energy output of various sized small wind turbines as wind speeds incrementally increase.5.Based on local wind speeds, students will determine a range of potential kilowatt generation from wind power.6.Students will conduct experiments to determine how electrical output of solar panels change as the tilt, azimuth, and shade coverage change.7.Students will generate, compare, and evaluate various solar configurations for a solar project in your region.LEARNING GOALS – PART 31.Students will utilize previously acquired information about energy needs to create a renewable energy proposal for your town or city.2.Students will perform a solar audit on their homes and use class averages to project the amount of solar energy that can be generated on residential properties.3.Students will assess where commercial and municipal solar projects can occur within your town or city to meet the energy needs for non-residential consumers.4.Students will determine potential locations for larger-scale wind and solar farms to augment the remaining energy needs of the community.5.Students will prepare a comprehensive renewable energy plan that totals the calculations for potential residential, commercial, and agency renewable energy generation.6.Students will calculate the average amount of energy generated by wind turbines and solar panels in various conditions to determine the quantity of renewable energy sources required to power the city.7.Students will use their projected energy calculations to propose a combination of wind and solar sources to meet your locality’s energy needs, based on benefits and drawbacks of each source of energy.8.Based on prevailing winds and building orientation, students will explore potential sites for wind turbines and solar panels.9.Students will develop a final proposal to meet future energy needs through a combination of energy generation and reduction of energy consumption, prepare a brief slide presentation that summarizes their comprehensive plans, and present their finding to local energy conservation groups and local government staff or elected officials.
Author:
Jonathan Strunin
Estimated Activity Length:
10 hours
Kill-a-Watt Meter

Home Energy Consumption

Grades:
6-8
Description:

Students will calculate the energy consumption of a set of common household devices based on their operating power rating and then investigate the power consumption of other devices in their homes.

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Learning Goal(s):
Students will understand power and energy as they relate to their electricity use. Students will be able to calculate energy consumption and the associated costs. Students will investigate ways they could reduce their own energy consumption
Author:
Deb Frankel
Relevant NGSS PE:
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Sources of Energy

Energy Review: Practical and Technical Perspectives—What is Energy?

Grades:
4-8
Description:

Students will take a short field trip around the school to identify different types of energy.

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Learning Goal(s):
To access prior knowledge about different forms of energy
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
Author:
Erin Sturtz
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Source:
US Department of Energy
Published:
2021
Last Updated:
2021
Intended Grade Level:
HS,
Post Secondary
Description:

Published by US Department of Energy the Alternative Fuels Data Center is a wealth of data, maps, reports, interactives, case studies, and other resources on existing and emerging alternative fuel technologies, including electric vehicles, biodiesel, natural gas, hydrogen fuel cell, and others. Designed for fleet managers but applicable to high school classrooms, this can be a key research resource for understanding both the science and policy of alternative fuel transportation and applying to real world situations.

Location:
Source:
Washington Green Schools
Published:
2021
Last Updated:
2021
Intended Grade Level:
3-5,
MS
Description:

Washington Green Schools guides and supports students and school communities to be leaders for a healthy environment. As part of their efforts to promote sustainable schools, they have developed a series of games and activities to help students understand energy use in their school and engage in conversations about how to reduce their energy use and clean up their sources of energy.

Source:
Murdock Charitable Trust
Published:
2020
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
HS,
Post Secondary
Description:

This unique program pairs high school science teachers with a mentor doing cutting-edge research in an academic lab or a lab associated with another nonprofit institution. The Murdock Trust awards approximately 25 Partners in Science grants each year to fund these teacher-mentor research opportunities in the Pacific Northwest. Our goal is to help teachers bring knowledge from the research lab directly into the classroom to promote hands-on science education. 

Other Subjects Covered:
Source:
Hukseflux Thermal Sensors
Published:
2020
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
MS,
HS,
Post Secondary
Description:

A free iPhone app that allows you to take data on irradiance (in Watts/area), to be able to compare electrical output from solar photovoltaic panels to the irradiance they receive. 

Location:
Energy Content:
Source:
Oregon Department of Energy
Published:
2020
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
3-5,
MS,
HS,
OST
Description:

Energy by the Numbers focuses on the metrics and data available to track how Oregon produces, purchases, and uses various types of energy. Includes many pages of graphics that highlight oregon's energy usage and production by source and by producer/utility type/sector, location of energy facilities, energy costs, and information on electric vehicles in Oregon.

Source:
ConEdison
Published:
2020
Last Updated:
2020
Intended Grade Level:
MS,
HS,
OST
Description:

A multi-day home energy audit lesson which allows students to work with their family to explore energy usage in their homes.

Location:
Energy Content:
NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea:
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
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:
Energy Content:

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