Using the Resource Library

This collection of STEM resources represents the work of teacher leaders who have collaborated with CE to create learning resources around topics in renewable energy education. CE’s curriculum development process emphasizes justice-oriented topics and integrates best practices in culturally-sustaining STEM pedagogy. Resources are available as Google Docs and can be downloaded. 

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Resource Type
Grade Level
Clean Energy Topic
Glowing green spherical robot called a Sphero SPRK+ sitting on a wooden table. Behind it is a small LEGO brick structure.
Solar Sphero SPRK+

Chariot Engineering Design
chariot engineering design

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

Students will work through the engineering design process to build a chariot for their SPRK+ that will carry their solar panels through a maze to a ...

Students sitting in a circle on grey carpet with a printout, a ruler, and pencils.
Understanding Energy Through Wind Turbines

What is Energy?
what is energy?

GRADE(S): 2ND, 3RD, 4TH,

In this lesson students will focus solely on the concept of what energy is. The very first thing will be to hand students a blank piece of paper and ...

A table of energy sources and users. Image description under Featured Image Description Heading.
Solar Boats

What is Energy Transfer?
what is energy transfer?

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students will continue to build an understanding of the fundamentals of energy through observing and describing a variety of energy transformations ...

I shaped PVC frames with a pipe coming up at each of the four corners and a pipe coming up twice as long in the center of the center beam. A KidWind firefly is on top. There are 7-8 of these structures.
Overview

Clean Water Power: Wind, Waves, and Moving Water
clean water power: wind, waves, and moving water

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

This unit strives to answer the question: "How can the power of moving help communities by generating electricity?" Through a variety of lessons ...

U.S. Energy Information Administration logo

Hydrogen Through Electolysis
hydrogen through electolysis

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

Students learn about Hydrogen production and how it could potentially fit in the future energy landscape. This lesson includes an experiment with ...

A copper tube that is in a coil with both ends of the copper tubing at the top. The bottom tubing comes up the backside of the coil. Two plastic hoses are connected to either end of the copper tubbing. At the bottom of the image is the text Wort Chiller in blue.
Bioreactor Water Heating

Bioreactor Water Circulation System
bioreactor water circulation system

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

Together we explore the feasibility of using heated water in a bioreactor to circulate water through a trough or pipe system to outdoor water sources ...

A white mobile with two arms. Hanging from the left arm is a solar powered paper plane. The solar panel is on the top and 2 propellors. On the right arm is a bird shaped paper plane with 3 solar panels down wing and on the back and 2 propellors.
Solar Mobile Design Challenge

Light Source Efficiency: Exploring Irradiance
light source efficiency: exploring irradiance

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

This lesson explores the concept of irradiance by having students use a Vernier Pyranometer. Using the “Light Source Efficiency” worksheet to ...

I shaped PVC frames with a pipe coming up at each of the four corners and a pipe coming up twice as long in the center of the center beam. A KidWind firefly is on top. There are 7-8 of these structures.
Clean Water Power: Wind, Waves, and Moving Water

Where is the Clean Water Around Me?
where is the clean water around me?

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

This lesson has students use hydropower, wave power, and wind power mapping tools to map the renewable resources around them on a large classroom map ...

Two plates set upside down on a black surface. On the left the plate has clear sample bottle 3/4 full of water with a white cap. On the right the upside down palate has a bowl lined with aluminum foil, it also has a water filled sample bottle.
Experimenting with Solar Heaters

Making the Standard Solar Heater
making the standard solar heater

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

In this activity students will learn that sunlight energy can be transformed into other forms of energy and that the amount of sunlight energy ...

Science Exploration Pathway graphic. Image Description is under Featured Image Description Heading
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power

Designing A Faster Water Pump
designing a faster water pump

GRADE(S): 2ND, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH,

Students use available tools to design and test a solar water pump and apply the engineering design process to refine, test and evaluate their ...

Teach Engineering logo

Falling Water
falling water

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH, 5TH,

Students will use mathematical calculations to apply the concept of of energy transformation to a water power context. They will explore how height ...

A picture of a Kill-a-Watt. A rectangular device with a screen and 5 buttons above an outlet plug. At the top it is labeled KILL A WATT TM with a pink circle and P3 in a digital font. 4 grey buttons labeled from left to right Volt, Amp, Watt (with VA underneath the button), Hz (with PF underneath the button), and a pink button with KWH on top and Hour on the bottom.
Solar vs Wind Energy Unit

How much Energy do YOU use?
how much energy do you use?

GRADE(S): 7TH, 8TH,

Students will be learn to: 1. Explain the difference between power and energy 2. Proficiently use a “Kill-A-Watt” meter to determine the power ...

A brown dirt or ground compost patch with a spiral of black tubing on top. In the middle of the spiral the tube rases up into the air.
Bioreactor Water Heating

Compost Bioreactor Design
compost bioreactor design

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

Students will research the science and proper maintenance of composting to create their own bioreactors. Using their research they will adjust their ...

Science Exploration Pathway graphic. Image Description is under Featured Image Description Heading
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power

A Simple Circuit
a simple circuit

GRADE(S): 2ND, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH,

Students observe a simple circuit and follow sensemaking prompts to develop an understanding of the circuit as a class. Students then draw and label ...

Food web of orcas Image Description under Featured Image Description Heading
Future Needs of the PNW Hydropower System

Ecological Interactions Between PNW Keystone Species
ecological interactions between pnw keystone species

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

Students will examine the decline in chinook salmon and how the loss of this keystone species is impacting the South resident killer whale ...

A green wall with five printouts of building models. Each building is made of paper and on a black table underneath it's corresponding image. On a dark green topped table with wooden border under the black table are four more papers and models. On the left, still on the green table, is another model with the paper in front of it. Each structure is different and made from different colored paper.
Designing a Sustainable City of the Future

How Does Human Use of Resources Impact the Environment?
how does human use of resources impact the environment?

GRADE(S): 2ND, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students learn about how human use of natural resources can impact the environment. Students create a fog catcher to make sense of the phenomenon. ...

Photo shows a red tractor with a 7-blade plow attachment working through a green field. In the middle of the attachment a red hose lays out in the field.
A Study of Alternative Fuels

The Farmer’s Dilemma
the farmer’s dilemma

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

Over the course of the previous six labs, the students are exposed to alternative power systems focusing on hydrogen and electricity. This last ...

White board which asks "For its mass which fuel will give me the most energy? Image description under Featured Image Description Heading.
Chemical Differences in Emergency Energy Sources

Fuels and PV Cells
fuels and pv cells

GRADE(S): 7TH, 8TH,

Students will return to the phenomena of energy resources to support safety, health, and comfort in an emergency situation. They will distinguish ...

A green wall with five printouts of building models. Each building is made of paper and on a black table underneath it's corresponding image. On a dark green topped table with wooden border under the black table are four more papers and models. On the left, still on the green table, is another model with the paper in front of it. Each structure is different and made from different colored paper.
Designing a Sustainable City of the Future

Natural Resources
natural resources

GRADE(S): 2ND, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

This lesson introduces students to natural resources and creates a foundational understanding of how people use natural resources. Students will ...

Glowing green spherical robot called a Sphero SPRK+ sitting on a wooden table. Behind it is a small LEGO brick structure.
Overview

Solar Sphero SPRK+
solar sphero sprk+

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

This unit incorporates basic programming knowledge and solar energy into an engineering design challenge using Sphero SPRK+ robots. The theme for ...

Photo of a handmade solar heater. The heater is several sheets of aluminum foil laying on the ground coming into a corner and raising to create walls On the aluminum foil is a metal coffee can on that is a zip lock bag with a white plate with shredded cheese. A temperature gun is being pointed at the device.
Experimenting with Solar Heaters

Manipulating Design Variables on Solar Heaters
manipulating design variables on solar heaters

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

In this activity students demonstrate the ability to evaluate competing solutions to the problem of increasing the heat energy transferred to a vial ...

Students sit on a linoleum floor with piles of newspapers which they are folding and rolling with pencils.
Adrift in a Sea of Plastic

Engineering 101
engineering 101

GRADE(S): 5TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

This lesson is designed for three 50-minute sessions. The students will engage in multiple mini-engineering challenges to develop their understanding ...

Science Exploration Pathway graphic. Image Description is under Featured Image Description Heading
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power

Making Observations and Recording Data for Solar Powered Water Pumping
making observations and recording data for solar powered water pumping

GRADE(S): 2ND, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH,

Students observe a solar water pump and follow sensemaking prompts to develop an understanding of the system. Students then make observations and ...

Open Educational Resources logo

How Can a Dam Change the Land Around It?
how can a dam change the land around it?

GRADE(S): 2ND,

Students investigate the environmental and social impacts of dams on communities around them, and consider options for addressing these ...

A simple motor made with a blue base with a coin magnet centered on the top. On either side is a support that holds horizontal bar that can spin a coil of copper wire.
Clean Water Power: Wind, Waves, and Moving Water

Electromagnetic Induction
electromagnetic induction

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

This lesson builds on students’ prior knowledge about how electricity works. Students build a simple motor and test the voltage ...

A lemon cut in half with the red probe from a multimeter in one half and the black probe of a multimeter in the other half.
Understanding E-Waste Through Battery Design

How Might We Design A Battery That Reduces E-Waste
how might we design a battery that reduces e-waste

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH,

Students explore the guiding phenomenon to understand e-waste and connect it to battery design. Students will research to ask questions, define ...

Photo shows a red tractor with a 7-blade plow attachment working through a green field. In the middle of the attachment a red hose lays out in the field.
Overview

A Study of Alternative Fuels
a study of alternative fuels

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

Select the pencil icon to create an excerpt which will tell educators looking at resources why they should look at this ...

Picture of a wastewater tank at a wastewater treatment facility. The water is frothy and dark. A white pipe runs from the top center to the bottom right of the photo over the tank over the top of concrete supports.
Waste to Power

How Does Carbon Dioxide Affect Our Water?
how does carbon dioxide affect our water?

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

Using the phenomena of wastewater treatment. Students are challenged to think about how water must be "just right" before it can be used. Through ...

Students sitting in a circle on grey carpet with a printout, a ruler, and pencils.
Understanding Energy Through Wind Turbines

Offshore Wind Turbines Renewable Energy
offshore wind turbines renewable energy

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH,

Students are introduced to offshore wind. They learn how offshore turbines are different, the challenges and benefits of building in the ocean, and ...

LAGI logo

Idea Game Generator
idea game generator

GRADE(S): 5TH, 6TH,

Students will select a combination of geogrpahies and technologies to be tasked with developing "land art." In this process, they will creatively ...

Infographic: Organic wastes to anaerobic digestion to product/use. Image description under Featured Image Description Heading.
Waste to Power

What Are The Costs Of Our Current Use of Power And Waste?
what are the costs of our current use of power and waste?

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

Students use their existing knowledge to share their understanding of the costs of our current systems of power and waste. Using digestion bottles ...

A thermometer graphic that goes up at a gradient from green to yellow to red. On the left are 3 corresponding colored checkmarks . On the right text descending from the top, VERY HOT & campfire graphic, HOT, WARM & a yellow steaming dish of food, COOL, and COLD & a blue ice cube.
Keeping it Cool with Solar Unit

Add Solar Panel Redesign, Rebuild, Retest
add solar panel redesign, rebuild, retest

GRADE(S): 1ST, 2ND, KINDERGARTEN,

Adding solar panels, motors, and fans to existing student built structures; students will observe temperature changes on the ground below their ...

A photo of a green field. From the top center to the bottom left is a a water pipe. At the top of the photo the pipe is connected to a water storage tank. Students kneel on the left side of the pipe.
When and Why Do We Build Dams?

Turbine Blade Design Engineering
turbine blade design engineering

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students test the effects of manipulating variables in wind turbine design on the overall power output and effectiveness of the turbine ...

A green wall with five printouts of building models. Each building is made of paper and on a black table underneath it's corresponding image. On a dark green topped table with wooden border under the black table are four more papers and models. On the left, still on the green table, is another model with the paper in front of it. Each structure is different and made from different colored paper.
Designing a Sustainable City of the Future

What are Current Energy Systems and Challenges?
what are current energy systems and challenges?

GRADE(S): 2ND, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students research and present different energy sources and ...

Students sitting in a circle on grey carpet with a printout, a ruler, and pencils.
Understanding Energy Through Wind Turbines

Exploring the Impacts of Wind Turbines on Tribal Lands/Seas
exploring the impacts of wind turbines on tribal lands/seas

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH,

Students will apply their existing knowledge of how turbines work and their environmental impact to a discussion of human impacts. This will focus ...

NREL logo

Spark Squad Comics
spark squad comics

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

These comics use a fictional set of middle school characters to engage students in hydropower and marine renewable energy topics, with activities ...

Glowing green spherical robot called a Sphero SPRK+ sitting on a wooden table. Behind it is a small LEGO brick structure.
Solar Sphero SPRK+

Electricity Fundamentals and Photovoltaics
electricity fundamentals and photovoltaics

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

Students work through a number of solar circuit explorations that culminate in a challenge to charge the Sphero SPRK+ devices with solar panels. In ...

Student structures created in this unit. From left to right; a KidWind wind turbine, a posterboard with a green space and a blue waterway that has tiny home models incorporated, and a student model of a playground. In the back is a Powerwheel.
Overview

Renewable City
renewable city

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

This Renewable City Unit aims to help students dive in and actively explore sustainability, renewable resources, and how they might personally help ...

Teach Engineering logo

Waterwheel Work: Energy Transformations and Rotational Rates
waterwheel work: energy transformations and rotational rates

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH, 5TH,

Students will use the engineering design cycle to build their own device that transfers the energy from moving water so that it can be used for a ...

Foundation for Water and Energy Education (FWEE) logo

How Can a Dam Affect a River?
how can a dam affect a river?

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

This pair of activities explore aquatic food pyramids in the river and reservoir. Inviting students to explore the impact a reservoir makes on a ...

Image shows a lit Ruben's Tube a device that uses flame to visualize sound. This is a silver tube held in a wooden cradle on the upper side of the tube a row of flames of varying heights make a wave pattern.
Methane to Music

Exploring a Ruben’s Tube Through Sensemaking
exploring a ruben’s tube through sensemaking

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

Students explore topics that surround the phenomena of a Ruben's Tube. They will explore how science and music intersect before diving into how ...

A photo of a green field. From the top center to the bottom left is a a water pipe. At the top of the photo the pipe is connected to a water storage tank. Students kneel on the left side of the pipe.
When and Why Do We Build Dams?

Hydropower Dams: Learning Through Stakeholder Research
hydropower dams: learning through stakeholder research

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students will take on the perspective of different stakeholders that are involved in hydropower development. They will use their scientific ...

4 girls sit in a circle on grass with two plastic tubs. Each tub has a graduated cylinder one has a clear plastic tube coming from the top. Next to the girls is a paper with small solar panels connected together.

Engineering with Renewable Energy: Solar Water Pumping Activity
engineering with renewable energy: solar water pumping activity

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH,

Students will learn that energy from the sun can be converted to electrical energy to do work by engineering a solar water pump system and collect ...

Image shows a lit Ruben's Tube a device that uses flame to visualize sound. This is a silver tube held in a wooden cradle on the upper side of the tube a row of flames of varying heights make a wave pattern.
Methane to Music

Humans and a Low Carbon Future
humans and a low carbon future

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

Students summarize the knowledge gained throughout the unit to analyze the carbon responsibility of a stakeholder. They bring everything back to the ...

Image of a battery, nail and a compass orientated to represent an electromagnet. From the positive terminal of the battery a yellow line connects to a copper wire that wraps around the drawing of a nail before returning to the negative terminal. Underneath the nail is a compass with the N pointed up. The arm is pointed at 290.
A Study of Alternative Fuels

Creating an Electromagnetic Field
creating an electromagnetic field

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

Student teams will work together to discover properties of electromagnets. They will work together to create their own electromagnets and experiment ...

Clip art graphics of the Sun, a waterfall, the wind, wavy water, and grass
Solar Updraft Towers

Informative Writing: Where Does Energy Come From?
informative writing: where does energy come from?

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

This lesson is a non-fiction research and writing project, which includes a differentiated choice menu and list of ideas for publishing the completed ...

A table of energy sources and users. Image description under Featured Image Description Heading.
Solar Boats

What is Energy?
what is energy?

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students will gain an understanding of the fundamentals of energy through observing a variety of energy transformations and develop a foundational ...

Black and white photo of sunlight passing through tall pine trees casting shadows onto the ground.
Keeping it Cool with Solar Unit

Making Shade
making shade

GRADE(S): 1ST, 2ND, KINDERGARTEN,

Students will observe the phenomena of how trees make different types of shade and use different types of paper to create different levels of ...

A hydrogen fuel cell made using a mason jar. The lid switch next to a vent and a positive and negative electrical pole with a red and black wingnut respectively. Inside the jar a coil of thick metal wire can be seen.
A Study of Alternative Fuels

Creating an Hydrogen Generator
creating an hydrogen generator

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

Students will discover some properties of Hydrogen. They will work to create their own hydrogen generator and experiment by measuring its gas ...

A lemon cut in half with the red probe from a multimeter in one half and the black probe of a multimeter in the other half.
Understanding E-Waste Through Battery Design

Engineering Clean Energy For Our Community
engineering clean energy for our community

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH,

Students will explore how different clean energy methods can power a motor. Using the engineering design process students will evaluate each energy ...

PBS Learning Media logo

Salmon and Dams
salmon and dams

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH, 5TH,

Students receive introductory information to the challenges facing salmon in the Pacific Northwest, including the unique solutions humans are ...

Science Exploration Pathway graphic. Image Description is under Featured Image Description Heading
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power

Probes of Prior Knowledge
probes of prior knowledge

GRADE(S): 2ND, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH,

Students are guided through formative assessments (probes) of their prior knowledge about ...

A photo with paper pinwheel floating over a tower of 3 tin cans that are taped together. The cans are supported by two thick text books that are separated by ~2".
Solar Updraft Towers

Let’s Build Our Wind and Solar Energy Toy
let’s build our wind and solar energy toy

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

Students will combine what they learned in previous lessons using their investigations of convection-related phenomena to design a device that will ...

White board sketch of 12 V Car Charger for USB Device. Image Description under Featured Image Description Heading
Off the Grid: Energy Transformations and Efficiency

Electrical Energy and Solar Module Efficiency
electrical energy and solar module efficiency

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

Students will check the effiency of solar modules using tools to obtain values that are commonly used evaluate energy efficiency of solar modules. ...

Photo of 6 students us a a metal fan to test a handmade wind turbine sitting on top of a desk. The base and shaft of the turbine are made of PVC. It has three white triangular blades with blue tape on the ends and one side holding them to dowels.
Solar vs Wind Energy Unit

Variables Affecting Wind Turbine Power
variables affecting wind turbine power

GRADE(S): 7TH, 8TH,

Students will be learn to identify and explain at least three variables that affect the efficiency of wind turbines and students will conduct a ...

Image shows a lit Ruben's Tube a device that uses flame to visualize sound. This is a silver tube held in a wooden cradle on the upper side of the tube a row of flames of varying heights make a wave pattern.
Methane to Music

What Happens to Waste?
what happens to waste?

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

Students will explore the trash pathways and connect this information to their local community. Students will create flowcharts of what happens to ...

A sketch which shows a shallow circular dish filled with water. In the middle of the water is square dish that is holding three small circles.
Solar Boats

What is Force?
what is force?

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students will build a barge out of tin foil and describe the forces acting it. The barge itself is designed only with the constraints that ...

I shaped PVC frames with a pipe coming up at each of the four corners and a pipe coming up twice as long in the center of the center beam. A KidWind firefly is on top. There are 7-8 of these structures.
Clean Water Power: Wind, Waves, and Moving Water

Moving Water Into Moving Electrons
moving water into moving electrons

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

Students explore the power of water phenomena through videos of moving water then create a driving question board around how the power of moving ...

A model car that uses hydrogen electrolysis. On the base there is a small motor, 2 small clear plastic beakers with measurement lines with tubes connecting to the top and bottom of the hydrolysis chamber.  A syringe adds fluid to the chamber.
A Study of Alternative Fuels

Hydrogen Cars
hydrogen cars

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

Students will discover some properties of Hydrogen and how a PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) operates. They will work to create their own hydrogen kit ...

Image of a microcontroller
Robotic Sunflower

Dual Axis Light Tracking
dual axis light tracking

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

In this lesson, students will take a light tracker with two degrees of freedom. The axis of rotation will be about the horizontal and ...

Image shows a lit Ruben's Tube a device that uses flame to visualize sound. This is a silver tube held in a wooden cradle on the upper side of the tube a row of flames of varying heights make a wave pattern.
Methane to Music

Local Policies on Waste Management
local policies on waste management

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

The provided framework will support students to think critically about what happens to waste with an emphasis on local waste management policies. ...

On the right two solar panels are connected together using an alligator clip. The lower panel's red wire connects to a sound and light board with two LEDs, resisters, a switch, and a speaker, The connecting wires from the board go to the top left of the images where a blue fan is connected. The circuit closes with the top solar panel.
Solar vs Wind Energy Unit

Variables Affecting Solar Power
variables affecting solar power

GRADE(S): 7TH, 8TH,

Students will be learn to identify and explain at least three variables that effect the efficiency of photovoltaic cells and students will conduct a ...

Handmade Solar Tracker Device. 4 solar photovoltaic modules set vertically in a pentagon with the cells facing out. The fifth wall is made with purple and red craft sticks. At the top all of the solar module alligator clips are connected to larger copper wires.
Bioreactor Water Heating

Simple Solar Tracker Activity
simple solar tracker activity

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

Students will be shown a working example of a solar tracker and asked to replicate the design based on their observations (1-2 ...

A photo of two cupped hands. In the hand on the left are a pile of leaves in yellows and oranges. In the hand on the right are brown decayed leaves the color of dark organic soil. The leaves are broken down, but not quite dirt.
Waste to Power

How Are We Part of the Carbon Cycle?
how are we part of the carbon cycle?

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

How does the carbon cycle give us life? Starting with the phenomena photo students explore how carbon breaks down as a part of the carbon cycle. ...

White board sketch of 12 V Car Charger for USB Device. Image Description under Featured Image Description Heading
Off the Grid: Energy Transformations and Efficiency

Activities and Assessment of Vocab and Units
activities and assessment of vocab and units

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

This foundational and important lesson helps prepare students to efficiently collect energy data independently in the remaining sections of this unit ...

A white mobile with two arms. Hanging from the left arm is a solar powered paper plane. The solar panel is on the top and 2 propellors. On the right arm is a bird shaped paper plane with 3 solar panels down wing and on the back and 2 propellors.
Solar Mobile Design Challenge

Introducing the Solar Mobile Design Challenge
introducing the solar mobile design challenge

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

This lesson is aimed to engage students and build excitement for their future engineering design challenge of building the fastest Solar Powered ...

Infographic: Organic wastes to anaerobic digestion to product/use. Image description under Featured Image Description Heading.
Overview

Waste to Power
waste to power

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

This unit guides students through exploring how humans harness the natural environment to create clean power from anaerobic digestion and its role in ...

A shallow rectangular pool is divided into three lanes by two raised dividers and lined with a tarp. In each lane a solar boat made from a clear plastic water bottle can be seen.
Solar Boats

Analyze Data and Develop Conclusions
analyze data and develop conclusions

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students have performed the investigation. They will now analyze their data, refer to their initial predictions, and develop their conclusions. ...

Student structures created in this unit. From left to right; a KidWind wind turbine, a posterboard with a green space and a blue waterway that has tiny home models incorporated, and a student model of a playground. In the back is a Powerwheel.
Renewable City

Tragedy of the Commons
tragedy of the commons

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

In this lesson, students will engage in a simple game in order to model and understand Tragedy of the Commons. During the game, students discuss ...

Image shows a lit Ruben's Tube a device that uses flame to visualize sound. This is a silver tube held in a wooden cradle on the upper side of the tube a row of flames of varying heights make a wave pattern.
Methane to Music

Dissecting a Compost Bin
dissecting a compost bin

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

Students dissect a compost pile to understand the food web of invertebrates and microbes. Students will understand the phases of a compost pile as ...

Infographic: Organic wastes to anaerobic digestion to product/use. Image description under Featured Image Description Heading.
Waste to Power

Introduction to Waste to Power and Digestion Lab 1
introduction to waste to power and digestion lab 1

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

Students begin to build their understanding of how waste becomes power with the exploration of waste utilizing the phenomena infographic. Students ...

On the bank of a river is a metal water turbine with rust on many of the blades and on the A-frame stand. Nearby the river runs with shallow rapids and a bridge in the background.
A Study of Alternative Fuels

Creating a Hydroelectric Powerplant
creating a hydroelectric powerplant

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

Students will discover a relationship between amperes and voltage to Watts as a hydro-electric powerplant produces electricity. They will work as a ...

Image shows a lit Ruben's Tube a device that uses flame to visualize sound. This is a silver tube held in a wooden cradle on the upper side of the tube a row of flames of varying heights make a wave pattern.
Overview

Methane to Music
methane to music

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

Students explore the phenomena of a Ruben's Tube powered by renewable gas to understand how humans impact the flow of carbon in earth’s atmosphere. ...

Centre of Excellence for Energy logo
Water Power Implementation Toolkit

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind Activity Guide
the boy who harnessed the wind activity guide

GRADE(S): 1ST, 2ND, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, KINDERGARTEN,

Learners will be inspired to put their own learning and imagination into action after reading the true story of, “The Boy Who Harnessed the ...

Food web of orcas Image Description under Featured Image Description Heading
Overview

Future Needs of the PNW Hydropower System
future needs of the pnw hydropower system

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

Students will evaluate the arguments for breaching the snake river dams, and the arguments against the breach. They will assess cost/benefit ...

Student structures created in this unit. From left to right; a KidWind wind turbine, a posterboard with a green space and a blue waterway that has tiny home models incorporated, and a student model of a playground. In the back is a Powerwheel.
Renewable City

Socratic Circle and Climate Change Phenomena
socratic circle and climate change phenomena

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students analyze their own ideas about climate change and sustainability using a Socratic Circle discussion then investigate a phenomenon to further ...

Two students use a multimeter to measure energy created by a wire wrapped cardboard tube being moved by the student on the right.

Understanding Energy
understanding energy

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

In this lesson, developed by Coeur d'Alene tribal educators, students explore different types of energy, using the book "Coyote Snares the Wind" as ...

Glowing green spherical robot called a Sphero SPRK+ sitting on a wooden table. Behind it is a small LEGO brick structure.
Solar Sphero SPRK+

Final Challenge and Presentation
final challenge and presentation

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

In this lesson, students will navigate through a maze using their SPRK+ in order to reach the solar charging station. Students will redesign their ...

Student structures created in this unit. From left to right; a KidWind wind turbine, a posterboard with a green space and a blue waterway that has tiny home models incorporated, and a student model of a playground. In the back is a Powerwheel.
Renewable City

Community Project
community project

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students decide on a community project they’d like to do to personally help with climate change or energy ...

Student holds up lime green foam circles attached to clear plastic tubes wrapped in red wire in the middle between two strips of masking tape. The green foam have a fishing bobber in the middle. A suction cup with fishing line can be seen on the table.

Modeling a Wave Energy Converter
modeling a wave energy converter

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

This teacher-designed hands-on engineering activity for grades 7-8 walks you through building a wave energy converter to explore how waves can be ...

Student structures created in this unit. From left to right; a KidWind wind turbine, a posterboard with a green space and a blue waterway that has tiny home models incorporated, and a student model of a playground. In the back is a Powerwheel.
Renewable City

Exploring Renewable Energy Resources: Offshore Wind
exploring renewable energy resources: offshore wind

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students will build wind turbines in a variety of forms to develop a deep understanding of the function of wind turbines as well as variables that ...

Infographic: Organic wastes to anaerobic digestion to product/use. Image description under Featured Image Description Heading.
Waste to Power

Are We Changing Our Air/Atmosphere?
are we changing our air/atmosphere?

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

Using an air scale built by the class, students observe some properties of CO2 and how it affects the air we breathe. Reintroduce the concepts of ...

On the blacktop on a sunny day the picture looks down onto a kneeling woman setting a model solar car onto the pavement.

Solar Car Engineering Challenge
solar car engineering challenge

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

In this activity students demonstrate the ability to evaluate competing solutions to the problem of increasing the heat energy transferred to a vial ...

A shallow rectangular pool is divided into three lanes by two raised dividers and lined with a tarp. In each lane a solar boat made from a clear plastic water bottle can be seen.
Overview

Solar Boats
solar boats

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students are led through a comprehensive unit leading them from the basics of energy through to a culminating solar boat engineering design project ...

A photo of a green field. From the top center to the bottom left is a a water pipe. At the top of the photo the pipe is connected to a water storage tank. Students kneel on the left side of the pipe.
When and Why Do We Build Dams?

How Variables Impact Hydroelectric Output
how variables impact hydroelectric output

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students will interact with a hydroelectric model, testing how different variables connected to real-world design features affect the power output of ...

Picture of a wastewater tank at a wastewater treatment facility. The water is frothy and dark. A white pipe runs from the top center to the bottom right of the photo over the tank over the top of concrete supports.
Waste to Power

How Is Our Wastewater Cleaned?
how is our wastewater cleaned?

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

Utilizing the phenomena of a wastewater treatment facility runway students explore how water is made safe for drinking. Students experiment to ...

Science Exploration Pathway graphic. Image Description is under Featured Image Description Heading
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power

Solar Powered Water Pumping
solar powered water pumping

GRADE(S): 2ND, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH,

Students make observations and record data about how different materials affect the speed of a solar powered water ...

NREL logo

Career Profiles in Hydropower
career profiles in hydropower

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

This collection of introductory videos will allow students to explore real careers in the hydropower industry. While not necessarily a lesson plan, ...

Black and White photo of a sunny child's playground with a curved slide and an arched bridge between two platforms.
Keeping it Cool with Solar Unit

Build Time
build time

GRADE(S): 1ST, 2ND, KINDERGARTEN,

Building the structures designed during Keeping it Cool with Solar: Design Time. Students use the phenomena of Engineers build with triangles to ...

A bucket cut in half lengthwise, lays on its side. The inside of the bucket is lined with aluminum foil.  Inside the bucket is a clear plastic bottle. Inside this bottle is a capped dark black bottle.
Bioreactor Water Heating

Passive Solar Water Heating
passive solar water heating

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

Students will utilize milk jugs to understand the how to optimize the sun's ability to heat the water contained within. By recording their ...

Student structures created in this unit. From left to right; a KidWind wind turbine, a posterboard with a green space and a blue waterway that has tiny home models incorporated, and a student model of a playground. In the back is a Powerwheel.
Renewable City

Energy Carousel: Collaborative Sensemaking on Energy and How We Measure It
energy carousel: collaborative sensemaking on energy and how we measure it

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

This lesson aims to help students investigate answers to the questions: “What is Energy?” and “How can we see or measure energy?”. The lesson ...

Teach Engineering logo

Does this Dam Pass or Fail?
does this dam pass or fail?

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

Students conduct Internet research to investigate the purpose and current functioning status of some of the largest dams throughout the world. They ...

Wave Attenuator Sketch. Image description under Featured Image Description Heading.
Wave Attenuator

Building a Tidal Wave Attenuator
building a tidal wave attenuator

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

This lesson is designed to build upon investigations of electromagnetic energy by applying these phenomena to transfer the kinetic energy moving in ...

A green wall with five printouts of building models. Each building is made of paper and on a black table underneath it's corresponding image. On a dark green topped table with wooden border under the black table are four more papers and models. On the left, still on the green table, is another model with the paper in front of it. Each structure is different and made from different colored paper.
Designing a Sustainable City of the Future

What Are Some Possible Solutions To Current Energy Challenges?
what are some possible solutions to current energy challenges?

GRADE(S): 2ND, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students explore possible solutions to current energy challenges, focusing on methane ...

A model made with a 3D pen. On the left is an oval made with tan filament with sides raised. Attached to the right is a square in light green filament and yellow walls that come up off the light green square.
Overview

Adrift in a Sea of Plastic
adrift in a sea of plastic

GRADE(S): 5TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

Students will explore the phenomenon of plastic garbage islands and develop engineering solutions to address the problem. Students will use 3-D ...

KidWind logo

How Does Energy Affect Wildlife?
how does energy affect wildlife?

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

In this lesson, students learn that different electricity generation sources have very different effects on wildlife. This is a teacher recommended ...

I shaped PVC frames with a pipe coming up at each of the four corners and a pipe coming up twice as long in the center of the center beam. A KidWind firefly is on top. There are 7-8 of these structures.
Clean Water Power: Wind, Waves, and Moving Water

Careers in Renewable Energy
careers in renewable energy

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

Students create a trading card about a career in renewable energy that interests them. Students can also explore different careers in Hydropower ...

Sketch of a wave attenuator experiment setup. Image description under the Featured Image Description Heading
Wave Attenuator

Introduction to Electromagnetism
introduction to electromagnetism

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

Through a series of goal-oriented activities and research, students will build physical models that demonstrate the interactions between magnetism ...

Picture of an Instant Hot Compress Pack. Across the middle is a orange to red gradient with an orange to red swirl logo and the white text "Instant Hot Compress" red text below is unreadable.
Chemical Differences in Emergency Energy Sources

Engineering a Hot Pack
engineering a hot pack

GRADE(S): 7TH, 8TH,

Through a series of inquiry activities, students will discover the properties of the chemical reaction of dissolving CaCl2 in water, the effect of ...

Map of Puerto Rico. Image description under Featured Image Description Heading.
Chemical Differences in Emergency Energy Sources

When the Grid Goes Down and Stays Down
when the grid goes down and stays down

GRADE(S): 7TH, 8TH,

Through an examination of media published in the five months following Hurricane Maria in 2017, students will develop an understanding of the ...

Graph showing Incidence Angle for sunlight. This is measured as a the angle from the Y axis above an X plane. In the image represented by an orange ray from the sun to the ground.
Solar Boats

How to Measure Output of Solar Modules?
how to measure output of solar modules?

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students will measure output from a solar module before a load is attached and relate it to real world output. They will make these measurements ...

I shaped PVC frames with a pipe coming up at each of the four corners and a pipe coming up twice as long in the center of the center beam. A KidWind firefly is on top. There are 7-8 of these structures.
Clean Water Power: Wind, Waves, and Moving Water

Exploring Different Forms of Water Power
exploring different forms of water power

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

Students will build a model of a Marine Wave Generator (Kidwind Offshore Floating Wind Buoy, NEED’s Model Wav Generator Buoy, or Air Buoy) and test ...

Three beakers filled with clear liquid. The left most beaker has an eyedropper in the opening filled with dark blue liquid. Each beaker shows more advanced state of the blue liquid dissolving into the clear liquid.
Chemical Differences in Emergency Energy Sources

Developing a Model of Thermal Energy, Atoms, and Molecules
developing a model of thermal energy, atoms, and molecules

GRADE(S): 7TH, 8TH,

Through a series of exploration and inquiry activities, students will explain kinetic molecular theory, atomic, and molecular structures. Students ...

Science Exploration Pathway graphic. Image Description is under Featured Image Description Heading
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power

Setting Expectations for Science and Engineering Projects
setting expectations for science and engineering projects

GRADE(S): 2ND, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH,

Students explore the ground rules for science discourse and how they will share their thinking about science ...

Ambitious Science Teaching Logo

Electrical Engineering: Why Does the Electrical System Break Down?
electrical engineering: why does the electrical system break down?

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

This unit, developed through the Ambitious Science Teaching framework, attempts to create cohesive, model-based learning experience for high school ...

Screenshot of a red cube on a blue workplane in Tinkercad. The cube has an orientation grid and a green arrow at the top.
Adrift in a Sea of Plastic

TinkerCAD: Introduction to 3D Printing
tinkercad: introduction to 3d printing

GRADE(S): 5TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

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 ...

Graphic of the Pacific garbage patches with major currents and the subtropical convergence zone. Image Description under the Featured Image Description Heading.
Adrift in a Sea of Plastic

The Problem of Plastic Trash Islands
the problem of plastic trash islands

GRADE(S): 5TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

This lesson is designed for 3 days, 50-minute sessions. The students will watch videos and take 2 column notes to guide independent research. The ...

Adafruit FLORA  board on a black fabric. on the left side 5 lines of grey running stitches are seen between two lines of orange and brown backstitched lines.

Illuminate Me: Merging Conductive Sewing, Technology, and Solar Power
illuminate me: merging conductive sewing, technology, and solar power

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

Students will design and build a wearable circuit using a microcontroller and incorporating solar power into a wearable garment project by recharging ...

A white mobile with two arms. Hanging from the left arm is a solar powered paper plane. The solar panel is on the top and 2 propellors. On the right arm is a bird shaped paper plane with 3 solar panels down wing and on the back and 2 propellors.
Solar Mobile Design Challenge

Solar Mobile Design Challenge – Construction
solar mobile design challenge – construction

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

This is the culminating hands-on project for the Solar Mobile Design Challenge Lessons, with construction aligned to an engineering design process. ...

A photo of a green field. From the top center to the bottom left is a a water pipe. At the top of the photo the pipe is connected to a water storage tank. Students kneel on the left side of the pipe.
When and Why Do We Build Dams?

Future Water Power Technologies
future water power technologies

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students will explore new technologies being designed to generate electricity as our grid continues to ...

I shaped PVC frames with a pipe coming up at each of the four corners and a pipe coming up twice as long in the center of the center beam. A KidWind firefly is on top. There are 7-8 of these structures.
Clean Water Power: Wind, Waves, and Moving Water

Social, Emotional, and Equity Discussions in Clean Water Power
social, emotional, and equity discussions in clean water power

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

This lesson has students jigsaw a bank of readings on the social, environmental, and equity issues with clean water power in order to make sense of ...

A lemon cut in half with the red probe from a multimeter in one half and the black probe of a multimeter in the other half.
Overview

Understanding E-Waste Through Battery Design
understanding e-waste through battery design

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH,

In this unit of multi-day lessons, students will further their understanding of energy, electricity, and basic circuits by focusing on batteries and ...

Image of AA battery. The battery is labeled with a + and - at the top and bottom. A brown line with yellow arrows separated by e- travels from the bottom of the battery to a lightbulb on the left then on to the top of the battery.
Solar vs Wind Energy Unit

Introduction to Circuits
introduction to circuits

GRADE(S): 7TH, 8TH,

In this lesson students will learn how to: 1. Create a simple circuit on their own when given the appropriate materials. 2. Diagram the flow of ...

A table covered in boxes and 4 handmade wind turbine models; one has 2 rectangular green blades, one has 4 white blades, one has no blades, and the smallest has a red 3 blade propeller. Behind the red turbine is a blue box with white writing that reads "Wind-opoly"
Solar Updraft Towers

Wind Power: A Hands-on Experience
wind power: a hands-on experience

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

This lesson challenges students to work in teams to design successful turbine blades for the “KidWind Firefly”. The firefly has an LED light ...

Educational Innovations Inc logo

The PowerWheel
the powerwheel

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

The PowerWheel is a micro hydro generator—an amazing tool for teaching lessons about energy, hydro-power, and other renewable sources of energy. ...

Student structures created in this unit. From left to right; a KidWind wind turbine, a posterboard with a green space and a blue waterway that has tiny home models incorporated, and a student model of a playground. In the back is a Powerwheel.
Renewable City

Exploring Renewable Energy Resources: Water Power
exploring renewable energy resources: water power

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Prior to undergoing their own engineering design process, students build background understanding through testing a waterwheel, observing the ...

I shaped PVC frames with a pipe coming up at each of the four corners and a pipe coming up twice as long in the center of the center beam. A KidWind firefly is on top. There are 7-8 of these structures.
Clean Water Power: Wind, Waves, and Moving Water

How Do Variables Affect Power Generation in a Hydroelectric Dam?
how do variables affect power generation in a hydroelectric dam?

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

This lesson has students make a claim on which configuration will generate the most power in an in-class water power demonstration: Height of water ...

A green wall with five printouts of building models. Each building is made of paper and on a black table underneath it's corresponding image. On a dark green topped table with wooden border under the black table are four more papers and models. On the left, still on the green table, is another model with the paper in front of it. Each structure is different and made from different colored paper.
Designing a Sustainable City of the Future

Who Is An Activist?
who is an activist?

GRADE(S): 2ND, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

This lesson introduces students to youth environmental activists involved in the work in creating an awareness about climate change issues. Students ...

T-shaped piece of paper with a grid on the table surface in the foreground and a grid with diagonal red lines and curvy diagonal blue lines on the vertical surface. The back surface also has a grid. The game sits on a grey classroom desktop.

Battleship Windfarms
battleship windfarms

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Wind power is a renewable resource that provides humans with an alternative to fossil fuels. However, wind farms cannot be built everywhere and when ...

A green wall with five printouts of building models. Each building is made of paper and on a black table underneath it's corresponding image. On a dark green topped table with wooden border under the black table are four more papers and models. On the left, still on the green table, is another model with the paper in front of it. Each structure is different and made from different colored paper.
Designing a Sustainable City of the Future

Designing a City That Addresses Energy Needs
designing a city that addresses energy needs

GRADE(S): 2ND, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students work collaboratively to design a sustainable city of the future with attention to water, energy, carbon footprint, waste, and city layout ...

Glowing green spherical robot called a Sphero SPRK+ sitting on a wooden table. Behind it is a small LEGO brick structure.
Solar Sphero SPRK+

Mars Exploration Debate
mars exploration debate

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

Students will research and then debate about the value of Mars exploration through robotic and/or human missions using a debate structure. ...

A white mobile with two arms. Hanging from the left arm is a solar powered paper plane. The solar panel is on the top and 2 propellors. On the right arm is a bird shaped paper plane with 3 solar panels down wing and on the back and 2 propellors.
Overview

Solar Mobile Design Challenge
solar mobile design challenge

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

This unit involves students learning about transferring solar energy to small motors, exploring the center of gravity and testing light sources ...

Image of a microcontroller
Robotic Sunflower

Integrating Solar Power
integrating solar power

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

In this lesson, students will integrate a photovoltaic module into an ongoing robotic sunflower that will track the sun with 2 degrees of ...

A green wall with five printouts of building models. Each building is made of paper and on a black table underneath it's corresponding image. On a dark green topped table with wooden border under the black table are four more papers and models. On the left, still on the green table, is another model with the paper in front of it. Each structure is different and made from different colored paper.
Overview

Designing a Sustainable City of the Future
designing a sustainable city of the future

GRADE(S): 2ND, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

The concept for this unit is to teach students about natural resources and renewable energy in the context of how these things impact people, ...

Black and White photo of a sunny child's playground with a curved slide and an arched bridge between two platforms.
Keeping it Cool with Solar Unit

Reflections with an Engineer
reflections with an engineer

GRADE(S): 1ST, 2ND, KINDERGARTEN,

Students analyze their data from previous lessons and reflect about how solar technology and their structures kept the ground (earth’s surface) ...

Food web of orcas Image Description under Featured Image Description Heading
Future Needs of the PNW Hydropower System

Who Makes Decisions About Dams? Stakeholder Role Play
who makes decisions about dams? stakeholder role play

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

This lesson empowers students to explore the roles of the stakeholders who are at play. Through role-playing, students will learn about the varied ...

Infographic: Organic wastes to anaerobic digestion to product/use. Image description under Featured Image Description Heading.
Waste to Power

What Is The Greenhouse Effect?
what is the greenhouse effect?

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

After conducting an experiment to witness greenhouse gas creation. Students learn more about how greenhouse gasses are created naturally and through ...

White board sketch of 12 V Car Charger for USB Device. Image Description under Featured Image Description Heading
Off the Grid: Energy Transformations and Efficiency

Phone Charger Efficiency
phone charger efficiency

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

In this lesson students will explore the concept of efficiency, and how to take data in order to calculate the efficiency of various cell phone or ...

Infographic: Organic wastes to anaerobic digestion to product/use. Image description under Featured Image Description Heading.
Waste to Power

Molecular Digestion: From Elephant’s Toothpaste to a Plastic Cow
molecular digestion: from elephant’s toothpaste to a plastic cow

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

Exploring the essential questions: "What is a digester? and "How are molecules broken down during digestion?" Students will learn about anaerobic ...

Picture of an Instant Hot Compress Pack. Across the middle is a orange to red gradient with an orange to red swirl logo and the white text "Instant Hot Compress" red text below is unreadable.
Overview

Chemical Differences in Emergency Energy Sources
chemical differences in emergency energy sources

GRADE(S): 7TH, 8TH,

In the context of preparing a disaster supply kit, students develop atomic and molecular models of energy resources, analyze combustion of various ...

Picture of a black framed shadow box with white paper inside the frame.  On the paper are metal shavings that are dispersed in two circular patterns reflecting the electromagnetic field being generated by an unseen device.
Solar vs Wind Energy Unit

Three Ways to Generate Electricity
three ways to generate electricity

GRADE(S): 7TH, 8TH,

Students will be learn to: 1. Detect the relative strength of magnetic fields at different distances from a magnet, 2. Explain the energy ...

Students sitting in a circle on grey carpet with a printout, a ruler, and pencils.
Understanding Energy Through Wind Turbines

Building Wind Turbines with the Engineering Design Process
building wind turbines with the engineering design process

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH,

Students will use kits to build their own model wind turbines, exploring how different variables affect the operation of the turbine and developing ...

Infographic: Organic wastes to anaerobic digestion to product/use. Image description under Featured Image Description Heading.
Waste to Power

What is Carbon?
what is carbon?

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

Students observe a display of charcoal, wood, and food scraps as they discuss the different types of carbon. Students learn about the carbon element ...

A picture of a Kill-a-Watt. A rectangular device with a screen and 5 buttons above an outlet plug. At the top it is labeled KILL A WATT TM with a pink circle and P3 in a digital font. 4 grey buttons labeled from left to right Volt, Amp, Watt (with VA underneath the button), Hz (with PF underneath the button), and a pink button with KWH on top and Hour on the bottom.

Home Energy Consumption
home energy consumption

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

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

A photo of a green field. From the top center to the bottom left is a a water pipe. At the top of the photo the pipe is connected to a water storage tank. Students kneel on the left side of the pipe.
When and Why Do We Build Dams?

The Basics of Energy, Electricity, and Water
the basics of energy, electricity, and water

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students develop foundational knowledge around the functionality of hydropower generation, providing presentations on their assigned subject ...

Glowing green spherical robot called a Sphero SPRK+ sitting on a wooden table. Behind it is a small LEGO brick structure.
Solar Sphero SPRK+

Sphero Edu Coding
sphero edu coding

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

After working on a few Scratch drag and drop programs, participants will transition to Sphero Edu, a comparable drag and drop program for Lesson 2 ...

Two bins of water each with a solar boat model, under halogen lights. One boat is made of a plastic bottle with two oval green foam pieces, a small solar module, and a propellor in the opening. The other is a green foam boat with a propellor and a solar panel.
Solar Boats

Solar Boat Science Investigation & Building Solar Boats
solar boat science investigation & building solar boats

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Design a science investigation to test a solar speedboat, airboat, and surface submarine. Students will use the “Planning an Investigation ...

Graphic that shows a thermal tower. Image Description under Featured Image Description Heading
Solar Updraft Towers

Learning About Solar Updraft Towers
learning about solar updraft towers

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

This lesson helps students learn about solar updraft towers being planned and built around the world to help solve the energy crisis by using ...

White board sketch of 12 V Car Charger for USB Device. Image Description under Featured Image Description Heading
Off the Grid: Energy Transformations and Efficiency

Exploring Buck and Boost Converters
exploring buck and boost converters

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

This lab uses a variety of voltage conversion devices to output 5 Volts, the requirements for a USB charger such as for a cell phone. Students will ...

Photo of a handmade solar heater. The heater is several sheets of aluminum foil laying on the ground coming into a corner and raising to create walls On the aluminum foil is a metal coffee can on that is a zip lock bag with a white plate with shredded cheese. A temperature gun is being pointed at the device.
Overview

Experimenting with Solar Heaters
experimenting with solar heaters

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

An engineering design challenge that has students first building and taking measurements from a predesigned solar water heater, then moving into ...

White board sketch of 12 V Car Charger for USB Device. Image Description under Featured Image Description Heading
Overview

Off the Grid: Energy Transformations and Efficiency
off the grid: energy transformations and efficiency

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

Students are led through the basics of complex circuit building, including the use of buck and boost converters, converting AC to DC and back, with ...

A photo of a green field. From the top center to the bottom left is a a water pipe. At the top of the photo the pipe is connected to a water storage tank. Students kneel on the left side of the pipe.
Overview

When and Why Do We Build Dams?
when and why do we build dams?

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students will demonstrate basic understanding of electricity generation and basic components of a hydroelectric dam. They will research, design and ...

Science Exploration Pathway graphic. Image Description is under Featured Image Description Heading
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power

Solar Powered Calculator
solar powered calculator

GRADE(S): 2ND, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH,

Students develop an understanding of how light energy is transformed into electrical energy to power a solar ...

Graphic that shows a thermal tower. Image Description under Featured Image Description Heading
Overview

Solar Updraft Towers
solar updraft towers

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

Students will combine research, direct observations, and hands on investigation to lead them into an engineering design project involving the ...

Students sitting in a circle on grey carpet with a printout, a ruler, and pencils.
Understanding Energy Through Wind Turbines

Energy and How We Harness it: Virtual Field Trip
energy and how we harness it: virtual field trip

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH,

In a virtual format, students will explore how energy is generated in different ...

Wave Attenuator Sketch. Image description under Featured Image Description Heading.
Overview

Wave Attenuator
wave attenuator

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

Students will experiment with the basic concepts of motion to electrical energy transformation. Students start by building a series of models that ...

Image of a microcontroller
Robotic Sunflower

Measuring Voltage Using A Microcontroller
measuring voltage using a microcontroller

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

In this lesson students will be introduced to series circuits, resistors, a photoresistor and a microcontroller. There’s a lot here, but it boils ...

California Academy of Sciences logo

Optimal and Sustainable: Renewable Energy Revamp
optimal and sustainable: renewable energy revamp

GRADE(S): 10TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

In this lesson, students will be challenged with an optimization problem. The fictitious town of Solutionville has decided to replace coal, their ...

White board sketch of 12 V Car Charger for USB Device. Image Description under Featured Image Description Heading
Off the Grid: Energy Transformations and Efficiency

DC to AC to DC Efficiency
dc to ac to dc efficiency

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

This lesson will continue to deal with efficiency of USB charging devices, but this time we will be using an inverter in order to create AC voltage ...

Students sitting in a circle on grey carpet with a printout, a ruler, and pencils.
Understanding Energy Through Wind Turbines

Exploring Energy Stations
exploring energy stations

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH,

Students explore various forms of energy in order to distinguish between potential, kinetic, and their subcategories in order to look at the concept ...

Hydrogen to Power Infographic. Image Description is under Featured Image Description Heading.
Waste to Power

What Can We Do To Fix This?
what can we do to fix this?

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

Students experiment with creating hydrogen through electrolysis. Starting with the phenomena of the renewable hydrogen infographic students discuss ...

Image shows a lit Ruben's Tube a device that uses flame to visualize sound. This is a silver tube held in a wooden cradle on the upper side of the tube a row of flames of varying heights make a wave pattern.
Methane to Music

Carbon Cycling and Human Impact
carbon cycling and human impact

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

Students create a visual model of the carbon cycle with notation of carbon sinks and movement. They use this model to predict changes in carbon ...

Student structures created in this unit. From left to right; a KidWind wind turbine, a posterboard with a green space and a blue waterway that has tiny home models incorporated, and a student model of a playground. In the back is a Powerwheel.
Renewable City

Designing a Renewable City Model
designing a renewable city model

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students will use their collective understandings built throughout an entire unit of sustainability topics to develop their own sustainable city. ...

A white mobile with two arms. Hanging from the left arm is a solar powered paper plane. The solar panel is on the top and 2 propellors. On the right arm is a bird shaped paper plane with 3 solar panels down wing and on the back and 2 propellors.
Solar Mobile Design Challenge

Exploring Circuits and Optimum Power
exploring circuits and optimum power

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

This lesson is an exploratory learning cycle that will give the instructor input as to where students are in their understanding of circuits and also ...

Photo of a handmade solar heater. The heater is several sheets of aluminum foil laying on the ground coming into a corner and raising to create walls On the aluminum foil is a metal coffee can on that is a zip lock bag with a white plate with shredded cheese. A temperature gun is being pointed at the device.
Experimenting with Solar Heaters

Creating the Most Effective Solar Heater
creating the most effective solar heater

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

In this activity students demonstrate the ability to evaluate competing solutions to the problem of increasing the heat energy transferred to a vial ...

A table with an electronic kit with the lid open. It has small solar modules and wires. Next to it are; a cardboard box with AA batteries, a plastic kit with a white lid and green contents, and a stack of white and red boxes of Snap Circuits.
Clean Water Power: Wind, Waves, and Moving Water

What Does it Take to Make a Functioning Circuit
what does it take to make a functioning circuit

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

This lesson takes students through different hands-on and virtual circuit-building activities in order to make sense of the essential question: What ...

Photo of bicycle handlebars. On the left side of the handlebar is mounted stopwatch device. Just right of the middle of the bars is a screen which reads 40.4 V 0.00kph on the top line and 2 W 0.061Ah on the bottom line.
A Study of Alternative Fuels

The Cycle Analyst
the cycle analyst

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

Students will use a Cycle Analyst to collect data from an electric go-kart and measure the efficiency of the system. The Cycle Analyst can be used on ...

Black and White photo of a sunny child's playground with a curved slide and an arched bridge between two platforms.
Keeping it Cool with Solar Unit

Hot Spot/Cool Spot
hot spot/cool spot

GRADE(S): 1ST, 2ND, KINDERGARTEN,

Students will investigate the phenomena of melting ice and solar heat on the ...

Food web of orcas Image Description under Featured Image Description Heading
Future Needs of the PNW Hydropower System

Environmental Challenges to PNW Keystone Species
environmental challenges to pnw keystone species

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

Students learn about the dwindling orca population, and the contributing factors. One of which is the decline of chinook salmon and how the loss of ...

A thermometer graphic that goes up at a gradient from green to yellow to red. On the left are 3 corresponding colored checkmarks . On the right text descending from the top, VERY HOT & campfire graphic, HOT, WARM & a yellow steaming dish of food, COOL, and COLD & a blue ice cube.
Keeping it Cool with Solar Unit

Structure Test
structure test

GRADE(S): 1ST, 2ND, KINDERGARTEN,

Utilizing thermo infrared thermometers and student built structures from Keeping it Cool with Solar Build Time, students analyze how structures ...

A copper tube that is in a coil with both ends of the copper tubing at the top. The bottom tubing comes up the backside of the coil. Two plastic hoses are connected to either end of the copper tubbing. At the bottom of the image is the text Wort Chiller in blue.
Overview

Bioreactor Water Heating
bioreactor water heating

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

Students are guided through the concepts of solar and biomass heating as well as water pumping to design a water pumping system that uses multiple ...

A table of energy sources and users. Image description under Featured Image Description Heading.
Overview

Solar vs Wind Energy Unit
solar vs wind energy unit

GRADE(S): 7TH, 8TH,

Students learn the fundamentals of energy transformation and vocabulary, electrical circuits, explore energy usage in their homes. Students then ...

Wave Attenuator Sketch. Image description under Featured Image Description Heading.
Wave Attenuator

Testing a Tidal Wave Attenuator
testing a tidal wave attenuator

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

Students will test the efficiency of the tidal wave attenuator models that they previously built. They will determine variables on their models they ...

Image of a microcontroller
Robotic Sunflower

Controlling a Servo
controlling a servo

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

In this lesson students will learn how to control a servo using the Basic Stamp. Then students will combine the photoresistor from the previous ...

Black and White photo of a sunny child's playground with a curved slide and an arched bridge between two platforms.
Keeping it Cool with Solar Unit

Design Time
design time

GRADE(S): 1ST, 2ND, KINDERGARTEN,

Students will learn the phenomena of how engineers use triangles to build. They will design their own structures to create ...

A photo of a green field. From the top center to the bottom left is a a water pipe. At the top of the photo the pipe is connected to a water storage tank. Students kneel on the left side of the pipe.
When and Why Do We Build Dams?

Exploring Electromagnets
exploring electromagnets

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students build and test an electromagnet that will build foundational understandings into the generation of electricity and basis of our energy ...

A photo of a paper spiral suspended over a square light.
Solar Updraft Towers

Where Does Energy Go?
where does energy go?

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

This lesson consists of six demonstration activities that show examples of ways in which water and air absorb heat to transfer energy from one place ...

A lemon cut in half with the red probe from a multimeter in one half and the black probe of a multimeter in the other half.
Understanding E-Waste Through Battery Design

Exploring Eco-Friendly Battery Design
exploring eco-friendly battery design

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH,

Students will design multiple batteries using potatoes, lemons, pennies, and cola. They will use qualitative analysis to understand the voltage of ...

A 2 Volt solar panel with red and black alligator clips
Solar Boats

How Do Solar Panels Work?
how do solar panels work?

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students will learn the basics of how a solar cell generates electricity and observe the effects on a small electrical load attached to a solar ...

A white mobile with two arms. Hanging from the left arm is a solar powered paper plane. The solar panel is on the top and 2 propellors. On the right arm is a bird shaped paper plane with 3 solar panels down wing and on the back and 2 propellors.
Solar Mobile Design Challenge

Exploring Center of Gravity
exploring center of gravity

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

Since the concept Center of Gravity (mass) is a key factor in a mobile, students will participate in some activities to help them experience and ...

A close image of the top of a car battery. On the upper left is the negative terminal connection with a black cable in the middle are three red cell access caps and in the bottom right the positive terminal with a black cable connected.

Solar Battery Charging
solar battery charging

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

Students will become familiar with circuits, cells, batteries, and photovoltaic cells, then plan, build, test, modify, and re-test a small solar ...

A photo of a green field. From the top center to the bottom left is a a water pipe. At the top of the photo the pipe is connected to a water storage tank. Students kneel on the left side of the pipe.
When and Why Do We Build Dams?

History of Hydroelectric Power/What Does a Dam Do?
history of hydroelectric power/what does a dam do?

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students will engage with history of dams using a famous case ...

Image shows a lit Ruben's Tube a device that uses flame to visualize sound. This is a silver tube held in a wooden cradle on the upper side of the tube a row of flames of varying heights make a wave pattern.
Methane to Music

Energy Justice and Renewable Fuels
energy justice and renewable fuels

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

Students will consider all the types of residences in their community. They are challenged to address these questions: "Can all people in this ...

A table of energy sources and users. Image description under Featured Image Description Heading.
Solar vs Wind Energy Unit

Introduction to Energy
introduction to energy

GRADE(S): 7TH, 8TH,

Students will be able to name and describe at least 5 kinds of energy, and students will be able to identify and explain simple energy ...

A photo of a green field. From the top center to the bottom left is a a water pipe. At the top of the photo the pipe is connected to a water storage tank. Students kneel on the left side of the pipe.
When and Why Do We Build Dams?

Introduction to Water Power
introduction to water power

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

After discovering ways to harness the power of wind, learning how water can also generate electricity is a logical next step. This lesson allows ...

Science Exploration Pathway graphic. Image Description is under Featured Image Description Heading
Overview

Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power
understanding science and engineering through solar power

GRADE(S): 2ND, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH,

Students learn about electricity from solar power through building simple circuits, exploring how solar calculators get their electricity, and from ...

Glowing green spherical robot called a Sphero SPRK+ sitting on a wooden table. Behind it is a small LEGO brick structure.
Solar Sphero SPRK+

Introduction to Drag and Drop Coding Using Scratch
introduction to drag and drop coding using scratch

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

Students go through a series of exercises and projects/challenges to gain familiarity with coding, specifically with drag-and-drop coding. Students ...

Image of a microcontroller
Robotic Sunflower

Creating a Light-Tracking Servo
creating a light-tracking servo

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 9TH,

In this lesson, students will synthesize their Basic Stamp controlled Servo (see previous lesson in unit) for light metering and Servo control. This ...

Photo of a small camp stove. An aluminum cylinder with a mesh outer layer and three visible aluminum feet. On the backside is a half cylinder wooden container with lid.  The stove has a black collar coming from the middle section as well as flame.
Off the Grid: Energy Transformations and Efficiency

Biolite – Fire to Phone Charging
biolite – fire to phone charging

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

This lesson continues to look at the efficiency of USB charging devices, but this time we will be using a commercially available camping stove that ...

A solar boat made of clear plastic cups. 2 cups are taped together a solar panel inside with wires to a motor and propeller outside one end. Plastic straws are taped to lower sides of the boat. Wooden skewers from the top attach a third cup open to the boat.
Adrift in a Sea of Plastic

Design and Engineer Solutions
design and engineer solutions

GRADE(S): 5TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

This lesson is designed to span 9 days with 50-minute sessions. The students will use a Design and Engineering Journal to guide them in the design ...

A shallow rectangular pool is divided into three lanes by two raised dividers and lined with a tarp. In each lane a solar boat made from a clear plastic water bottle can be seen.
Solar Boats

Collect Data and Compare Performances of Different Boat Designs
collect data and compare performances of different boat designs

GRADE(S): 4TH, 5TH, 6TH,

Students will race the solar speedboats, airboats, and surface submarines and then compare the performance results and of the various types of solar ...

Students sitting in a circle on grey carpet with a printout, a ruler, and pencils.
Overview

Understanding Energy Through Wind Turbines
understanding energy through wind turbines

GRADE(S): 3RD, 4TH,

In this unit students will be building knowledge on what energy is and how it is harnessed, students will interact with a variety of energy stations ...

White board sketch of 12 V Car Charger for USB Device. Image Description under Featured Image Description Heading
Off the Grid: Energy Transformations and Efficiency

Designing a Solar Phone Charger
designing a solar phone charger

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

This is the culminating activity for the unit “Off the Grid.” Students will be given some restricted parameters around which to design a solar ...

A handmade electric motor clamped to a table. The motor is a dowel has two horizontal wings that are wrapped in copper wire that are resting parallel wooden base. Nailed into the wood on each side is a nail wrapped in copper wire. A string is connected to the dowel with a weight to make the dowel spin. A yardstick leans next to the table the measure is unreadable, but most of the stick.
A Study of Alternative Fuels

Creating an Electric Motor
creating an electric motor

GRADE(S): 10TH, 11TH, 12TH, 3RD, 4TH, 5TH, 6TH, 7TH, 8TH, 9TH,

Students will discover some properties of electromagnets. They will create their own electric motor and measuring its torque by picking up a weight ...

Food web of orcas Image Description under Featured Image Description Heading
Future Needs of the PNW Hydropower System

Evaluating River Restoration Projects
evaluating river restoration projects

GRADE(S): 6TH, 7TH, 8TH,

This lesson will introduce the role of the Snake River dams and the impacts they have on the Chinook population. Students will examine the pros and ...