How can the power of moving water be used to generate electricity? Water is powerful. This is reflected in a series of connected phenomenon videos.

• Ship in Storm
• Black Rock River Breaching into the Indian Ocean
• Runaway Barges Sink After Hitting Dam in Oklahoma
• Wind swept surf line waves ashore Bandon beach Oregon
• Spectacular Time Lapse Dam “Removal” Video
• INCREDIBLE COLLAPSE TRIGGERED BY GLACIER CALVING
• Wilson Inlet Bar Opening
• Flood vs Steady Side by Side

Students explore the power of water phenomena through videos of moving water then create a driving question board around how the power of moving water can be used to generate electricity. Students are introduced to the concept of hydroelectric power through content exploration and discussion.

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

This lesson takes students through different hands-on and virtual circuit-building activities in order to make sense of the essential question: What does it take to make a functioning circuit?

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 of their region, state, or North America.

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 how water power impacts the environment and people. Additionally, students will explore energy sovereignty and tribal energy independence in the Pacific Northwest to learn about how hydropower has impacted tribal nations.

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 in a bucket (reserve), Length of Penstock, or Height difference between penstock and inline generator. Students then test the variables and collect data. Finally, students compare results with classmates’ and develop a claim, evidence, and reasoning paragraph to support or refute their claim.

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 it to collect data and observe how water power is converted into electricity.

Students create a trading card about a career in renewable energy that interests them. Students can also explore different careers in Hydropower through a “Hydropower Careers Guess Who” game.