Teacher Activity Center

Electronics,

Electrons,

Energy Efficiency,

Smart Grid

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Learning Goal(s):

1.Students will identify all ways that energy is consumed within their homes.2.Students will perform an energy audit of their home and calculate the amount of energy used by each electronic device and appliances.3.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.4.Students will explore various ways to reduce energy (goal is 30% reduction).5.Students will propose a variety of energy reduction plans and present those options to their families for discussion.6.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.

Pedagogy & Practice:

21st Century Skills Development,

Empathetic Engineering,

Engineering Design,

Multiple Learning Styles,

Phenomena-Driven Instruction,

Place-Based Learning,

Project-Based Learning,

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,

A Community Powered by Renewable Energy

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Jonathan Strunin

Relevant NGSS PE:

MS-ESS3-4,

MS-ETS1-1,

MS-ETS1-2,

MS-ETS1-3,

HS-ESS3-2,

HS-ESS3-4,

HS-ETS1-1,

HS-ETS1-2,

HS-ETS1-3,

HS-ETS1-4

Other Subjects Covered:

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,

Math: Algebra,

Math: Functions,

Math: Measurement,

Math: Ratios & Proportions

Estimated Activity Length:

4 hours

Part 3 – Lesson 1: A Plan for Renewable Energy Goals

Grades:

6-12

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will utilize their home energy audits from Part 1, the information they gathered from the wind and solar assessments in Part 2, and the knowledge they gained from the solar project in Part 2 to devise a plan for your city or town to meet renewable...

Energy Content:

Electrical Grid (Transmission & Distribution),

Solar Photovoltaic,

Sources of Energy,

Wind Energy

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Learning Goal(s):

1.Students will utilize previously acquired information about energy needs to create a renewable energy proposal for their city or town.2.Students will perform a solar energy audit on their homes and use class averages to calculate the amount of renewable energy that can be generated on residential properties.3.Students will assess where commercial and local government solar projects can occur within the city or town 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 prepare a brief PowerPoint presentation that summarizes their comprehensive plans that will be presented to a panel of elected officials or local experts/stakeholders.

Pedagogy & Practice:

21st Century Skills Development,

Engineering Design,

Multiple Learning Styles,

Phenomena-Driven Instruction,

Place-Based Learning,

Project-Based Learning,

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,

2: Developing and Using Models,

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,

7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence,

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Jonathan Strunin

Relevant NGSS PE:

MS-ETS1-1,

MS-ETS1-2,

MS-ETS1-3,

MS-ETS1-4,

HS-ESS3-2,

HS-ESS3-4,

HS-ETS1-1,

HS-ETS1-2,

HS-ETS1-3,

HS-ETS1-4

Other Subjects Covered:

Environmental Sciences,

CTE: Career & Technical Education,

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,

Math: Geometry,

Math: Ratios & Proportions,

Social Sciences: Civics,

Social Sciences: Geography

Estimated Activity Length:

4 hours

Our Place in Space: Cosmic Rays

Grades:

3-5

Unit:

Our Place in Space

Lesson Number:

Description:

NOTE: SUN PHOTOMETER SUMULATOR AT CAS.HAMPTONU.EDU SEEMS TO BE NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

Using a map of school buildings, students will pick four areas to monitor over the year using wireless weather stations and the Solar Power Meter. In a following...

Energy Content:

Energy Fundamentals,

Light (Visible),

Solar Thermal,

Thermal Energy (Heat)

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Learning Goal(s):

Students will learn how the sun affects their school by measuring the temperature at different locations around the building in the fall, winter, and spring. They will learn how to measure solar energy and look for trends in temperature and solar power over the year. These trends will then be used to investigate how energy reaches Earth from the Sun.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Research-Secondary

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Jamie Repasky

Relevant NGSS PE:

3-ESS2-1,

3-ESS2-2,

5-ESS1-1

Other Subjects Covered:

Math: Geometry,

Math: Graphing & Representation,

Solar Mobile Design Challenge

Estimated Activity Length:

3 hours

Light Source Efficiency: Exploring Irradiance

Grades:

6-8

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

This lesson explores the concept of irradiance by having students use a Vernier Pryanometer. Using the “Light Source Efficiency” worksheet to guide their work, students measure irradiance as compared to the Sun’s irradiance to see what would be the best...

Energy Content:

Light (Visible),

Solar Photovoltaic

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Learning Goal(s):

Using a Vernier Pyranometer, students will measure electromagnetic radiation in watts per square meter (W/m2 ). Students will compare Sunlight irradiance with various indoor lighting options. Students will make a recommendation as to the optimum indoor lighting for powering solar panels.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Hands-on Materials

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,

7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence

Author:

Kristy Schneider

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Informational Text,

ELA: Writing,

Estimated Activity Length:

2 hours

How much energy do YOU use?

Grades:

7-8

Unit:

Solar vs. Wind Energy

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will learn the difference between energy and power. They will then use this new understanding to compare the energy and power difference of light bulbs (incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, and LED) using a tool called a “Kill-A-Watt” meter....

Energy Content:

Energy Efficiency,

Energy Fundamentals

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Learning Goal(s):

Students will be able to: • Explain the difference between power and energy • Proficiently use a “Kill-A-Watt” meter to determine the power and total energy usage of everyday devices • Compare the total energy used by common household devices • Brainstorm different ways we can conserve electrical energy

Pedagogy & Practice:

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Craig Marais

Relevant NGSS PE:

MS-ESS3-3,

MS-PS3-3

Other Subjects Covered:

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,

Math: Algebra,

Estimated Activity Length:

0 sec

Home Energy Survey

Grades:

4-5

Unit:

Understanding Energy

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will learn how to determine what sources of energy are used in their home. They will determine types of energy used in their home through observation and interviews. This will be documented through a home energy survey sheet that students will...

Energy Content:

Sources of Energy

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Learning Goal(s):

Students will be able to describe the basic principles of various forms of energy and write a detailed description of one of those forms of energy. This written product will include common uses of this form of energy, costs, and basic advantages and disadvantages of using this form of energy.

Pedagogy & Practice:

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

Author:

Eric Gronseth

Relevant NGSS PE:

4-ESS3-1

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Writing

Estimated Activity Length:

40 min

Home Energy Use

Grades:

4-5

Unit:

Understanding Energy

Lesson Number:

Description:

This lesson is meant to provide students the opportunity to learn about the power usage of items in their home that they are already curious about. Students will learn to use a Watt meter to measure the amount of electricity various electric appliances in...

Energy Content:

Energy Efficiency

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will make observations and record about the amount of energy used by various appliances in their home. Students will make conclusions about which items in their home are generating the most energy. Students will make conclusions about methods in which they can reduce the energy used in their homes.

Pedagogy & Practice:

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data

Author:

Eric Gronseth

Relevant NGSS PE:

4-ESS3-1

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Vocabulary Development,

Estimated Activity Length:

40 min

Setting Up the Experiment - Solar Water Heating

Grades:

4-5

Unit:

Understanding Energy

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will set up the experiment that they will use to determine the amount of energy from the sun that can be used to heat water and the variables that can help the exchange of heat most effectively. They will accomplish this through setting up simple...

Energy Content:

Solar Thermal,

Thermal Energy (Heat)

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Learning Goal(s):

Students will use their previous learning about observation and solar power to set up an experiment to determine the amount of heat that can be collected in water containers from the sun. Students will determine three variables that affect the jug’s absorption and trapping of energy from the sun. Students will take data measurements from these set ups in order to make evidence-based conclusions from the experiment.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Engineering Design,

Establishing a Culture of Science,

Hands-on Materials

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

Author:

Eric Gronseth

Relevant NGSS PE:

4-PS3-4,

4-ESS3-1

Estimated Activity Length:

40 min

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.

Energy Content:

Energy Fundamentals,

Potential & Kinetic Energy

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Learning Goal(s):

To access prior knowledge about different forms of energy

Pedagogy & Practice:

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

Author:

Erin Sturtz

Relevant NGSS PE:

MS-PS3-2,

MS-PS3-5

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Speaking & Listening,

ELA: Writing

Estimated Activity Length:

50 min

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.

Energy Content:

Energy Efficiency,

Energy Fundamentals

More Details Less Details

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

Pedagogy & Practice:

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices: