Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Alternative Energy

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students discover types of energy. In this physics lesson, students discuss ways to power a car a design a model car kit with an alternative form of energy.
Lesson Plan
Carnegie Mellon University

Hydroelectricity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Use a simple PowerPoint presentation to introduce you environmental studies class to hydropower. Hold a debate about the pros and cons of developing this form of alternative energy. Power up your class with this simple lesson on a topic...
Lesson Plan
Kenan Fellows

Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Energy Resources

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Is one type of energy inherently good or bad? Young scientists explore energy resources in a week-long unit. After extensive research, groups create powerful position statements and presentations supporting their energy resource of choice.
Lesson Plan
Kenan Fellows

Sensors in Chemistry

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The Environmental Protection Agency monitors sensors to track air pollution and set clean air standards. Enthusiastic young scientists use similar sensors to gather data in their area and then apply the gas laws and conservation of...
Activity
DiscoverE

Design a Folding Solar Panel

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Solar energy is an amazing alternative ... but, not always particularly portable! Challenge young scientists to a folding solar panel build-off with an easy-to-execute activity. Scholars brainstorm around specific design needs, construct...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Renewable Energy Sources

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Place learners into groups to research and present different renewable energy sources. As individuals listen to the class presentations, they take notes and then write a persuasive article defending the form of energy that they feel...
Lesson Plan
NOAA

What's the Big Deal?

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Who knew that a possible answer to Earth's energy resource problems was lurking deep beneath the ocean's surface? Part four of a six-part series introduces Earth Science pupils to methane hydrate, a waste product of methanogens. After...
Lesson Plan
Teach Engineering

Antimatter Matters

For Teachers 6th - 9th Standards
Use science fiction movies to teach pupils about antimatter and alternate universes. Individuals learn about the portrayal of antimatter and alternate universes in movies such as Star Trek and Angels & Demons. They consider three...
Lesson Plan
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Teach Engineering

Engineering Brainstorming

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Here is a lesson that offers a great hybrid of forming new skills and using current knowledge to come up with a plan. The class brainstorms information they would need to know or already know about hybrid vehicles. They then group...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Alternative Energies

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars research various forms of alternative energy sources and examine the pros and cons of each type. They discuss American oil dependence and the Bush administration's policies regarding this issue.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Energy?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students define energy and identify the different types that exist. They identify places they see, hear or feel energy. They understand the role of engineering in finding and testing sources of energy for the production of electricity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chemical Consequences of Burning Fossil Fuels

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Future scientists are introduced to the chemical consequences of burning fossil fuels, learning that fossil fuel combustion leads to the formation of oxides of three nonmetals: carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur, all of which end up in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Clean, Green Power

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students explore and discuss alternative energy sources, and identify disadvantages of current fossil fuels.
Lesson Plan
APlusPhysics

Generate an Argument: Indian Point Nuclear Plant

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Small groups in your physics class collaborate on researching and forming an opinion on whether or not to continue operating the Indian Point nuclear power plant in New York. Once the information is gathered and an argument developed,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Environmental Puzzle: The Carbon Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students are introducced to how respiration and photosysnthesis cycle carbon through ecosystems. They read background information that describes the role of the Sun as Earth's ultimate energy source and explains how the energy...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Insulators

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students design and carry out an investigation to test which materials is the best insulator: they predict which way heat energy flows in a system and analyze the flow of energy in a system from one point to another and from one form to...
Lesson Plan
Carnegie Mellon University

Marcellus Shale: Who Pays?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
After viewing short clips of unfortunate events, your class will consider two sides of a homeowner's court case, and then learn about the Marcellus shale deposit beneath the state of Pennsylvania and the hydraulic fracturing process. In...
Lesson Plan
Carnegie Mellon University

Natural Gas and Pennsylvania’s Future

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Beginning with a general discussion about natural gas, methane, and hydrocarbons, a few videos and diagrams are projected to support the lecture. Individuals participate in a brief activity by drinking juice through a straw, and then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Day in the Life of a Coal Miner (1910)

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Learners compare and contrast fossil fuels and bio-fuels. They brainstorm what mining might look like in the future. Students view the film "A Day in the Life of a Coalminer." They discuss fossil fuels and the methods of extraction....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Transforming Energy

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders study about alternate energy sources and discuss with their neighbor how alternative energy sources affect environmental conditions so that an entire species could be affected.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Writing the Position Paper

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students write position papers on a form of alternative energy production. They use several class periods to develop and write their paper and them participate in an extensive peer review session.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pump it Up

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the rising cost of gasoline and how it impacts people around the world differently.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

GLOBAL WARMING

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students form definitions of the greenhouse effect based on prior knowledge, class discussion, viewing diagrams, and participate in group brainstorming sessions and class discussions related to the impact of the greenhouse effect and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Air Quality and Transportation in the Tulsa Area

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students investigate the effects of air pollution. In this environmental lesson, students discuss the causes of air pollution and identify how transportation has an effect on the air quality. Students identify other alternatives to driving.