Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Catch the Wave!

For Students 3rd - 8th
In this energy science fair project, the student will use ocean buoy data to determine if any locations along the coasts of the United States are appropriate for building wave energy power systems.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Get Something for Nothing: Free Power From the Sun!

For Students 9th - 10th
Taking advantage of free energy can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, which are harmful to our environment. In this science fair project, you will work with a solar panel, which is a collector of free energy, and investigate how...
Website
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

The National Academies: Renewable Sources: Hydroelectric

For Students 9th - 10th
Hydroelectric power has been a major source of energy production in the United States. More recently, other alternative energy sources have taken some of its market share. Hydroelectricity has both advantages and disadvantages, briefly...
Website
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

The National Academies: Renewable Sources: Biomass

For Students 9th - 10th
The pros and cons of harnessing energy from biomass are outlined. Biomass refers to biological materials that are used to produce energy. Wood and manure are examples of biomass.
Website
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

The National Academies: Renewable Sources: Wind

For Students 9th - 10th
The status of wind energy production in the United States is described, with the advantages and disadvantages of this alternative energy source.
Article
Other

Accenture: Reinventing Oil and Gas for a New Energy Era

For Students 9th - 10th
With energy systems becoming decarbonized, digitalized, and demand-driven, this report explores how disruption is changing oil and gas. Discover how oil companies can respond by reinventing and redefining their purpose to drive the...
Website
University of Wisconsin

The Why Files: Super Solar Cells

For Students 9th - 10th
An understandable description of modern research that is currently being conducted to develop a more efficient photovoltaic (solar energy) cell. It also contains links to other pages on renewable energy sources.
Website
NASA

Nasa: Climate Kids: Energy

For Students 3rd - 8th
Explore energy resources through stories, case studies, activities, and examples.
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: A 40 Year Plan for Energy

For Students 9th - 10th
In this intimate talk filmed at TED's offices, energy innovator Amory Lovins shows how to get the US off oil and coal by 2050, $5 trillion cheaper, with no Act of Congress, led by business for profit. The key is integrating all four...
Activity
US Department of Energy

U.s. Department of Energy: Coal: Our Most Abundant Fuel

For Students 9th - 10th
The U.S. has enough coal to last for the next 200-300 years. So why are we not using more of it? This article describes the different types or "ranks" of coal, the history, and the problems with burning coal for energy.
Handout
Other

Institute for Energy Research: Fossil Fuels

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed article providing information about fossil fuel resources in the United States and how they impact economic growth. Several reports, which can be downloaded, examine energy policies, the potential for economic growth, and...
eBook
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Life Science: 12.29 Renewable Resources

For Students 5th - 9th
Learn how some renewable resources contribute to alternative energy sources.
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Renewable Versus Non Renewable Resources

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Distinguishes between renewable and nonrenewable resources.
Unit Plan
Other

Seeds Foundation: Hydroelectricity

For Students 9th - 10th
Have you ever tried to walk across a flowing stream? Have you ever watched a news report that showed cars and bridges being washed away by a flood? These experiences and events suggest the force of moving water, which provides a...
Handout
Energy4Me

Energy4me: Solar Energy

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the history of solar energy, and how the energy is converted into usable electricity.
Lesson Plan
Council for Economic Education

Econ Ed Link: Be an Energy Saver

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson focuses on the scarce and non-renewable nature of fossil fuels in order to stimulate student thinking about energy conservation. It emphasizes the fact that saving energy can be good for the wallet as well as the earth's...
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: Why Aren't We Only Using Solar Power?

For Students 9th - 10th
Solar power is cheaper and more sustainable than our current coal-fueled power plants, so why haven't we made the switch? The real culprits here are the clouds, which make solar power difficult to control. Alexandros George Charalambides...
Website
US Senate

U.s. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

For Students 9th - 10th
The responsibilities of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources oversees important legislation in Congress and has distinguished itself as among the most nonpartisan in the Senate.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Energy Gallery Walk

For Teachers 5th - 9th
A cooperative learning activity using the Gallery Walk Strategy to enrich student understanding of the complex nature of solving our nation's energy needs.
Interactive
US Department of Energy

U.s. Department of Energy: Geothermal Technologies: Enhanced Geothermal System

For Students 9th - 10th
Through both an interactive animation and a short video, learn about the enhanced geothermal system as a means to utilize the Earth's heat as an energy source for our electricity needs.
PPT
NASA

Nasa: Climate Kids: Gallery of Energy

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of photographs highlighting alternative energy sources from fields of wind farms to towers of solar panels.
Handout
Energy4Me

Energy4me: Energy Technology

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the many sources of energy used around the world.
Handout
Other

National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Geothermal Heat Pump Basics

For Students 9th - 10th
Basic information about how these heat pumps function and where they can be used.
Lesson Plan
Climate Literacy

Clean: Generating Electricity: Evaluating the Sustainability Energy Sources

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this activity, students learn about the energy sources used by their local utility provider to generate electricity and work in small groups to evaluate the sustainability of either a renewable or non-renewable resource used to...