Museum of Science
Museum of Science and Industry: Online Science: Activities: Build a Wind Turbine
Step-by-step instructions, with photos, of how to construct and test a wind turbine that produces energy. This experiment does require preparation as it uses PVC pipes, a small motor, and a multimeter, for example.
Climate Literacy
Clean: Life Cycle Assessment of Biofuels 101
Multi-lesson activity in which students conduct a life cycle assessment of energy and carbon dioxide used and produced in ethanol production.
NOAA
Noaa: Ne Mo: Chemosynthesis
Deep under the ocean there is no light for plants to perform photosynthesis. This site is a good overview of the alternative energy method, chemosynthesis. Read all about it.
Other
Florida Dept. Of Education: Conservation of Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources
In this learning module, students learn to differentiate between renewable and nonrenewable resources, and identify resources that fit into each category. It explains the environmental effects of using nonrenewable resources, such as...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Biodiesel: The Afterlife of Oil
Natascia Radice describes the process of turning used cooking oil into useful biodiesel. [4:15]
Energy4Me
Energy4me: Wind Energy
Learn about the alternative energy source, wind energy. Find out the history of this renewable resource and how it works to convert wind energy into electricity.
Energy4Me
Energy4me: Biofuels
Learn the history of the use of biofuels, and find out how this works to convert the energy stored in biological materials into electrical power.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Wind Power
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How wind can be used to generate power, and its consequences.
Smithsonian Institution
Lemelson Centre: Spark!lab: Make Your Own Wind Turbine
A wind turbine is a machine that captures the force of the wind to produce electricity. Learn how to make a wind turbine as a student or as a teacher. An experiment can be downloaded.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Economics of Installing Solar Pv Panels: Is It Worth It to the Individual?
Help determine the financial calculations involved in an actual solar photovoltaic system installed Denver, Colorado in 2013.
Other
Terc: Catching Sunshine
A hands-on challenge to build a solar collector to investigate how much the air temperature inside the collector goes up. Site includes information for teachers and students. Teachers page include time requirement, materials needed, the...
Other
Terc: Chocolate Melt
A design challenge to build a solar cooker that will melt a chocolate chip quickly. Site includes both teacher and student links to help with the challenge. Information for teachers includes timeline, materials, link to standards,...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Researching, Constructing, and Testing (Student Made) Solar Ovens
For this science investigation, students will research models of solar ovens, choose one design, and create it. Once built, they will test it outside and record the internal temperature at intervals. Next, they are to change on variable...
Other
Engineering Your Future Ohio: Della Steam Plant Case Study
This lesson gives a real world example of challenges and choices engineers face in their careers. The Della Steam Plant Case Study allows students to analyze and present finding about a problem found in the power plant's turbine system....
Museum of Science
Museum of Science and Industry: Online Science: Activities: Solar Oven
Step-by-step instructions, with photos, of how to construct a solar oven using everyday materials.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: How Do Nuclear Power Plants Work?
M.V. Ramana and Sajan Saini detail the challenges of nuclear power.
Better Planet Productions
Earth Care: Toys for the Future [Pdf]
For this activity designed for Grade 8, middle schoolers are given the hypothetical task of designing a new school playground area for the younger children. The space must highlight technological innovation and renewable or alternative...
Other
Ecological Enterprises, Inc.: Climate Ark
Provides links, a search tool, and an archive to climate change related news stories on topics including greenhouse effect, deforestation, alternative energy sources, global warming, and other environmental issues.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Biodiesels: Converting Oil Into Clean Fuel
Experiment making biodiesel from different types of oil and determine which oils give the best result. This science fair project from Science Buddies, although in an abbreviated format compared to other Science Buddies experiments, gives...
University of Wisconsin
The Why Files: Time for Nukes?
The Why? Files article features the alternative energy source nuclear power and discusses the benefits and hazards of nuclear power plants. Also contains additional links for further study.
Other
Warm Air: Solar Heating
Solar heating systems and their operation are described, and their benefits, both economic and environmental are discussed in detail.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Life Science: 12.29 Renewable Resources
Learn how some renewable resources contribute to alternative energy sources.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Wind Power
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How wind can be used to generate power, and its consequences.
Other
Advanced Thermoelectric: Fundamental Thermoelectrics
Discusses the scientific principles (the Peltier effect) and the reliability and operation of thermoelectric modules. Includes a link to several other pages, one of which contains an animation of their operation.