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Teach Engineering

Solar Angles and Tracking Systems

For Teachers 9th - 12th
The sun will continue to rise in the east and set in the west, no matter what. The first instructional activity in a series of eight introduces the class to solar angles. It makes connections between a person's latitude and the angle of...
Handout
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

The National Academies: Our Energy Sources: Nuclear Energy

For Students 9th - 10th
Nuclear fission energy accounts for a large portion of energy production worldwide. New plants will use improved technologies. There is also research underway to explore how to harness the energy produced from nuclear fusion, but this...
Handout
US Energy Information Administration

U.s. Eia Energy Kids: Energy Sources: Hydrogen

For Students 9th - 10th
Comprehensive overview of the use of hydrogen as a source of energy. Learn what it is, how it is produced, its uses, and much more.
Handout
US Department of Energy

U.s. Department of Energy: Energy Basics: Renewable Energy: Geothermal

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out about renewable energy resources using geothermal technologies as the source. Learn how scientists have discovered how to utilize sustainable heat from the Earth using several methods.
Handout
US Department of Energy

U.s. Department of Energy: Energy Basics: Renewable Energy: Solar Energy

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out about renewable energy resources using solar energy technologies. Learn about the use of photovoltaic cells and the capture of the sun's energy.
Handout
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Global Warming: Beyond Fossil Fuels

For Students 9th - 10th
Martin Hoffert, professor of physics at New York University, discusses global warming and alternative energies in this interview from the NOVA/FRONTLINE: "What's Up with the Weather?"
Handout
US Energy Information Administration

U.s. Eia Energy Kids: Timelines: Geothermal

For Students 9th - 10th
Timeline of key milestones in the use of geothermal as a source of energy, starting with the first geothermal power plant built in Italy, in 1904.
Handout
Energy4Me

Energy4me: Energy Technology

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

Encyclopedia of Earth: Energy

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of articles on energy-related topics, including fossil fuels, conservation, alternative energy, and environmental issues.
Handout
US Department of Energy

U.s. Department of Energy: Energy Basics: Renewable Energy: Hydropower

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out about renewable energy resources using hydropower technologies. Learn the history of use, and read about the benefits of utilizing water as a power source.
Handout
State Energy Conservation Office-Texas

State Energy Conservation Office: Renewable Energy for the Home [Pdf]

For Students 4th - 6th
Discusses different ways to heat and cool a home, and perform a variety of tasks, using renewable energy sources. Examples include window shades, a solar water heater, solar-powered toys, etc.
Handout
State Energy Conservation Office-Texas

State Energy Conservation Office: Electricity From the Sun [Pdf]

For Students 4th - 6th
Discusses forms of renewable energy that rely on the sun. For example, wind is created when solar energy heats the air, and biomass is solar energy that has been stored in plants.
Handout
State Energy Conservation Office-Texas

State Energy Conservation Office: Renewable Energy Guide for Buildings [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
A basic guide for ways to be more energy-efficient and to use more renewable energy sources in a building. These include methods of reducing heat or cool air loss, ways of harnessing solar energy, and using the wind for ventilation.
Handout
Encyclopedia of Earth

Encyclopedia of Earth: Energy: Solar Power

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains what solar power is, how it is produced, its limitations as an alternative energy source, environmental issues, the importance of analyzing solar power systems on an ongoing basis, and geographical considerations. (Published:...
Handout
Other

Centre for Alternative Technology: Information Service

For Students 9th - 10th
Information and advice on sustainable living. Provides data for people that might want to use technology in the construction or conversion of their home into an environmentally sustainable structure.
Handout
State Energy Conservation Office-Texas

State Energy Conservation Office: Feasibility of Photovoltaic Systems [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Summarizes how a photovoltaic or PV system works to convert solar energy into electricity. Explains how to estimate what size of PV system is needed and what the cost would be, and provides a worksheet with formulas for calculating...
Handout
Encyclopedia of Earth

Encyclopedia of Earth: Photovoltaics

For Students 9th - 10th
Article explaining what photovoltaic cells are, their role in solar energy, how they work, how electricity is produced, and applications of this technology. (Published: April 24, 2010)
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.
Handout
State Energy Conservation Office-Texas

State Energy Conservation Office: Generating Electricity With Biomass

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the overall picture of biomass use as a source of renewable energy in the United States. Five methods of generating electricity from biomass are described.
Handout
Other

Student Energy: Alternative Energy

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides the definition of alternative energy and how it differs from the definition of renewable energy. Includes a list of links to some excellent resources.
Handout
State Energy Conservation Office-Texas

State Energy Conservation Office: Energy Sources: Biomass: Manure for Fuel

For Students 9th - 10th
Texas is famous for its cattle ranches, and all those cattle produce a lot of manure. Texans are working on projects to harness the energy in manure in various ways. Dry manure has been and continues to be burned for heating and cooking....
Handout
Energy4Me

Energy4me: Energy Challenges

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the challenges of global energy use and consumption, and what solutions exist for today's engineers.
Handout
Energy for Sustainable Development

Esd Bulgaria: Kids & Energy: Energy Facts

For Students 3rd - 5th
A collection of facts about energy use broken down into various topic areas, e.g., health impact of fossil fuels, transportation, energy consumption, alternative energies, etc.
Handout
Other

Florida Dept. Of Education: Conservation of Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources

For Students 9th - 10th
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...