Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: The Habitable Planet: Energy Challenges

For Students 9th - 10th
With this resource, users join investigators in the exploration of humans' use of and dependence on the many energy resources. Learn about new technologies such as carbon capture and sequestration as an alternative to reduce our carbon...
Handout
National Geographic

National Geographic: Encyclopedic Entry: Non Renewable Energy

For Students 3rd - 8th
A good primer on non-renewable energy sources. Covers the overall advantages and disadvantages, and discusses the different types and their pros and cons. Includes a slideshow with captions.
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Energy Through Time

For Students 9th - 10th
The quest for energy has always been a balancing act. As humans have gained greater control over their environment, they've found abundant resources - and faced numerous challenges. This article traces the history of our quest for energy.
Website
Other

First Energy: The Electric Avenue: Energy Fun Factory

For Students 3rd - 8th
Here, students can learn all about energy sources and electricity. Activities include games and calculating energy costs in their homes.
Lesson Plan
Other

American Coal Foundation: Lesson Plan: Conserving Electric Energy

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Lesson plan focuses on electricity use and energy consumption, while engaging students in a hands-on activity that helps them comprehend the effects of regulation and conserving energy resources.
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.
eBook
Other

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts: The Energy Report: Coal [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Chapter 7 of a report on the energy industry in Texas. It looks at coal, its history, its uses, its economic impact in Texas, consumption, mining, and the transportation of coal. The process of generating electricity from coal is...
Lesson Plan
Other

American Coal Foundation: The United States of Energy

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Help students learn about coal and its role in energy and electricity. The United States of Energy is a complete classroom program that allows students to learn about the many energy sources that power the United States and includes...
Unit Plan
University of California

Understanding Science: Cold Fusion: A Case Study for Scientific Behavior

For Students 9th - 10th
Major issue--the energy sources currently available to the world all have major drawbacks in the long term. Oil is efficient but leads to climate change. Coal is plentiful but polluting. Solar energy is appealing but only as dependable...
Website
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

The National Academies: Our Energy Sources: Fossil Fuels

For Students 9th - 10th
An overview of fossil fuels used in the United States. Coal, oil and natural gas are listed with information about each energy source.
Lesson Plan
Other

American Coal Foundation: Lesson Plan: Coal Supply and Demand

For Teachers 5th - 6th
In this one period lesson, students will learn the relationship between supply and demand for natural resources such as coal, and explore how these conditions affect the cost of energy.
Website
US Geological Survey

Usgs: Energy Resources Program

For Students 9th - 10th
Find the latest research and publications on the subject of energy, in particular: oil, gas and coal resources.
Handout
Energy for Sustainable Development

Esd Bulgaria: Kids & Energy: Electricity

For Students 3rd - 8th
Electricity is the flow of electrical power or charge. It is a secondary energy source which means that we get it from the conversion of other sources of energy, like coal, natural gas, oil, nuclear power and other natural sources, which...
Graphic
Curated OER

University of Texas: Maps: Central Asia: Fuel and Energy Centers

For Students 9th - 10th
Looking for coal reserves in Central Asia? This map from the University of Texas shows the fuel reserves and energy sources in the Central Asia region.
Lesson Plan
Climate Literacy

Clean: Us Energy Production and Consumption

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lesson students will compare and contrast regional energy production of 5 different US regions, including California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington. Students will also analyze production and consumption data of US...
Website
Energy for Sustainable Development

Esd Bulgaria: Kids & Energy: Energy Timelines

For Students 3rd - 8th
A collection of timelines showing the history of developments in the use of different fuels and methods of getting energy - wood, electricity, coal, oil, nuclear power, and fuels used in transportation.
Handout
US Energy Information Administration

U.s. Eia Energy Kids: Coal

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Easy-to-understand information on mining and transporting coal, producing it, uses of coal, and coal and the environment.
Primary
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source: Boomtimes: 20th Century Mining Mojave Desert

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
This collection uses primary sources to explore twentieth-century mining in the Mojave Desert.
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...
Handout
eSchool Today

E School Today: Non Renewable Energy

For Students 3rd - 8th
Learn what non-renewable energy is and the different types.
Lesson Plan
University of Arizona

Pulse: Powerful Explorations of Health and Energy

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A cross curricular unit where students simulate an energy task meeting to discuss protecting human health through energy policies. The unit covers content for twelfth grade in math, physics, language arts, and government. Topics reviewed...
Lesson Plan
Cynthia J. O'Hora

Mrs. O's House: Clean Coal Technology

For Teachers 9th - 10th
There is a debate on the table discussing whether clean coal is a viable source of energy or not. Understand the opposing views and decide what side of the table you fall on. Extension resources and activities are provided.
Handout
eSchool Today

E School Today: Nonrenewable Energy: Natural Gas

For Students 3rd - 8th
Get the basics on nonrenewable energy. Learn about its uses and conservation.
Website
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

The National Academies: Our Energy Sources: Natural Gas

For Students 9th - 10th
Energy production from natural gas is less destructive to the environment than energy produced from coal, but it is still produced from fossil fuels. While advances have been made in reducing its detrimental effects, our resources are...