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Activity
American Chemical Society

Soda Can Steam Engine

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Steam engines have been around since the late 1600s, yet most pupils don't know how they work. Using an soda can, the instructor builds a simple steam engine for scholars to observe. Through a discussion, young scientists learn about the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where's the Energy

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students research energy conversions. For this energy lesson, students describe the basic operation of a steam engine.  They explain the energy conversions in the steam engine's operation. 
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Lesson Plan
Teach Engineering

Energy Efficiency

For Teachers 6th - 10th Standards
Using the resource is probably the most efficient way to learn about efficiency. The 18th installment of a 25-part Energy Systems and Solutions unit has pupils investigate energy efficiency through discussions and associated activities....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

All Steamed Up

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Learners examine the energy conversions and simple machines are involved in the operation of a steam engine. They make a replica of a small steam engine.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Steamship Portland: Where's the Energy?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students examine how steamships operate. They describe the necessary energy conversions. They construct a model paddlewheel ship. They use rubber bands as examples of potential and kinetic energy as they unwind and set the models in motion.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Machines: Designing Form and Function

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students design a boat model with simplified steam engine. In this ecology lesson, students compare renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. They determine the efficiency of their boat model.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hybrid Vehicles: Cut Pollution and Save Money

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Math and science meet in this instructional activity on hybrid electric automobiles. This 24-page resource provides everything you need for teaching a instructional activity that compares the use of internal combustion engines to hybrid...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Do Car Engines Work?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers perform an experiment which simulates what happens inside an internal combustion engine. They explain how the chemical reaction they witnessed is similar to what happens inside the car engine.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Conversion

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders study energy conversions. They watch a demonstration of a working engine and make a chart explaining the energy conversions taking place. They build a simple electric motor and research other types of electric generators.
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Activity
Dr. Seuss Enterprises

Read Across America

For Teachers K - 6th Standards
Celebrate the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss on Read Across America Day with a collection of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics activities, each linked to a popular Dr. Seuss story. 
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PPT
National Energy Education Development Project

Exploring Transportation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Did you know horsepower is actually based on the power of a horse? 60 horse power is the equivalent of being pulled by a team of 60 horses! Viewers will learn other interesting facts like this from a presentation that begins with the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Thermodynamics of Transportation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students watch videos about various modes of transportation, they examine the energy transformations that occur in each, and they be introduced to the laws of thermodynamics.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electrical Generators

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Students study what an electric generator does and its history.  In this energy lesson students complete several experiments including building their own electric generator.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History of Coal in the United States

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine a timeline of coal mining in the US and research how the policies of coal dependent companies have changes over the last 50 years.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Breathing Victory

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students know that participation in sports requires energy. They comprehend that we get energy form the foods that we eat and the air thta we breathe. Converting food and air into usable energy is defined as celluar respiration. Students...
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Lesson Plan
Carnegie Mellon University

How Power Plants Work 2

For Teachers 7th - 12th
For this second of three lessons on power plants, future engineers find out how we generate electricity and how coal-powered plants operate. They work in small groups to make electromagnet generators to light LED bulbs. A set of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Car Engines

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Young scholars create piston systems and explore the conversion of linear to rotary motion that propels a car. In this motion lesson, students build and test a model piston/crankshift system and discover why there is a maximum limit to...
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Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

Rising CO2! What Can We Do?

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
It is colorless and scentless, but it makes a large impact on the environment. Learners explore carbon dioxide emissions and what they mean for the environment using an interactive graph. They review changes over time and how they impact...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Finding" Horsepower

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate horsepower as a unit of power. They examine history and discover that scientists and engineers of high achievement are considered to be among the most valued contributors to their culture.
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Catapults

For Students 4th - 8th Standards
Ready, aim, fire! Launch to a new level of understanding as scholars build and test their own catapults. Learners explore lever design and how adjusting the fulcrum changes the outcome. 
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Fossil Fuel Scavenger Hunt

For Students 6th - 8th
In this earth science worksheet, students complete each of the statements with the correct fossil fuel. They identify when and where electricity first became available. Students also define fossil fuels and where they first got their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fire Safety

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students investigate fire safety. In this safety activity, students identify the fire exits in the school building and draw a floor plan of their house to create an emergency escape route.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Breathing Victory

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students discuss anaerobic respiration and how it relates to sprinting. After discussion of related processes, students create a brochure that explains the complex processes behind every muscular interaction.
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PPT
Curated OER

La Belle Époque [1871-1914]:

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Progress through various aspects of the  "The Beautiful Era" in this presentation. Political, technological, and scientific contexts surround the time of innovation and change in the world landscape. The short length of this slide show...