Jennifer Olesh
East Washington Middle School ICP (8th grade)
Title: Alternative Energy - What is it and would it work for us?
Standards
ICP.8.1 Describe how energy needs have changed throughout history and how energy needs are met in modern society.
ICP.8.2 Describe the benefits and risks of the development of non-renewable forms of energy such as coal, oil, natural gas and uranium fission sources.
ICP.8.3 Describe the benefits and risks of the development of renewable forms of energy such as solar energy, wind-energy, geothermal energy, fusion energy and biofuels.
ICP.8.4 Describe how efficient use of renewable and non-renewable energy sources is essential to maintaining an acceptable environment.
ICP.8.5 Describe how the availability of energy resources is essential to the development of an economically viable society.
ICP.8.6 Contrast the dependence on and use of energy and other natural resources in the economies of industrial nations, of developing nations and of undeveloped nations.
This lesson will take place at the beginning of a unit on electricity. By the end of this lesson students should be able to:
1. Explain how electricity is produced from a coal plant. 2. Trace the path of the electricity from plant to home.
3. Differentiate between renewable and non renewable energy sources and state which sources are considered "alternative sources of energy."
4. When given an example of an energy source, give two advantages and two disadvantages of that source.
5. Be familiar with their home energy use and be able to name two excessive uses of energy in the home and two ways that energy consumption could be lessened.
6. Know at least one place in the US and one place in the world that an alternative energy source is used on a wide scale.
The final assessment for this project will be the production of a one page info graphic, poster, or advertisement highlighting one energy source. The product should include
-how electricity is made from the source
-how much electricity is made in the US from the source -one place in the world that uses this source
-2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of the source -the feasibility of using this source in Southern Indiana -the cost of producing electricity from this source -at least three sources given and cited correctly -neatness, color
Day 1 and 2
Begin by asking students the following questions. Ideally, this would be a
question/answer/discussion by the class. Be aware that some answers may lead to follow up questions. Plan on 20+ minutes for this session, depending on your students.
Questions:
1. Take 5 minutes and write down how electricity benefits you each day. Then, think about what would happen if you didn't have access to electricity. Would you consider it a minor inconvenience or a day-ruining event?
2. What do the words "alternative energy" mean? 3. What is the energy an alternative to?
4. When we get electricity from REMC or Duke, what do theses companies use to produce our electricity?
5. Raise your hand if you think that it is possible to generate all of the electricity that we use from alternative sources.
6. What is the difference between a renewable and a non renewable resource? 7. Why are some resources considered non-renewable?
8. Is there a difference between a non renewable resource and a non renewable energy source?
9. In your opinion, what is the number one reason people look for alternative energy sources?
10. Name one alternative energy source that you have seen in use and explain where you saw it and what it was being used for.
Next, direct students to the following website: http://www.eia.gov/kids/index.cfm. Pass out the worksheet titled "Energy Kids" and allow students to browse the website and answer questions. Students should plan to use the questions as they begin working on their projects.
Have the students use the internet to come up with a sketch or written description of how
electricity is made in a coal plant and how it gets into our homes. The following terms should be included in the sketch/description:
coal pulverize generator turbine voltage transformer substation
Once students have finished their explanations, they should share and compare their information with a partner. They should make corrections if necessary.
Review this information with students and then discuss with them ways other energy sources can be used to produce electricity.
Day 4 and 5
Divide students into the following groups: Coal Solar Wind Hydro Natural gas Nuclear Biomass
Each group should use the internet to come up with answers to the following questions about their resource.
1. How is electricity made from the source? 2. Is the source renewable or non renewable?
3. What are two advantages and two disadvantages of using this source to produce electricity? 4. Name one place in the US and one place somewhere else in the world that your source is
used on a large scale.
5. How much electricity is generated now in the US and world from your source? Is that predicted to change in the next 10 years? If so, how?
6. What is the cost of producing electricity from this source?
7. Would this source be a logical source of electricity for us in Southern Indiana? Why or why not?
Once students have answered and discussed the questions, they are "experts" on that energy source. Divide the class into groups with one expert from each source in the group. Allow students time to teach the group the information about their resource.
Use Discovery Education and have students complete the following Explorations and Virtual Lab with questions.
Plugging into the Grid Power Up
How Big is Your Footprint
Day 7
Students will work to produce their final project. Projects can be done on the iPad or written by hand.
Log onto Discovery Education. There are three assignments to be completed. Answer the questions as you go through the labs.
Plugging into the Grid
1. Why is electricity moved as alternating current?
Source Important Number Question
Power Plant What turns the turbine in a coal
fired plant?
Transmission Substation Why is the voltage increased
here?
Power substation What happens to the voltage
here? Why?
Home How does the electric company
keep track of your electrical use?
Power Up
For each source, list the % use in the US. Then, answer the questions. Coal ______________.
1.Coal is ______________ but ___________ costs are high. 2. What are three harmful emissions?
3. What is one way power plants can reduce coal emissions? Natural Gas _____________
1. Why is natural gas more expensive to use than coal? Nuclear power __________
1. What are two concerns that people have when they hear "nuclear power?" Petroleum __________
1. What is the main use of petroleum in the US? Hydro ___________
1. Why is there not much opportunity to expand hydro power in the US? Solar/other ________
1. What is a solar farm?
How Big is your Footprint?
Complete the virtual lab. Once you have completed the experiment, write a summary of your findings. Be sure to include data to support your conclusion.
Energy Kids
Use the website to answer the following questions. http://www.eia.gov/kids/index.cfm
2. What does the Law of Conservation of Energy say?
3. When a car burns gas, if the energy isn't destroyed, where does it go? 4. How did petroleum form?
5. What is the definition of a BTU?
6. A BTU doesn't mean much to us since we don't really measure frequently in BTU's. Use the chart and find out how many BTU's are equal to a gallon of gas.
7. A kilowatt-hour is equal to 3412 BTU's. How many gallons of gas is this equal to? 8. In 2013, the average American household used 909 kilowatt hours/month. How much
gasoline is this equivalent to?
9. What are the top five countries in the world in terms of energy consumption? 10.Use the chart - in what category does the US lead? Why is this?
11.What sector of the US uses the most energy?
12.What do private homes use the largest percent of energy for? 13.What region of the US uses the most energy? Why is this?
14.In the past 30 years, the use of small appliances has increased dramatically in the US. What are three of the appliances that contribute the most to energy consumption? 15.What is the difference between efficiency and conservation?
16.What is one way that you could CONSERVE energy at home?
17.What is one way that you could be more energy EFFICIENT at home?
18.Look at the list of Famous People. Pick one and briefly tell their contribution to the topic of energy.
19.Take the quiz. Record your score here ______________
Resources for students - these are a suggestion and are not all encompassing.
www.discoveryeducation.com (this is a subscription site - some activities are free but many require a subscription to access)
http://teachcoal.org
http://www.duke-energy.com/community/education.asp http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/
Suggested Grading:
1. Discussion Questions - participation (5 points possible) (make at least one comment or answer a questions during the discussion period). ________/5
2. Energy kids worksheet - Students will use some of this information for other assignments - no points assigned for this.
3. Coal to electricity sketch/explanation - (12 points possible) 7 terms included _______/7
Correct sequence of steps ______/5
4. "Expert" research - this will be informally assessed through student/teacher discussion. No formal grade given on this - information will be shared with other students and may be used for the final project.
5. Discovery Ed Simulations -
Plugging into the grid - (10 points) - one point per question ______/10 Power Up - (15 points) - one point per questions ______/15 How Big is Your Footprint - (15 points)
Summary of findings: _______/7 Data supports findings: _____/8
Final x 1/2 _______________/20
6. Final Project
3 2 1 0
Project is in proper form - 1 page info graphic, advertisement or poster -presentation contains color and is neat
Project is one page but is not an info graphic, ad or poster - missing color/neatness
Project is the proper format but too long or too short - missing color or neatness
Project explains in detail how electricity is made
Project leaves out one or two important steps
Project leaves out three or more steps
Project does not show how electricity is made Amount of electricity
made in the US is current
An amount is shown but it is 5 or more years old
Electricity amount is shown but is innacurate
No percentage shown
One place in the world where the source is used is accurate
Another country is shown but the source is not mentioned
2 Advantages of the source are shown
One advantage is shown No advantages are given 2 Disadvantages are shown One disadvantage is shown No disadvantages given Cost of electricity is accurately given
A cost is given but is outdated
No cost is given
A reasonable mention of feasibility in Southern Indiana is given and supported.
A mention is given but not supported
No mention of the feasibility is given
3 Sources used and cited
2 sources used and cited
1 source used and cited 0 sources
Total x 2 ________________/54
