Energy Efficiency - Lighting

Kill-A-Watt_Meter
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
efficiency
electricity
Power
lumens
Watts
equivalent
LED (light emitting diode) light
CFL (compact fluorescent light)
incandescent light
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will understand what energy efficiency means, and learn how to choose energy efficient light bulbs. Students will determine which lightbulbs are the most efficient. Students will understand how energy efficiency relates to energy generation and climate change.

In this lesson, students will learn how to read light bulb packaging (lighting facts) and do a whole class experiment comparing a 60-watt incandescent to an equivalent CFL and an LED bulb. This experiment will be conducted using a kil-o-watt meter, engaging students with electricity content such related to power and energy usage in the home.  ... View full description >>

Non-renewable Energy/Global Warming/Pollution

Pollution
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
kinetic
potential
renewable
non-renewable
fossil fuels
global warming
climate change
solar energy
wind energy
hydroelectric power
sources of energy
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will explore why there is a need for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Students will determine how non-renewable and renewable energy are a part of our lives. Students will understand how the greenhouse effect and nonrenewable energy sources relate to climate change.

NOTE: THIS LESSON RELIES ON EPA CLIMATE CHANGE RESOURCES THAT ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. STUDENTENERGY.ORG PROVIDES A POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE RESOURCE.

This lesson will introduce the students to worldwide problems that we have with energy. (91% of the energy we use is non-renewable, 9% of the energy we use is renewable).  Students will explore... View full description >>

Solar Ovens: Frontload Vocab. And Preview Standards

Checklist
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
kinetic
potential
renewable
non-renewable
fossil fuels
global warming
climate change
solar energy
wind energy
hydroelectric power
sources of energy
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will preview vocabulary and standards in order to better comprehend future lessons.

Vocabulary and standards will be reviewed throughout all of the lessons, but this day is dedicated to front loading the vocabulary and previewing the standards.  Students will use their energy workbook to keep track of vocabulary from this point forward through the rest of the unit. View full description >>

What is Energy? Where does it come from?

Sources of Energy
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
energy transformation
potential energy
kinetic energy
chemical
nuclear
elastic
gravitational
electric
light
heat
sound
motion
energy sources
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will obtain basic background information on energy. Students will use their background knowledge to determine what different examples of energy are.

Students will be introduced to the scientific meaning of energy and complete a lesson on forms of energy vs. sources of energy.  They will learn that most of the energy they use comes from fossil fuels.  (Petroleum 35%, Natural Gas 27%, Coal 18%=82%)

Engagement Teaser:  The teacher will let the students know that they... View full description >>

Our Place in Space: Cosmic Ray Detector

Sun in Space
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
3-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
radiation
muons
ultraviolet (UV)
Energy
work
light
atmosphere
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Learning Goal(s):

• Students will discuss how energy from the sun is transmitted in a variety of forms that perform different amounts of work. • Students will identify multiple pieces of evidence that demonstrate energy being transmitted from the sun.

The students will be introduced to solar radiation with an activity centered on using a

... View full description >>

Our Place in Space: Cosmic Rays

Sun in Space
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
3-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
math
solar power
visible light
ultraviolet (UV)
infrared (IR)
Energy
Watt
atmospheric conditions
Estimated Activity Length:
3 hours
Learning Goal(s):

Students will learn how the sun affects their school by measuring the temperature at different locations around the building in the fall, winter, and spring. They will learn how to measure solar energy and look for trends in temperature and solar power over the year. These trends will then be used to investigate how energy reaches Earth from the Sun.

NOTE: SUN PHOTOMETER SUMULATOR AT CAS.HAMPTONU.EDU SEEMS TO BE NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

Using a map of school buildings, students will pick four areas to monitor over the year using wireless weather

... View full description >>

Passive Solar Water Heating: Collecting and Reporting Data, Making Recommendations

Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Energy
solar energy generation
renewable and nonrenewable energy
electricity
light
energy transformation
photovoltaic
analysis
recommendations
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour 30 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will identify variables related to the sun heating water such as time of exposure, air temperature, and color of container. Student groups will design and build solar water heater containers using five-gallon water jugs. Students will design containers using color, cover material, and surround as variables. Students will predict which container and location will collect the most heat from the sun.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):

Students will explore ways that the sun can be used to heat water and the variables involved in the efficiency of using the sun to heat water for use in homes or businesses. They will determine this through

... View full description >>

Setting Up the Experiment - Solar Water Heating

Solar Water Heating Experiment
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Energy
solar energy generation
renewable and nonrenewable energy
electricity
light
energy transformation
photovoltaic
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will use their previous learning about observation and solar power to set up an experiment to determine the amount of heat that can be collected in water containers from the sun. Students will determine three variables that affect the jug’s absorption and trapping of energy from the sun. Students will take data measurements from these set ups in order to make evidence-based conclusions from the experiment.

Students will set up the experiment that they will use to determine the amount of energy from the sun that can be used to heat water and the variables that can help the exchange of heat most effectively. They

... View full description >>

Observing and Keeping Records

Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Energy
solar energy generation
renewable and nonrenewable energy
electricity
light
energy transformation
photovoltaic
observations
conclusions
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will review scientific observations methods learned earlier and the application of those methods for the solar energy unit. Students will practice observations and data recording. Students will explain the importance of selecting useful variables from which they can collect data. Students will be prepared to implement an experiment in the classroom that they can draw conclusions from.

Students will review basic scientific observation methods and the importance of keeping and reporting accurate observations. Teacher will discuss with students the different types of variables that they can

... View full description >>

Home Energy Use

Kill-a-Watt Meter
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Energy
home energy usage
energy conservation
electricity
energy transformations
electrical power
Watt
Watt-hour
voltage
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will make observations and record about the amount of energy used by various appliances in their home. Students will make conclusions about which items in their home are generating the most energy. Students will make conclusions about methods in which they can reduce the energy used in their homes.

This lesson is meant to provide students the opportunity to learn about the power usage of items in their home that they are already curious about. Students will learn to use a Watt meter to measure the

... View full description >>