| Fundamentals of Energy includes lessons in the properties of energy, energy sources and electric use. Some lessons also share a focus on Climate Change.
|
| Cat-Traption |
| Cat-Traption explores different forms of energy and transitions between those forms. The lesson ideas link an online animation with worksheets and activities to help students understand energy forms. |
| Alternating and Direct Current |
| This lesson links to an online Physics applet that allows students to simulate a generator's output of alternating or direct current |
| Introductions to Energy Use |
| Introductions to Energy Use can be used as an introduction to different kinds of energy units, including energy fuel sources, climate change related to energy use, and energy efficiency studies. The introductions can also be used to illustrate to students the historical perspective of energy use over time in the Unite States. |
| Discovering Ohm's Law |
| Using a computer model of a circuit board, the students will explore the relationship of resistance, voltage and current in series and parallel circuits. They will discover Ohm's Law by constructing series circuits with one resistor and putting the resultant resistance, current and voltage into a worksheet. |
| How Electricity is Generated |
| This lesson provides two student assignments designed to assist in learning the steps of electric power generation and the energy transformations involved in each of those steps. |
| Law of Radioactive Decay |
| This lesson links to an online Physics applet that allows students to simulate the decay of a radioactive isotope. |
| Compact Fluorescent Cost-Benefit Analysis |
| The Compact Fluorescent lesson provides teachers and students with the means to connect energy use consequences and climate change causes in a “take home message.” Through examining home energy use, calculating potential savings and pollution caused by the generation of electricity, students can internalize each of these issues and share information with their families. |
| Putting Energy in Perspective |
| Putting Energy in Perspective was a part of the larger Introductions to Energy Use lesson.It can be used to illustrate to students the historical perspective of energy use over time in the United States, as well as presenting the possible courses that future energy use may offer. |
| There's a Thief in my Kitchen |
| That ceiling light may be stealing money from your family, heating up the room in summer and adding to greenhouse gases. This activity allows students to compare energy used by pairs of incandescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs. Some of the energy used by light bulbs is converted to heat energy, since this is not the intended use; this heat energy is considered waste.
|
| Stabilization Wedges Game |
| This lesson and game was created to emphasize the need for early action in order to find solutions to the greenhouse gas problem. This game introduces the concept that no single action will be sufficient and only through a combination of many actions will a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide over the next 50 years be avoided.
Adapted from: Stabilization Wedges: A Concept and Game |
| The Carbon Cycle Game |
| By rolling a die, students will simulate a molecule of carbon's movement throughout various sinks and sources within the carbon cycle |
| Siting a Power Plant |
| Siting a Power Plant introduces the decision making process behind locating a power plant and choosing the type of fuel the plant should use. In this activity, students will determine if their town would be suitable for the placement of a new 200 MW electric generating power plant and the factors associated with making this decision. |
| Your Source of Energy |
| The first part of this activity allows students to explore the role the sun plays in proving much of the earth's energy, connecting the energy they use with their daily lives. The second part asks students to locate sites of electric generation in Connecticut. Through a data activity with an Energy Information Administration (EIA) data sheet student will better understand Connecticut's energy sources, generation locations, and issues of plant age and size affect electric generation in the state. |
| How does the electricity I use compare to the national average? |
| The impact electricity has on air emissions is determined by the fuel mix used to generate the electricity. The fuel mix varies according to location and fuel availability. Determin the fuel mix of the electricity you use with an EPA interactive site, and compare that to the fuel mix and air emissions in other parts of the country, and the nation's average. |
| Nuclear Energy |
| Nuclear Energy is an important source of energy, not only Connecticut, but the United States. The objective of this lesson is to introduce students to the concept of nuclear energy. Students will be able to describe how nuclear energy is generated through a nuclear chain reaction, be able to identify the process to convert nuclear energy to electricity, identify the physical barriers that protect us from an accidental release of nuclear material from the power plant, and discuss the governmental role of regulating the nuclear energy industry. This lesson is a great complement to the Nuclear Waste Disposal Lesson and the Radioactive Decay Lesson. |
| Nuclear Waste Disposal |
| Nuclear Energy is an important source of energy for not only Connecticut, but the United States. The objective of this lesson is to help students understand how and where nuclear waste is stored and plans for the future. At the end of this lesson students will be able to identify the different types and sources of nuclear waste and understand the volume of the waste that exists in the United States. Students will understand how spent nuclear fuel is created and be able to describe the current handling and disposal methods practiced and identify the important safety characteristics of a disposal facility. This lesson is a great complement to the Nuclear Energy in Connecticut Lesson and Radioactive Decay Lesson. |
| Energy in the 9.3 Standard Unit |
| This unit plan provides resources and a format for teachers to comprehensively address the 9.3 Connecticut Science Standard:
“Various sources of energy are used by humans and all have advantages and disadvantages.”
The unit is set up in a layered curriculum that may be used as a whole or in parts.
The comprehensive unit provides base knowledge activities at the “C Level”, and growth activities at the “B Level” and “A Level”.
|
