Teachers are some of the busiest people in the world. Planning, teaching, and filling out paperwork leave little time to find resources. Since the approved curriculum at most schools provides only the basic mention of green energy technology and advances, these ideas are often left by the wayside. This is unacceptable. Green energy education for children is imperative to the future security of our planet. Here are some resources that can help busy educators implement green energy education in the classroom.
* The website Re Energy has hands-on experiments for older students to explore. Using these resources, students can build a solar oven, wind turbine, hydrogenerator, or a biogas generator. While completing projects, students are getting experience with fundamental principals of chemistry, biology, and physics. This is a wonderful resource for high school students.
* Solar Energy International is another great site that has a wealth of information for students of all ages. There are many activities and links that can help children develop an interest in green energy technology, including projects to explore energy consumption and estimated carbon footprint.
* At Going Green NY, teachers can find printable lesson plans and links to a plethora of useful classroom resources. All for free!
* One favorite, Energy Classroom, is jam-packed with lessons, information, vocabulary, and tips for implementing green energy education in your classroom. There is even a virtual power plant tour that shows students every step in the electricity production process, from coal to actual energy. This is a great way for students to gain a basic understanding of how most of our current energy is produced.
* Another wonderful site is Xcel Energy e-Smart. The teacher's section has free books with standards-based lessons and puzzles related to green energy. The site also provides free downloadable teacher's guides along with pre- and post-tests for each book.
* Infinite Power has many in-depth units for students in grades K-12. Each unit contains multiple lesson plans, worksheets, and other resources available for free download. Each unit also contains a curriculum guide to help you align the lessons with curriculum standards.
*One of the best overall lesson plan resources is the Department of Energy's teacher site at. This site has free lesson plans for all grade levels. Topics available are: biomass, buildings, energy basics, energy efficiency and conservation, geothermal, hydrogen and fuel cells, hydropower, solar, vehicles, and wind energy. An easy-to-use search enables you to only look at the plans that fit your desired topic and grade level. All materials are provided in convenient PDF format.
This is merely a sampling of the wonderful resources available to educators for teaching green energy in the classroom. Many of the lessons and activities are hands-on and are sure to encourage and stimulate your students. Plus, you get the payoff of knowing you are giving them a complete education, including tools they will need to take care of their world.
