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Resources

Use these online and print resources to help students launch their research.

 

 

Google Word Search Suggestions

  • Alternative energy
  • Clean energy
  • Conservation
  • Consumption
  • Efficiency
  • Electric Grid
  • Electricity
  • Electricity generation
  • Global warming
  • Green energy
  • Nonrenewables (coal, fossil fuel, natural gas, oil, petroleum, propane, uranium)
  • Renewables (biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar, wind)
  • Smart grid 
  • Sustainable
  • Transmission and distribution

Introducing Energy and Electricity

Electricity in the U.S.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=electricity_in_the_united_states-basics

Explores how electricity is generated, how it is transmitted to consumers, and the environmental impacts associated with the production and transmission of electricity.

Energy Sources

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=2

Explains nonrenewable and renewable energy sources, secondary energy sources (electricity and hydrogen), and recent energy statistics.

Smart Grid

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/power-grid.html

Explains how electricity is transmitted through the electric grid and introduces the smart grid.

Energy Basics

Energy Kids: U.S. Energy Information Administration

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/index.cfm
Explains the basics of energy, different energy sources (renewable, nonrenewable, and secondary), and the history of energy. Also contains a games/activities section and resources for educators.

Engineering for Change

https://www.engineeringforchange.org/solution/library/viewAll/Energy
Visit the Solutions Library (Energy) to learn how engineers around the world are designing new ways to generate and transmit electricity.
How Does Electricity Affect the Environment?
http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-and-you/affect/index.html
Explores how different ways of generating electricity affect the environment.

NEED Energy InfoBooks

http://need.org/Energy-Infobooks
Contains information about different energy resources and new technologies. Organized by subject and grade level, with “Intermediate” geared toward middle school.

Books

Alternative Energy Sources by Sally Morgan (Heinemann, 2009)
Discusses the pros and cons of fossil fuels and various alternative energy sources available today.

Energy for Keeps: Creating Clean Electricity from Renewable Sources by Marilyn Nemzer, Deborah Page, Anna Carter (Energy Education Group, 2010) Explains how electricity can be generated from various energy sources and introduces issues related to our current energy choices.

Innovative Energy Ideas

Energize Your Future
http://www.shell.us/home/content/usa/environment_society/education/student/
Explores how we use fossil fuels and renewable energy sources to meet the world’s energy needs.

Engineering Go for It: What’s New?
http://students.egfi-k12.org/
Contains articles about innovative engineering solutions for energy issues (use Search box to locate articles).

NSF: Green Revolution
http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/greenrevolution/index.jsp
Features videos of scientists and engineers who are working to develop and improve the use of clean energy sources, new fuels, and other energy-related technologies.

Sustainable Cities: Energy Case Studies
http://sustainablecities.dk/en/search-criterias/energy
Showcases what cities around the world are doing to address energy issues and create more sustainable living.

Careers

Energy Kid’s Career Corner
http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=activities_career_corner

Engineer Girl
http://www.engineergirl.org/

Engineer Your Life
http://engineeryourlife.org/

JETS: Explore Engineering
http://www.jets.org/explore/

Sloane Career Cornerstone Center
http://www.careercornerstone.org/paths/smid.htm

Field Trip Ideas

Visit organizations or interview people related to energy and electricity.

  • Electric power plant
  • Science center or museum
  • University or college that has experts in the field
  • Businesses–like a local utility, project management firms, consulting companies, or manufacturers of power equipment.

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