Energy flows
https://www.need.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Energy-Flows.pdf
https://www.need.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Energy-Flows.pdf
NEED Project - Putting Energy into Education
Activity takes one to two 45-minute class periods. Additional materials necessary.
Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»
See how this Activity supports the Next Generation Science Standards»
Grade Level
Activity is written for middle school students, but can be modified for younger high school students or high school inclusion/special education class.
Topics
Climate Literacy
This Activity builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.
Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.
Energy Literacy
This Activity builds on the following concepts of Energy Literacy.
Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.
- Energy is a physical quantity
- Various sources of energy are used to power human activities
- Physical processes on Earth are the result of energy flow
Excellence in Environmental Education Guidelines
2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.1 The Earth as a Physical System:B) Changes in matter
Other materials addressing:
B) Changes in matter.
Other materials addressing:
B) Changes in matter.
2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.1 The Earth as a Physical System:C) Energy
Other materials addressing:
C) Energy.
Other materials addressing:
C) Energy.
2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.2 The Living Environment:C) Systems and connections
Other materials addressing:
C) Systems and connections.
Other materials addressing:
C) Systems and connections.
2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.2 The Living Environment:D) Flow of matter and energy
Other materials addressing:
D) Flow of matter and energy.
Other materials addressing:
D) Flow of matter and energy.
2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.4 Environment and Society:A) Human/environment interactions
Other materials addressing:
A) Human/environment interactions.
Other materials addressing:
A) Human/environment interactions.
Notes From Our Reviewers
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Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy |
Technical Details
Teaching Tips
- The card activity can be done kinesthetically or also in small groups at a desk or table. The order of the cards should reflect real-world connections.
- Coal-fired power plants are not the only source of electricity generation in the U.S. (only 33% in 2015 and shrinking); find out what the primary source of electricity generation is your state or county and modify the activity.
About the Content
- Students learn about forms of potential and kinetic energy, differentiate between energy flows in a battery-powered flashlight and a hand-generated flashlight, learn about the energy transformations in fusion, photosynthesis, coal formation, and a coal-fired power plant, and learn about the similarities between the formation of fossil fuels.
- The content and connections are simplified but correct.
