- Grade Focus
- Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7
- Age Level
- 9, 10, 11, 12
- Subject
- Science
- Technology Integration Activity
- Digital Ethics, Online Safety, Video Productions
Introduction
Students will learn more about nonrenewable and renewable energy resources. They will work in groups to research one form of renewable energy using the Internet. Each group will develop a PowerPoint presentation to highlight strengths of this energy resource. Using the PowerPoint presentation, they will speak before the "Energy Commission" to persuade the commission to fund more research for their form of renewable energy.
Prerequisite Experience
Students should be able to conduct research online and use a word processor.
They will use a spreadsheet, like Excel, to organize data.
Prior PowerPoint or other presentation software tool experience would be helpful.
Experience with image editing software (i.e. Photoshop or Paint) and the ability to capture images from the computer will also be helpful.
Teacher Prep Time
Review the identified Web resources in Explore and Explain and these training videos from Nortel LearniT
- Discovering the Internet, http://nortellearnit.org/technology/Discovering_the_Internet/
- Imaging, http://nortellearnit.org/technology/Imaging/
- PowerPoint, http://www.nortellearnit.org/DiscoveriT.aspx.
Lesson Plan Details
Engage
What do the terms "renewable" and "nonrenewable" mean? Create a list of materials and substances that fit each category. Do we live in a "renewable" or "nonrenewable" world? Does "recyclable" mean the same thing as "renewable?"
Where would you place these energy resources in your list?
- Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
- Nuclear
- Biomass
- Natural Gas
- Solar
- Wind
- Coal
- Geothermal
- Water (Hydropower)
- Oil
Energy is in everything and used to do everything. At this time, we get most of our energy from nonrenewable sources.
What problems does this cause?
Perhaps you can help solve some of these problems. You are about to become an "expert" on one form of renewable energy. You will try to persuade the "Energy Commission" to fund further research into the use of your renewable energy source. Based upon your research and presentation, the "Energy Commission" will determine which resources to fund for our future.