Super STAAR

Supporting Lessons

Alternative Energy Sources-An Interdisciplinary Module for Energy Education: Earth Science Department at the University of Northern Iowa (PDF) - Several activities focused on renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. See pages 12- 16. Includes background information on p. 5-11.

Alternative Energy Sources-An Interdisciplinary Module for Energy Education
Earth Science Department at the University of Northern Iowa, www.uni.edu/earth

Elaboration Lessons and Extensions

Renewable Energy and Sustainability: Texas State Energy Conservation Office (PDF) - Students are introduced to the concept of renewable energy and investigate/discuss new ways of generating energy to help our planet become environmentally healthy.

Renewable Energy and Sustainability
Texas State Energy Conservation Office, www.infinitepower.org

Solar House: The Need Project (PDF) - Build a cardboard house with a photovoltaic (PV) cell to change radiant energy into electricity and a solar collector that absorbs radiant energy and transforms it into heat. (Scroll to page 12 for the activity.)

Solar House
The NEED Project, www.need.org

Assessment Ideas

Have students write persuasive newspaper editorials promoting the form of alternative energy they believe would be most appropriate for widespread use in the community. Students should defend their choices by including information learned through all the lessons on alternative energy resources.

As a possible second step, hold a mock town hall meeting in which students advocate for their chosen energy sources. Structure the activity to suit the needs of your class. It could be a simple discussion, or an assignment for which students make posters and flyers, and dress in costume. In any case, have students discuss and debate various alternative energy sources. Conclude by holding a class vote to determine which type of alternative energy the town will adopt.

Literature Connections

Hydroelectric Power. Sherman, Josepha (ISBN: 0-7368-2472-3)

Water: Simple Experiments for Young Scientists. White, Larry (ISBN: 0-761-30090-2)

The Kids’ Solar Energy Book. Spetgang, Tilly and Wells, Malcolm (ISBN-10: 0982306415)

Wind Power: (Energy for Today). Benduhn, Tea (ISBN-10: 0836893646)

Have Fries, Will Travel! The Adventures of a Veggie-Powered Car & Eco-Rap Star. Hempel, Linda K. (ISBN-10: 0865715491)

A Refreshing Look at Renewable Energy with Max Axiom, Super Scientist. Krohn, Katherine E. (ISBN-10: 1429639024)