Sustainable Energy Resources
All of the information and links on this Sustainable Energy Resources list have been
taken from other websites; therefore, The JFP does not take any credit for the writing, products
or programming. We are continually developing this list, so if there are any resources that could
be added, please contact us at [email protected] with the Subject Line: Additional
Educational Resources.
*Please note that any text highlighted in blue will double as an online link to the website
provided*
Sustainable Energy
1. US Department of Energy
K-12 Lesson Plans & Activities http://www1.eere.energy.gov/education/lessonplans/default.aspx
Teach your students the importance of green energy while enhancing your required curriculum.
Here you'll find many creative lesson plans, labs, projects and other activities for grades K-12 on
energy-related topics. Incorporate them into your classroom. Prepare your students for a greener
future! Please see the find more resources including DOE's Energy Principles and Fundamental
Concepts framework to help inform your curriculum.
A Pre-Treatment Model for Ethanol Production Using a Colorimetric Analysis of Starch
Solutions (1 Activity) Grades: 9-12, Subject: Bioenergy
Alternative Energy Sources - An Interdisciplinary Module for Energy Education Grades: 58, Subject: Energy Basics, Wind Energy, Solar
An Exploration of Wind Energy & Wind Turbines Grades: 9-12, Subject: Wind Energy
Build a Pizza Box Solar Oven Grades: K-4, 5-8, 9-12 Subject: Solar
Building Buddies (6 lessons) Grades: K-4, 5-8 Subject: Energy Efficiency and Conservation,
Buildings, Energy Basics
Building the Basic PVC Wind Turbine Grades: 5-8, 9-12 Subject: Wind Energy
Cell Wall Chemistry of Biofuel Grades: 9-12, Subject: Bioenergy
Cell Wall Recipe: A Lesson on Biofuels Grades: 5-8, Subject: Bioenergy
Comparing Light Bulbs Grades: K-4, 5-8, Subject: Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Computer-Based Energy Projects (4 Activities) Grades: 5-8, 9-12 Subject: Energy Basics
Creating Biodiesel & Mitigating Waste Grades: 9-12, Subject: Bioenergy
Draft-O-Meter Grades: K-4, 5-8, Subject: Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Electrolysis of Water Grades: 5-8, Subject: Solar, Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
Energy Analysis Grades: 5-8, 9-12, Subject: Energy Basics
Energy Awareness Quiz Grades: 9-12, Subject: Energy Basics
Energy Basics Grades: K-4, 5-8, Subject: Energy Basics
Energy Conservation Grades: K-4, 5-8, Subject: Energy Choices and Society , Energy
Efficiency and Conservation
Energy Conservation Contract (4 activities) Grades: K-4, 5-8, 9-12, Subject: Energy Efficiency
and Conservation, Energy Choices and Society
Energy Detectives (3 Activities) Grades: 5-8, Subject: Energy Basics
Energy Efficiency Ambassadors (5-8) Grades: 5-8, Subject: Energy Efficiency and
Conservation
Energy Efficiency Ambassadors (9-12) Grades: 9-12, Subject: Energy Efficiency and
Conservation
Efficiency at Home - An Interdisciplinary Module for Energy Education Grades: 5-8, Subject:
Energy Basics, Energy Efficiency and Conservation , Buildings
Energy Efficiency in the Home Grades: 5-8, Subject: Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Energy Enigma Grades: 5-8, 9-12, Subject: Bioenergy, Geothermal , Solar , Wind Energy ,
Water , Energy Choices and Society
Energy Expos Grades: K-4, 5-8, 9-12 Subject: Bioenergy , Buildings , Energy Basics , Energy
Efficiency and Conservation , Hydrogen and Fuel Cells , Solar , Vehicles , Water , Wind Energy,
Weatherization , Energy Choices and Society
Energy for Keeps: Electricity and Renewable Energy Teacher Information Grades: 58, Subject: Energy Basics
Energy From the Sun (10 activities) Grades: 5-8, Subject: Solar
Energy from The Wind (9 activities) Grades: 5-8, Subject: Wind Energy, Energy Choices and
Society
Energy House Grades: K-4, 5-8, Subject: Buildings, Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Energy in Today's Global Society Grades: 9-12, Subject: Energy Basics
Energy Management Grades: K-4, 5-8, Subject: Energy Basics, Energy Choices and Society,
Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Energy of Moving Water (11 Activities) Grades: 5-8, Subject: Energy Basics, Water
Energy Production Grades: K-4, 5-8, Subject: Energy Choices and Society, Geothermal, Solar,
Water, Wind Energy
Energy Savings Activities—Lighting Grades: 5-8, Subject: Energy Efficiency and
Conservation
Energy Transfer Grades: 9-12, Subject: Energy Basics
Energy Transmission Grades: K-4, 5-8, Subject: Energy Choices and Society, Energy
Efficiency and Conservation
Energy Walkabout Grades: 9-12, Subject: Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Exploring Hydroelectricity (9 activities) Grades: 9-12, Subject: Energy Basics, Energy
Efficiency and Conservation, Water
Exploring Photovoltaics (9 investigations) Grades: 9-12 Subject: Solar
Exploring Wind Energy (12 activities) Grades: 9-12, Subject: Energy Basics, Energy
Efficiency and Conservation, Wind Energy
Fun with the Sun - Teacher's Activity Guide for Elementary Grades K-2 Grades: K-4 Subject:
Energy Basics, Wind Energy, Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Gaining Energy Perspective Grades: 5-8, Subject: Energy Choices and Society
Geothermal Energy (5 Activities) Grades: 5-8, Subject: Geothermal
Geothermal Energy: A Geothermal Teacher Guide for Grades 9-12 Grades: 9-12, Subject:
Geothermal
Get Current: Switch on Clean Energy Activity Book Grades: K-4, 5-8, 9-12, Subject: Energy
Basics
Get Current: Switch on Clean Energy Coloring Book Grades: K-4, Subject: Energy Basics
Getting Energized Grades: 5-8, Subject: Energy Basics, Energy Choices and Society, Energy
Efficiency and Conservation
Great Energy Debate Grades: 5-8, 9-12 Subject: Bioenergy, Geothermal, Hydrogen and Fuel
Cells, Solar, Water, Wind Energy, Energy Choices and Society
Green Fuel Grades: 9-12, Subject: Solar
H2 Educate (9 activities) Grades: 5-8, 9-12, Subject: Energy Basics, Hydrogen and Fuel Cells,
Energy Choices and Society
How Big Is Your Footprint? Grades: 5-8, 9-12 Subject: Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Hybrid Vehicles: Cut Pollution & Save Money Grades: 5-8 Subject: Vehicles
Intermediate Energy Infobook and Intermediate Infobook Activities (29 Activities) Grades: 5-8,
Subject: Energy Basics
Investigating and Using Biomass Gases Grades: 9-12, Subject: Bioenergy
Learning and Conserving (10 activities) Grades: 5-8, 9-12 Subject: Energy Basics, Energy
Efficiency and Conservation, Energy Choices and Society
Life With Energy Grades: K-4 Subject: Energy Basics
Making a Solar Oven Grades: 5-8 Subject: Solar
Making Energy Personal Grades: 5-8, Subject: Energy Choices and Society, Energy Efficiency
and Conservation
Material and Chemical Processing (Concentrated Solar) (4 Activities) Grades: 5-8 Subject:
Solar
Mini Rockets Grades: 9-12, Subject: Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
Modeling the Process of Mining Silicon Through a Single Displacement/Redox Reaction
Grades: 9-12, Subject: Solar
Monitoring and Mentoring Grades: K-4, 5-8 Subject: Energy Basics, Energy Efficiency and
Conservation, Energy Choices and Society
'Nano'tubes, Surface Area & NanoSolar Cells Grades: 9-12 Subject: Solar
Ocean Power (4 Activities) Grades: 5-8, Subject: Water
PBS: Wind Power for Educators Grades: 5-8, 9-12 Subject: Wind Energy
Photosynthesis and Biomass Growth (7 Activities) Grades: 9-12, Subject: Bioenergy
Photovoltaics and Solar Energy (2 Activities) Grades: 5-8, Subject: Solar
Plants in Your Gas Tank: From Photosynthesis to Ethanol Grades: 5-8, 9-12 Subject:
Bioenergy
Power Metering Project Grades: 9-12, Subject: Energy Basics
Power to the Plug: An Introduction to Energy, Electricity, Consumption, and Efficiency
Grades: K-4, 5-8, 9-12 Subject: Bioenergy, Geothermal, Water, Solar, Wind Energy
Powering the Future Grades: 5-8, Subject: Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Primary Science of Energy Teacher and Student Guides (42 Activities) Grades: K-4, Subject:
Energy Basics
Protect Your Climate Curriculum and Training Grades: K-4, 5-8, Subject: Energy Basics
Rain Machine (Solar Still) Grades: K-4 Subject: Solar
Reaction Rates and Catalysts in Ethanol Production (1 Activity) Grades: 5-8, 9-12 Subject:
Bioenergy
Reducing Energy Loss Grades: 5-8, Subject: Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Renewable Energy Activities: Choices for Tomorrow Grades: 5-8 Subject: Bioenergy, Wind
Energy, Solar, Energy Basics, Water
Renewable Energy Plants in Your Gas Tank: From Photosynthesis to Ethanol (4 Activities)
Grades: 5-8, 9-12 Subject: Bioenergy
Research Projects in Renewable Energy for High School Students Grades: 9-12 Subject:
Bioenergy, Wind Energy, Solar
Saving Energy at Home and School (11 lessons) Grades: K-4, 5-8, 9-12 Subject: Energy
Efficiency and Conservation, Buildings
Scale Models and Wind Turbines Grades: 5-8, 9-12 Subject: Wind Energy
Secondary Energy Infobook and Secondary Infobook Activities (19 Activities) Grades: 9-12,
Subject: Energy Basics
See the Wind Grades: 5-8, 9-12 Subject: Wind Energy
Solar Cell Simulation Grades: K-4 Subject: Solar
Summer Camp 2050 Grades: 9-12, Subject: Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Survival Still Grades: 9-12 Subject: Solar
Take the Energy Action Challenge Grades: 9-12, Subject: Energy Efficiency and Conservation
The BEAM Project: Building Efficient Architectural Models Grades: 9-12 Subject: Buildings,
Energy Efficiency and Conservation
The Biofuel Project: Creating Bio-diesel Grades: 9-12 Subject: Bioenergy
The Planet Janitor© Coloring Book Grades: K-4 Subject: Solar
The Sun and Its Energy (11 activities) Grades: K-4 Subject: Solar
Thermodynamics Teacher and Student Guides (6 Activities) Grades: 5-8, 9-12 Subject: Energy
Basics
Transportation Fuels: The Future is Today (6 Activities) Grades: 5-8, 9-12 Subject: Hydrogen
and Fuel Cells, Bioenergy, Vehicles
Understanding Earth's Energy Sources Grades: 9-12 Subject: Wind Energy, Hydrogen and Fuel
Cells, Solar, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Vehicles
Utilizing Photovoltaic Cells and Systems (9 Activities) Grades: 5-8 Subject: Solar
Water and Energy (18 activities) Grades: K-4 Subject: Energy Basics, Water
Watt Does It Cost To Use It? Grades: 5-8, 9-12 Subject: Energy Efficiency and Conservation
What Does the Sun Give Us? (5 Activities) Grades: 5-8, 9-12 Subject: Solar
What Makes A Home 'Energy Efficient'? Grades: 9-12 Subject: Energy Efficiency and
Conservation, Buildings
What's Cooking Grades: K-4 Subject: Solar
Wind is Energy (17 activities) Grades: K-4 Subject: Energy Basics, Wind Energy
Wind Turbine Blade Design Grades: 5-8, 9-12 Subject: Wind Energy
Wonders of the Sun (8 activities) Grades: K-4, 5-8 Subject: Solar
Wonders of Water (14 activities) Grades: K-4, 5-8 Subject: Energy Basics, Water
Wonders of Wind (10 Activities) Grades: K-4, 5-8 Subject: Energy Basics, Wind Energy
Wind Energy Curricula and Teaching Materials
This page provides a list of wind energy curricula and teaching materials for elementary, middle
school, and high school students that can bring wind energy into the classroom, even for students
at schools without a wind turbine installation.
4-H Group Wind Curriculum
●
Developed The Power of the Wind, which consists of one Youth Guide and one
Facilitator's Guide. The activities involve young people in the engineering design
process as they learn about the wind and its uses. The site also offers videos.
Boise State University
●
Compiled a list of resources for educators, including lesson plans created using the
Idaho State and Common Core Standards.
California Energy Commission
●
Developed a set of educational materials called "Energy Quest" that includes the
following:
○ Energy Story: Wind Energy
○ Science Project: Building a Wind Gauge
○ Science Project: Make an Anemometer (a device to measure wind speed)
Danish Wind Industry Association
●
Produced "Wind with Miller," a resource for young students that provides
information in short bits, uses interactive tools (calculators, sliding scales, dropdown lists), and presents information with colorful, moving diagrams. Older students
can learn about wind energy careers and education opportunities specific to the
Danish wind industry.
Educators for the Environment
●
Produced an online handbook, Energy for Keeps that includes a wind energy section.
The Futures Channel
●
Produced The Wind Business, a video about the Maple Ridge Wind Farm in New
York. The video introduces students to three engineers who use everything from
algebra to physics and problem solving to statistics to provide clean, renewable
energy. It is accompanied by a classroom activity.
GreenLearning Canada
●
Provides background information on wind, hands-on learning activities, teacher
materials, resources, and links.
KidWind Project
●
Provides lessons and activities for middle-level students. Find background material,
lessons and experiments, PowerPoint lectures, and more. The KidWind organization
develops these materials on an ongoing basis, tying the curricula to standard testing
protocols.
● Building out from the curricula developed by KidWInd, WindWise takes a larger
modular approach to wind energy education focused primarily for secondary
students. The curricula modules cover many different aspects from resource
assessment to environmental impacts.
Laurentian Environmental Learning Center
●
Developed curriculum for students utilizing a partnership with the Minnesota
Department of Commerce, Great River Energy, and Minnesota Power. Curriculum
contains an introduction to energy, along with wind energy activities.
Mortenson Construction
●
Developed a children's book on wind power to encourage interest in construction and
in science. The website also offers coloring pages, a vocabulary quiz, crossword
puzzles, word searches, and flash cards.
National Energy Education Development Project
●
Provides K-12 wind curriculum. Lessons are correlated to state standards and include
hands-on curriculum, interdisciplinary activities, and data-based lessons.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
● Offers student resources on wind energy.
PBS
●
Offers wind curricula lesson plans and "Blowin' in the Wind," a SciGirls episode.
Texas Railroad Commission
● Offers wind energy lesson plans.
TEDEd
●
Provides an animation called "A Guide to the Energy of the Earth."
University of Northern Iowa
● Offers wind kits, propeller kits, and wind meters for middle-school kids.
U.S. Department of Energy
● EERE provides resources for learning about energy literacy principles.
U.S. Energy Information Agency
● Produced Energy Kids, a website that provides information and classroom activities
on all energy technologies, including wind energy, for kids.
2. Green Learning – Adventures in renewable energy technology
Series of lesson plans for teachers http://greenlearning.ca/programs/re-energy#teachingMaterials
Topics include:
● Wind energy
● Solar heat and electricity
● Water power
● Biogas
● Renewable energy
3. Earth Echo *needs signup/login*
Earth Echo International Educator Resources are a collection of videos, lesson plans, and other
materials designed to support high quality classroom experiences. Many of the resources are
designed to satisfy Common Core and Next Generation Science standards,
How Electricity is Generated – students explore the impact of using renewable vs non-renewable
resources to produce electricity
● Middle school lesson plan
● Middle school worksheet
● High school lesson plan
● High school worksheet
4. Planet Friendly
http://www.planetfriendly.net/energy.html
Introductory website to sustainable energy in Canada and the world. The links contain
information for homeowners, students, teachers, activists, and business people
Topics include:
1. Conserve energy
2. Buy green electricity
3. Start a community green energy project
4. Solar power
5. Wind power
6. Other forms of renewable energy
7. Homemade power
8. Green energy vs smog, climate change, radiation
9. Climate change
10. What’s wrong with oil?
11. What’s wrong with nuclear?
12. Events, workshops, conferences
5. Documentary – Carbon Nation
In our travels, we filmed Bay Area radicals, utility CEOs, airlines execs and wonky economists –
and they all agree that using as little energy as possible and making clean energy are important
goals; whether for solutions to climate change, national or energy security or public health. I
wanted to make a big-tent film where folks of all political stripes could find common ground Peter Byck
6. Documentary – Who Killed The Electric Car?
Structured as a documentary murder mystery, with each suspect in the EV1's "murder" being
investigated and pegged with a motive, Who Killed the Electric Car? makes no bones about the
fact that something stinks in the story of the sudden demise of the car that came by the too-fitting
name of The Impact. And it smells a lot like gasoline.
7. Green Learning – Adventures in renewable energy technology
Series of lesson plans for teachers http://greenlearning.ca/programs/re-energy#teachingMaterials
Topics include:
● Wind energy
● Solar heat and electricity
● Water power
● Biogas
● Renewable energy
8. Earth Echo *needs signup/login*
Earth Echo International Educator Resources are a collection of videos, lesson plans, and other
materials designed to support high quality classroom experiences. Many of the resources are
designed to satisfy Common Core and Next Generation Science standards,
How Electricity is Generated – students explore the impact of using renewable vs non-renewable
resources to produce electricity
● Middle school lesson plan
● Middle school worksheet
● High school lesson plan
● High school worksheet
9. Planet Friendly
http://www.planetfriendly.net/energy.html
Introductory website to sustainable energy in Canada and the world. The links contain
information for homeowners, students, teachers, activists, and business people
Topics include:
1. Conserve energy
2. Buy green electricity
3. Start a community green energy project
4. Solar power
5. Wind power
6. Other forms of renewable energy
7. Homemade power
8. Green energy vs smog, climate change, radiation
9. Climate change
10. What’s wrong with oil?
11. What’s wrong with nuclear?
12. Events, workshops, conferences
10. Documentary – Carbon Nation
In our travels, we filmed Bay Area radicals, utility CEOs, airlines execs and wonky economists –
and they all agree that using as little energy as possible and making clean energy are important
goals; whether for solutions to climate change, national or energy security or public health. I
wanted to make a big-tent film where folks of all political stripes could find common ground Peter Byck
11. Documentary – Who Killed The Electric Car?
Structured as a documentary murder mystery, with each suspect in the EV1's "murder" being
investigated and pegged with a motive, Who Killed the Electric Car? makes no bones about the
fact that something stinks in the story of the sudden demise of the car that came by the too-fitting
name of The Impact. And it smells a lot like gasoline.
12. The New Energy Industry
https://www.thenewenergyindustry.com/learning-network/
We help people learn about the most advanced form of Clean Energy Technology on the planet
today! Our Mission is to spotlight and empower the individuals and organizations who are
pioneering Magrav Technology. Magnetic and Gravitational field technology, using magnetic
and gravitational fields as means of Lift, Drive and Energy Generation. Our CORE Mission Is
To: Resolve the global energy crisis… Stop pollution and climate change… Give people a reason
to be excited about the future!
13. TVA Kids
http://www.tvakids.com/teachers/resources.htm
The Renewable Energy Resources curriculum is a classroom tool developed by TVA’s Public
Power Institute. Its purpose is to educate children in the science and ecology of renewable
energy. Learning about renewable energy resources is appropriate for any grade level. The
material has been divided into three levels: elementary (grades 3-5), middle (grades 6-8), and
high school (grades 9-12). You can use this material for lesson plans, demonstrations, hands-on
and enrichment activities, and science fair projects.
14. KidWind
http://www.kidwind.org/
Here at KidWind, we develop programs and resources to foster a generation of responsibly
informed thinkers and involved doers for a brighter energy future. Help spread this impact by
joining the Future of Renewables Initiative today.
15. Solar Energy International
http://www.solarenergy.org/solar-in-the-schools/
Today’s youth need to understand energy in order to wisely power their homes, their cars and
their careers. The Solar In the Schools outreach program is devoted to teaching the growing
importance of energy – both how it is used and where it is sourced. Our hands-on renewable
energy education approach not only teaches these vital concepts, it instills precious hope for the
future. Teacher Training Workshops, School Presentations, Free Renewable Energy Online
Course, Curriculum Resources, Climate Change, Energy Conservation and Audits, Solar and
Wind Kits and Products, Solar Cooking, Teacher Grant Opportunities, and Schools Going Green
resources.
16. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
http://energy.gov/education-toolbox/search?f[0]=bundle%3Adownload
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) accelerates development and
facilitates deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and market-based
solutions that strengthen U.S. energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality.
17. National Geographic
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/alternative-energy
Multiple educational videos on renewable and alternative energy resources and advancements.