* Also U.N. Sustainable Development Goal #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities Read More
Days to Celebrate in January:
1st: New Year’s Day – Resolve to go GREEN!
Guides and Curricula
U.N 24/7 Carbon Free Energy Compact
National Grid energy resources, games, activities, free materials for classrooms.
U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon
Sustainable America’s Waste Less at Home Toolkit
Energy Efficiency in K-12 Schools Guide
This guide from the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society is extremely well researched and contains all you need to know to install renewable energy at your school. Highly Recommended!
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Science Projects
This high school oriented guide is from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. It includes a wide array of hands-on projects that meet national standards.
Energy Hog Challenge Teacher’s Guide
The guide is designed for grades 2 – 6. It addresses National Science Standards and includes class discussions, class activities, homework assignments, Energy Hog Jeopardy and related resources.
Renewable Energy Activities – Choices for Tomorrow
From the National Renewable Energy Laboratory with middle schoolers in mind. Includes sections entitled Energy, Energy Conversions, Wind and Water, Biomass and Solar Energy
The National Energy Education Development Project has published activities and lesson plans for varying levels.
4-H Wind Energy Curricula– “The activities in The Power of the Wind curriculuminvolve young people in the engineering design process as they learn about the wind and its uses.”
Save on Energy: Kids Learning Center
Department of Energy Virtual Field Trips to National Energy Labs
Apps
Light Bulb Finder “a free mobile phone application that makes it easy to switch from conventional light bulbs to energy-saving equivalents with the right fit, style and light quality.”
JouleBug“the easy way to make your everyday habits more sustainable, at home, work, and play. Discover how you and your friends can use resources—without using them up, with this newly designed app.”
ATel – Offers simulations, self-guided online activities, virtual labs, and more!
Games
Department of Energy Games and Activities
Enercities – an educational game about energy, co-funded by the European Commission. The game is about energy sources and the balance between people, planet and profit. Can you create a metropolis that stands the test of time?
Energy Island “You are responsible for providing electricity to the 5,000 inhabitants of Siemens Island. You have to supply enough electricity to power all the services over a 24 hour period, to do so economically and without damaging the environment.”
Save the World “The world’s energy supplies are in crisis and it is up to you to save the world. Visit different locations around the world and implement the best alternative energy sources including wind, hydro, tidal, geothermal and solar in this free online alternate energy sources game.”
Solar Energy Defenders “Use what you learn about solar energy to save the school dance from vampires in this super cool solar energy game.” Plants v. Zombies with a twist
Hydro Quebec Games 7 different games to choose from elementary to high school appropriate
Lights Out Elementary Game – Race to replace standard bulbs with CFLs
Videos
The Missing Link to Renewable Energy – Ted Talk Donald Sadoway talks about his pursuit of a battery to store renewable energy
Ted Talk – Bill Gates – Innovating to Zero Bill discusses his vision about the energy future
The Value of Energy Efficiency Why is dad always asking me to shut off the lights?
The Artifical LeafMaking Hydrogen fuel from a manmade leaf.
How do different methods of Renewable Energy Work?
National Geographic: Behind the Science: Renewables
The Clean Energy Effect – The EPA’s new Clean Power Plan is a big step toward reining in fossil fuel pollution while we transition to 100% clean energy. Take action to make the Clean Power Plan even stronger.
Useful Links
Alliance to Save Energy A great resource for energy efficiency and conservation.
American Solar Energy Society A great resource for solar energy.
The Energy Technology Career Academy blog is a great resource about preparing students for careers in energy.
U.S. Department of Energy: Clean Cities
Kids Zone at Tri-county Electric
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy Want to learn more about energy efficiency and conservation at home and at work and school?
Energy Kids from U.S. Department of Energy
Energy Quest – California Energy Commission Be sure to visit the Teacher Resources Tab!
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program
National Energy Education Development Project
Environmental Science Activities for the 21st Century
Environmental Protection Agency: Energy Star
Consumer Energy Center – Introduction to Renewables
Federal Energy Efficiency Publications
Federal Renewable Energy Publications
Rocky Mountain Power Educator Outreach
Energy and Society Kit from PLT– Project Learning Tree’s Energy & Society kit provides formal and non-formal educators with tools and activities to help students in grades PreK-8 learn about their relationship with energy and investigate the environmental issues related to energy’s role in society.
