This lesson will be used after students have learned about the differences between renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. With a team, students choose a renewable alternative energy source such as solar, wind, biomass, geothermal or hydroelectric and research the pros and cons of that energy type.

The team then splits into debate teams and draws straws to determine whether they are on the "pro" or "con" side. They will debate in front of the class allowing others in the class to learn about both sides.

Join Chesapeake Bay Foundation educators Maya, Rick, and Norah as they lead you on a journey through the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Investigate how we are all part of a watershed as you twist and turn from the Appalachian Mountains, through the rivers and streams of Piedmont, all the way down to the Chesapeake Bay. Along your journey, you’ll meet the unique critters that call the watershed home. You’ll also explore what you can do in your own neighborhood to protect the environment and become a Backyard Bay Saver! 

In this experiment, two chemicals that can be found around the house will be mixed within a plastic baggie, and several chemical changes will be observed.

A bungee jump involves jumping from a tall structure while connected to a large elastic cord. Design a bungee jump that is "safe" for a hard-boiled egg. Create a safety egg harness and connect it to a rubber band, which is your the "bungee cord." Finally, attach your bungee cord to a force sensor to measures the forces that push or pull your egg.

After the completion of this module students will understand that sound travels in compression waves and must have a medium to travel. Sound also travels in liquids and gases. Students will also understand that sound waves are created by vibrations and capable of transmitting energy.This module was developed by Sarah Donnelly as part of a Virginia Commonwealth University STEM initiative sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education.

Elementary grade students investigate heat transfer in this activity to design and build a solar oven, then test its effectiveness using a temperature sensor. It blends the hands-on activity with digital graphing tools that allow kids to easily plot and share their data. Included in the package are illustrated procedures and extension activities. Note Requirements: This lesson requires a "VernierGo" temperature sensing device, available for ~ $40. This item is part of the Concord Consortium, a nonprofit research and development organization dedicated to transforming education through technology. The Consortium develops digital learning innovations for science, mathematics, and engineering.

By the end of this module, the students will be able to explain (using physical models and computer simulations) the components of electrical circuits, the purpose of each component, and the differences between series and parallel circuits.This module was developed by Christina Owens as part of a Virginia Commonwealth University STEM initiative sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education.

In this science-based unit, students explore the world of energy. In the first half of the unit students learn what energy is, the different ways that energy is transferred from place to place, and the ways energy can be converted from one type to another. In the second half of the unit students explore the pros and cons of different types of renewable and nonrenewable energy. After learning about the different types of energy, students will grapple with what the world's energy future will look like if more renewable solutions aren't found, particularly in their communities. Through a combination of reading and research, it is our hope that students begin to build a deeper understanding of energy and its influence on our lives.

This unit builds on to the informational reading skills and strategies developed in previous units. At this point in the year we assume that students are able to actively read and annotate informational texts in order to build understanding of a topic. Therefore, the focus of this unit is on refining students' ability to use different strategies to comprehend denser scientific texts. In particular, students will continue working on determining the main idea, summarizing key details, explaining cause and effect, using text features to improve understanding, and explaining how an author uses text features to elaborate on key concepts and ideas.

Using a hot wheels car, students can either convert the car's kinetic energy into potential energy in some form (gravitational or elastic), or transfer the car's kinetic energy to another object. Students then use the companion document to answer analysis questions.

Data sets and graphs on energy production, use, dependency, and efficiency are compiled through following key World Development Indicators.

Learn about conservation of energy with a skater dude! Build tracks, ramps and jumps for the skater and view the kinetic energy, potential energy and friction as he moves. You can also take the skater to different planets or even space!

This module is designed to guide students in better understanding energy and its many different forms. The students will also understand how one form of energy is transformed into another form of energy.  The teacher will facilitate students' explorations as they generate a summary of their experiences.  Throughout this unit, students will be guided in using practical materials such everyday appliances, electrical energy, energy from the sun and kitchen materials to create a device that can transform energy.This module was developed by Sarah Donnelly, Stephanie Hooks, and Karin Kaerwer as part of a Virginia Commonwealth University STEM initiative sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education.

Data set and map pertaining to energy production for all countries. The World Bank specifies energy production as a World Development Indicator (WDI) -- the statistical benchmark that helps measure the progress of development.

Data set and map pertaining to energy production for all countries. The World Bank specifies energy production as a World Development Indicator (WDI) -- the statistical benchmark that helps measure the progress of development.

Explore the concept of evaporative cooling through a hands-on experiment. Use a wet cloth and fan to model an air-conditioner and use temperature and relative humidity sensors to collect data. Then digitally plot the data using graphs in the activity. In an optional extension, make your own modifications to improve the cooler's efficiency.

Objectives:
- Demonstrate to students the energy, resources, and extensive steps it takes to produce food and to dispose of food waste.
- Discuss how the environment is being harmed through excessive food waste.

Build your own miniature "greenhouse" out of a plastic container and plastic wrap, and fill it with different things such as dirt and sand to observe the effect this has on temperature. Monitor the temperature using temperature probes and digitally plot the data on the graphs provided in the activity.

Make your own miniature greenhouse and measure the light levels at different "times of day"--modeled by changing the angle of a lamp on the greenhouse--using a light sensor. Next, investigate the temperature in your greenhouse with and without a cover. Learn how a greenhouse works and how you can regulate the temperature in your model greenhouse.

Discover how electricity can be converted into other forms of energy such as light and heat. Connect resistors and holiday light bulbs to simple circuits and monitor the temperature over time. Investigate the differences in temperature between the circuit with the resistor and the circuit using the bulb.

Students use metersticks and spring scales to analyze the force required to pull and lift two different masses. Analysis questions then direct students to think about a force exerted through a displacement, and the companion document can then be used to spark classroom discussion. This is not meant to be an all-inclusive document; further discussion will be required to properly introduce Work and Energy.