What are renewable energy sources and how can we use renewable energy to power our daily lives?  Before we discuss this question with students we talk about what energy is.  Where does energy come from?  What are natural resources?  Energy and fuels that humans use are derived from natural sources, and their use affects the environment in multiple ways. Some resources are renewable over time, and others are not.   In a fun series of activities students will "pull out" natural resource gifts from the globe, learn more about different sources of energy both renewable and non renewable, then put their new knowledge to the test in a fun game based summary activity.

Objectives:

To help students learn about the types, value and limited nature of natural resources and to introduce sustainable technologies, such as renewable energy.

Vocabulary:

• Natural resources – Anything provided by nature; used to make the things we use and need.

• Renewable natural resources – Unlimited, inexhaustible resources that can be replaced by nature. An   example is new trees growing from seeds, or the sun.

• Nonrenewable natural resources – A resource with limited availability that can’t be replaced by nature. An example is oil, which will be gone if we use it up.

• Conserve – Using or managing natural resources wisely.

• Energy transfer – converting energy from its source to energy that can be used.  Example: moving water converted to energy to light a home.

• Fossil fuels - a fuel (such as coal, oil, or natural gas) that is formed in the earth from dead plants or animals

• Biomass - plant materials and animal waste used especially as a source of fuel

• Solar- produced by or using the sun's light or heat

• Hydropower- electricity produced from machines that are run by moving water

• Uranium - a radioactive element that is used to make nuclear energy

• Geothermal - natural heat produced inside the Earth

NGSS Learning standards met by this lesson:

ESS3.A Energy and fuels that humans use are derived from natural sources, and their use affects the environment in multiple ways. Some resources are renewable over time, and others are not.

IL. Learning standards met by this lesson:

 4.A.1a, 4.A.b, 4.A.1d, 12.E.1b, 12.E.1c, 13.B.1e, 13.B.2c, 13.E.1, 13.B.3f, 22.C.1

Frontload Materials & videos used in class

Fossil Fuel history

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaXBVYr9Ij0

World of Meters

http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/

Solar  video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDZzAIcCQLQ

Wind video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niZ_cvu9Fts

Follow-up Activities and Extended Learning

MCSEEP Energy Kits FREE for you to use: MCSEEP Energy Kits

Energy calculator http://www.eia.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=6

Energy NOW! Energy 101 Geothermal Energy    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCRDf7QxjDk

See how we can generate clean, renewable energy from hot water sources deep beneath the Earth's surface. The video highlights the basic principles at work in geothermal energy production, and illustrates three different ways the Earth's heat can be converted into electricity.

Energy NOW! Energy 101 Geothermal Heat Pumps  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_ZGBhy48YI

An energy-efficient heating and cooling alternative, the geothermal heat pump system moves heat from the ground to a building (or from a building to the ground) through a series of flexible pipe "loops" containing water. This edition of Energy 101 explores the benefits Geothermal and the science behind how it all comes together.

Energy Now! Energy 101 Electricity Generation  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20Vb6hlLQSg

Animated correspondent "Little Lee Patrick Sullivan" follows electricity from its source to the light bulb in your home, explaining different fuels, thermal power ...

Energy NOW! Energy 101 Cool Roofs  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urbpBy_Z5lE

This edition of Energy 101 takes a look at how switching to a cool roof can save you money and benefit the environment.

Energy NOW! Energy 101 Hydropower      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpigNNTQix8

Learn how hydropower captures the kinetic energy of flowing water and turns it into electricity for our homes and businesses.

Letter to Parents - teachers please share via print, email or web with your students' families after our presentation
2 up on a letter page word document

4th grade Lesson - letter to parents