Introduction
On this journey, you will use different resources to collect information on different forms and sources of energy.
You will be divided in to small groups to complete this task. Even though you are working in groups, there will be some activities that you will be graded on as an individual. You will find a grading rubric under the evaluation slide.
The final activity will be a group created project in which you will present your findings to the class. This may be in a PowerPoint, poster, brochure or oral presentation
Task
Well, it has finally happened! We are facing a power shortage in our area due to people playing too many video games, watching too many cartoons, and wasting electricity. There is a way to keep us from facing a total loss of power, or blackout, though. A mad scientist, Doctor Barakat, has offered to build us an energy generating system of our own but there is a catch. In order to continue having energy available to us you must find a way to convince Dr. Barakat that you have researched the types of energy that are around us.
Easy enough, right?
As I said, there is a catch. You will also be given an alternate source of energy to investigate and you will use this information to convince Dr. Barakat that there is a better source of energy for our community than what we are currently using.
If you are unsuccessful in this quest, we will be facing a total loss of power for an undetermined amount of time.
Process
•You will be placed in small groups to complete this task.
•Complete a scavenger hunt using online resources to complete the energy information sheet. In order to share the workload equally, you may want to consider having 2 group members research half of the sources listed and the other 2 group members will research the remaining sources. The two groups will then share the results with one another.
•What kind of energy user are you? Take the Use Energy Wisely quiz to find out. This will be an individual activity. You will then complete the Energy and Sources of Energy Quiz independently for a grade.
•Each member of the group will research a renewable or non-renewable energy source. An energy source study guide is available to help you gather the information that you need. You can also find some helpful websites listed on the resources page.
•Once all the research has been done, the group should decide which energy source, renewable or non-renewable, to present to Dr. Barakat as a better source of energy than what we currently use.
•The energy source that your group chooses will be presented in a PPT, poster or brochure. Your group will decide what method to use. The information on the study guide will be the information that you should include in your final presentation.
•The evaluation rubric will provide you with a guide as to how you will be graded on this activity.
Evaluation
Evaluation
You will be evaluated using four assessments.
The Student Self Asssessment will be worth 50 points.
The Teacher Assessment will be worth 50 points.
This entire project is worth 100 points.
Conclusion
Congratulations!!! Your group was successfully able to convince Dr. Barakat that there are better energy sources available and he has agreed to build us another energy generating system so that we can continue enjoying the benefits that we are used to.
Hopefully, you will continue your own personal quest of learning more about energy sources and ways to conserve energy to make a positive impact on our world.
Teacher Page
■ Energy exists in various forms: heat, electric, sound, chemical, mechanical, light. (4.1a) ■ Everyday events involve one form of energy being changed to another. (4.2a) — Animals convert food to heat and motion. — The Sun’s energy warms the air and water. ■ Humans utilize interactions between matter and energy. (4.2b) — Chemical to electrical, light, and heat: battery and bulb. — Electrical to sound (e.g., doorbell buzzer). — Mechanical to sound (e.g., musical instruments, clapping) — Light to electrical (e.g., solar-powered calculator). Energy can be transferred from one place to another. (4.1b) ■ Some materials transfer energy better than others (heat and electricity). (4.1c) ■ Energy and matter interact: water is evaporated by the Sun’s heat; a bulb is lighted by means of electrical current; a musical instrument is played to produce sound; dark colors may absorb light, light colors may reflect light. (4.1d) ■ Heat can be released in many ways, for example, by burning, rubbing (friction), or combining one substance with another. (4.1f) ■ Interactions with forms of energy can be either helpful or harmful. (4.1g)