The Power Of Renewable Energy: Building a Sustainable Future

Welcome, Young Scientists!

  Every day, humans use massive amounts of energy - to light our houses, charge our phones, power cars, and run factories. But most this energy from nonrenewable sources like coal, Oil, and Natural gas, which releases pollution and contribute climate change.

  As the world grows, the need for clean and renewable energy becomes more urgent. Scientists and engineers are developing creative ways to harness energy from the sun, wind, and water to power our world sustainably. 

  Today, you will step into the role of energy scientist working for a company called future power, Inc. Your team has been hired to design a plan to transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy. 

• Guided Questions: 

1. What are the main types of renewable energy, and how do they work?
2. How do renewable energy sources compare to fossil fuel in cost, efficiency, and environmental impact?
3. What challenges must communities overcome to switch to renewable energy?
4. How can we create a realistic and sustainable plan for the future?

Learning objectives:

• SC.6.E.7.9: Describe how the energy from the sun drives atmospheric and oceanic currents and influences global climate.
• SC.6.P.11.1: Explore the forms of energy (solar, mechanical, electrical, chemical) and how energy can be transformed.
• Students will understand how renewable energy sources function.
• Students will analyze data comparing renewable and nonrenewable resources.
• Students will evaluate different energy solutions for sustainability.
• Students will create a plan to transition a community to renewable energy. 

You and Your group will become Energy Scientists For FuturePower, Inc.

Your mission is to design a Renewable energy plan for a fictional city called sunville, Florida.

Sunville's population is growing quickly, but their plant still burn fossil fuels. The mayor has asked your team to research clean options and present a proposal showing how the city can go green by 2040. 

Team will: 

1. Research at least Three renewable Energy source ( solar, Hydroelectric, geothermal, or biomass).
2. Identify advantages and disadvantages of each source
3. Recommend the best combination of renewable source for sunville.
4. Design a narrated Powerpoint Presentation explaining your plan. 
5. Support your ideas with Data, Visuals, and citations from reliable sources

Presentations:

• Should be 5-8 Slides 
• Included: Maps, graphs, or charts.
• Have a summary Slide ( Paragraph or two ) describing how your plan benefits people and the planet.
• Citation page with at least three credible sources

*Step 1: Time to team up! Get into groups of 3–4 people and give everyone a role:

    •    Researcher: Finds cool facts and data about renewable energy.

    •    Engineer: Explains how each energy system works.

    •    Economist: Figures out costs and long-term benefits.

    •    Presenter/Designer: Creates and narrates the final presentation.

Make sure everyone knows their job before you dive in!

*Step 2: Explore Renewable Energy Sources

Start your research using these trusted websites:

• https://climatekids.nasa.gov/   
•  https://www.climate.gov
• https://www.epa.gov/climate-change
• https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/climate-change-overview
• https://ourworldindata.org/energy-mix

As you explore, look for:

    •    How each energy source works

    •    What equipment is needed

    •    The pros and cons (cost, efficiency, and environmental impact)

    •    Real-world examples of cities using that type of energy

*Share what you find with your group so everyone stays on the same page

Step 3: Design Sunville’s Energy Plan

Now it’s time to get creative! Work together to design Sunville’s renewable energy plan.

Think about:

    •    Which energy sources fit Sunville’s climate and location best

    •    How much energy will come from each source

    •    How your plan can reduce pollution and create jobs

Here are some examples to inspire you:

    •    “By 2030, Sunville will install 2,000 rooftop solar panels.”

    •    “Wind turbines near the coast will provide 40% of the city’s power.”

You can sketch a map or draw out your ideas to show what your city will look like!

Step 4: Create and Share Your Presentation

Use the PowerPoint to bring your project to life! Make sure to include:

    •    Photos, diagrams, or infographics

    •    Short, clear explanations

    •    Narration or written speaker notes

End with a Call to Action — encourage people to support renewable energy in Sunville

 Step 5: Reflect

After everyone presents, take a moment to reflect.

Write a short paragraph about:

    •    What you learned about renewable energy

    •    How switching to clean energy can help the environment and the economy

Projects will be graded using the following rubric 

Congratulations,

You’ve explored the science behind renewable energy and created a plan that could help Sunville — and the world — move toward a sustainable future.

By completing this Science project, you’ve learned:

    •    How renewable energy sources work and interact with the environment.

    •    How to use research and teamwork to solve real-world problems.

    •    How science, engineering, and creativity can combine to make the world a cleaner place.

Enrichment Activity:

Now, take what you’ve learned and imagine:

 What would your own city look like if it ran entirely on renewable energy?

Which country do you think has the best energy plan, and why?

Answer should be 5-7 sentences. 

https://ourworldindata.org/energy-mix