The Great Clean Energy Challenge

Introduction

Target Audience: Elementary / Middle School Science

Topic: Renewable Energy

Introduction

Imagine you are a team of scientists hired by the Mayor of "Green City." The city’s old coal factory is closing down because it causes too much pollution. The Mayor needs your help to choose a new, clean way to power the city using nature. Can you find the best solution?

Task

Task

Your job is to work in a team to research clean energy sources (Solar, Wind, and Water) and create a short Clean Energy Plan (a 3-slide presentation or a small poster) to show the Mayor how to power the city safely.

 

Process

Process & Roles

Follow these simple steps:

  • Step 1: Form a team and pick one role for each person:

    • The Solar Expert: Learns about energy from the Sun.

    • The Wind Expert: Learns about energy from the wind.

    • The Water Expert: Learns about energy from moving water.

  • Step 2: Use the links in the Resources section to answer these 2 questions for your role:

    1. How does this energy work?

    2. What is one good thing and one bad thing about it?

  • Step 3: Meet with your team, share what you learned, and build your final poster or presentation together.





     

    Resources

    Use these simple websites to find your answers:

  • All Energy Types: Ducksters Science for Kids

  • Solar Energy: National Geographic Kids

  • Wind and Water Energy: Climate Kids NASA

Evaluation

Evaluation (Rubric)

Criteria Needs Work (1 Star) Good Job (2 Stars) Excellent (3 Stars)
Your Role Did not find facts for their assigned role. Found a few facts about their energy source. Found clear, useful facts and became a true expert.
Teamwork Did not help the team with the final project. Helped the team finish the project on time. Worked perfectly with others and shared great ideas.
Final Product The poster/slides are incomplete or messy. The poster/slides are neat and show the energy plan clearly. The final plan is creative, organized, and looks amazing.
Conclusion

Conclusion

Great job, Team! You saved Green City from pollution. You learned that we can use the Sun, wind, and water to make electricity without hurting our planet. Remember to always turn off the lights when you leave a room to save energy at home!