Lesson 1: The Energy Connection
Overview
This introductory lesson uses an “Energy Discovery Box” to engage students and elicit their ideas about energy. Students randomly select items from the box and discuss how they think each relates to energy.
Key Ideas
- Despite the fact that energy is something people are seemingly quite familiar with, developing an understanding of energy is challenging and occurs over time.
- Energy is in some way connected to all physical objects and processes in the universe.
Lesson Goals
Students will:
- explore their current ideas about energy.
- begin to examine people’s interactions with energy.
Lesson Resources
Download Lesson Plan (12 pages, 1.4 MB)
Student Handout 1.1: Energy Snapshots Recording Sheet (1 page, 384 KB)
Teacher Resource 1.1: Descriptions of Energy Connections for Items in Energy Discovery Box (8 pages, 533 KB)
Teacher Resource 1.2: Sample Energy Snapshots (1 page, 396 KB)
Energy in the News
- The 21st Century Grid (National Geographic article) July 2010
- This Tiny Crustacean Menace Could Fuel the World (article) March 9, 2010
- The Bloom Box (video) from 60 Minutes February 21, 2010
- World's Greenest Grocery Opens in Maine (Natural Resource Council of Maine video)
- Being Green On Two Wheels (video) May 7, 2007
- Cape Cod Controversy (video) January 25, 2009
- Jay's (Lenno) Green Garage (video clips) including 1909 Baker Electric Car
- Fast Draw: Daylight Saving Time March 10, 2008
Connections to Maine Agencies
A Maine Energy Education Representative Program (MEEP) representative will come to interested schools, free of charge, to guide and support the concepts in this lesson.
For schools in Aroostook County, a Maine Public Service (MPS) representative will come to interested schools, free of charge, to guide and support the concepts developed in this lesson.
