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ASTC Dimensions: Looking Toward the Future of Energy

Dimensions, the bimonthly magazine of the Association of Science-Technology Centers, just won another award for this energy-focused issue. Communications Concepts, Inc. has given an APEX Award of Excellence (category: Magazines, Journals, and Tabloids—Green) to our March/April 2016 issue, Looking Toward the Future of Energy. The Green category honors publications covering topics including energy efficiency, conservation, the environment, and climate education. This issue features a mix of in-depth analysis and briefs of noteworthy events and resources for the informal education field. The insights to energy trends and practices featured here are beneficial for teachers, parents, and informal educators alike.

Activity Categories
For Parents For PD Providers For Teachers Document Multi hour Adult None Energy Transformation Sources of Energy Transfer of Energy

Teaching Channel

Teaching Channel is a thriving online community where teachers can watch, share, and learn diverse techniques to help every student grow.

“So great to see good instructions live with kids. There are lots of resources linked with each lesson on the site.”

In terms of content related to energy, see these highlighted resources:

  • Energy Across the Disciplines: Students design Rube Goldberg machines to study energy transfers and energy transformations. The teacher uses the machines to help students make connections between flow of energy in ecosystems of life science with that of physical energy to then discuss conservation of energy and how that is reflected across different disciplines of science.
  • Potential Energy: Problem Solving Skills: A lesson introducing middle school students to the idea of potential energy. Students work through text with background information on potential energy before working with simulations calculating the amount of potential energy in different scenarios in small groups to further their understanding.
  • Exploring Real World Energy Transformations: Lesson with stations and identifying energy transformations and transfers using real world examples students are familiar with
  • STEM Activity: Heat Loss: In this fun activity, students build a house and then measure the amount of heat loss within the structure.  After making adjustments in “insulation”, students measure the amount of heat loss again, prompting further discussion on home energy efficiency

 

Activity Categories
For PD Providers For Teachers Document Video 5-10 minutes Multi hour Up to an Hour Adult Lesson Video Energy Transformation Sources of Energy Transfer of Energy

Project Learning Tree

Project Learning Tree (PLT) is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12.  “You’ll branch out and leaf a better educator!”

PLT also provides professional development training for educators.

 

Activity Categories
For PD Providers For Teachers Multi hour 11-14 years old 14-18 years old 5-8 years old 8-11 years old Lesson Basic Classroom Supplies Energy Transformation Sources of Energy Transfer of Energy

PhET Simulations

The PhET online interactive simulations from the University of Colorado are free, research-based and research-validated, cover math and all the major sciences, and are translated into dozens of languages. The online teaching resources to support each simulation include a teacher’s guide from the PhET design team, plus classroom activities that clever teachers have already developed for a given simulation.  Here is a short list of suggested resources on energy:

  • The Energy Skate Park  (kinetic, potential energy)
  • Circuit Construction (electrical energy)
  • Energy Forms and Changes (energy states, forms, conservation of energy)
  • Generator (energy types, energy resources, magnetic fields)

And a long-time favorite, John Travoltage–where you can make John “Travoltage’s” leg rub to build up static so that he gets shocked when touching a doorknob!

Activity Categories
For PD Providers For Teachers Document Simulations Website 5-10 minutes Multi hour Up to an Hour 11-14 years old 14-18 years old 8-11 years old Adult Activity Stations Demonstration Lesson Technology Energy Transformation Transfer of Energy

NREL Energy Education Resources for Teachers

NREL(National Renewable Energy Lab) provides a variety of educational resources to help students, teachers, and parents educate their kids about renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies, including hands-on projects and curriculum suggestions for elementary school, middle school, and high school students as well as teachers.

Activity Categories
For Parents For PD Providers For Teachers Document Website 5-10 minutes Multi hour Up to an Hour 11-14 years old 14-18 years old 5-8 years old 8-11 years old Adult Activity Stations Demonstration Lesson Unit Video Basic Classroom Supplies Special Equipment Technology Energy Transformation Sources of Energy Transfer of Energy

The Physics Front

Physics Front has reviewed and catalogued quality resources for K-12 teaching.  This collection focuses on resources, lesson plans, activities, and websites in support of teaching concepts related to energy and other topics in physics.

Activity Categories
For Parents For PD Providers For Teachers Document Video Website Multi hour Up to an Hour 11-14 years old 14-18 years old 8-11 years old Adult Demonstration Lesson Unit Video Basic Classroom Supplies Special Equipment Technology Energy Transformation Sources of Energy Transfer of Energy

Inside Energy

Inside Energy makes energy and energy policy accessible and meaningful through engaging articles and multimedia resources.  The articles are written by journalists and data specialists with storylines that provoke discussion and further investigation suitable for the classroom or for your own personal interest.  Inside Energy is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Activity Categories
For Parents For PD Providers For Teachers Document Podcast Video Website 5-10 minutes Multi hour Up to an Hour 11-14 years old 14-18 years old 8-11 years old Adult Demonstration Lesson Unit Video Basic Classroom Supplies Energy Transformation Sources of Energy Transfer of Energy

BP Educational Service

BP Educational Service (BPES) provides free videos, animations, and activities for school through college-aged students on Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) concepts. The aim of BPES is to use classroom concepts as the basis for activities and learning opportunities in the real-world.

Courtesy of: BP International

Activity Categories
For Parents For PD Providers For Teachers Website 5-10 minutes Multi hour Up to an Hour 11-14 years old 14-18 years old 5-8 years old 8-11 years old Activity Stations Demonstration Lesson Unit Video Basic Classroom Supplies None Special Equipment Technology Energy Transformation Sources of Energy Transfer of Energy

CLEAN

The Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network (CLEAN) provides a collection of over 600 energy resources for classrooms from middle school through higher education. Search for activities that have been reviewed by teaching professionals.

Courtesy of: The Science Education Resource Center (SERC) at Carleton College, its partners with funding from the National Science Foundation, and other sponsors

Activity Categories
For Parents For PD Providers For Teachers Website Multi hour 11-14 years old 14-18 years old 8-11 years old Adult Activity Stations Demonstration Lesson Unit Video Basic Classroom Supplies None Special Equipment Technology Energy Transformation Sources of Energy Transfer of Energy
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