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Energy Education...

A Toolkit for Teachers and Parents

From the Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, University of Colorado

A good way to teach kids about energy is with an introduction to the concept of energy. Students discuss specific types of energy and the practical sources of energy. Hands-on activities help them identify types of energy in their surroundings and enhance their understanding of energy.

This lesson plan from TeachEngineering.org provides teachers with the necessary tools to help kids learn how energy affects our lives.

Engineering Connection

We use energy in all its forms almost every day. Engineers study these forms of energy to help create things that make our lives easier. Currently, engineers are looking for better ways to produce electricity to keep energy affordable and less destructive to the environment.

They are also investigating alternative fuel sources for use in vehicles, such as ethanol from corn and hydrogen from water.

You cannot always see energy, touch it or hold it in your hand, but energy is everywhere. Energy is the ability to do work, to make things happen, and to cause changes.

Energy cannot be made or destroyed; it can only be changed into different forms. Can you name a form of energy? (Examples: Light, heat, electricity, sound) From where do you think we get electricity? (Possible answers: Power plant, the outlet in the wall, food) Can you think of an example in which energy is changed from one form to another? How about a light bulb? We turn it on by plugging it into the wall. What happens when you leave a light bulb on for a while? It gets hot! Well, that is an example of electrical energy changing into heat energy from the vibration of the filament, which also produces light!