Energy Efficient Curriculum, 2001

Topic:  Energy Efficiency in the Home

Source:  The Bonneville Power Administration

Web address: http://www.bpa.gov/Corporate/KR/ed/eelesson/homepage.htm

Grade Levels:  4-7

Learning strategies:  Observation, data collection/analysis, group work

Frameworks Connections:

Science and Technology/Engineering

·         Life Sciences, Grades 6-8

Living Things and their Environment
Changes in Ecosystems Over Time

·         Physical Sciences, Grades 6-8

Heat Energy

·         Technology/Engineering, Grades 6-8

2. Engineering Design

Cost:  Free

Description: Using their knowledge about energy and its sources, students participating in this unit complete a number of activities to integrate their understanding of the effect of human behavior on energy use. Activities include:

• completing a home energy survey
• using students’ existing knowledge of energy to assess their own energy efficiency
• and developing new ways to save energy in their own lives

A student guide includes all the lessons and outlines the general objective and recommended procedures for each. The ideas are general, which allows for flexibility and adaptations in executing the activities in the classroom. These lessons can also serve as the basis for a more in-depth unit plan on energy efficiency and energy awareness.