Middle School Home Energy Audit, 2001
Topics: Converting Energy into Power, Units of Measurement, Costs to Consumers
Source: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory Education Office and Friends of Fermilab, NREL & US Dept of Energy
Web Address:
http://www-ed.fnal.gov/ntep/f98/projects/nrel_energy_2
Grade Leves: 6-9
Learning Strategies: Reading comprehension, research, project-based learning
Frameworks Connections:
Science and Technology/Engineering
- Physical Sciences, Grades 3-5
- Physical Sciences, Grades 6-8
- Technology/Engineering, Grades 6-8
2. Engineering Design
Forms of Energy
Heat Energy
Mathematics, Grades 5-6
- Measurement
- Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability
Costs: Free
Description: As part of the National Teacher Enhancement Project (NTEP), this collection of lessons is intended to create an understanding of energy by performing a home energy audit. Some of the skills students are expected to acquire include understanding how energy is turned into power, how these units are measured, and the cost of these units to the consumer. Informal assessments include a pre-test of existing knowledge, an energy audit, and a post assessment.
A teacher’s section contains everything needed to complete the lessons including items such as printable activities, alternative lessons, and extensions to the activities. The teacher is also provided with helpful tools such as answer keys and rubrics to evaluate student learning.
Separate student pages contain interactive websites with links to a glossary, activities, online informal assessments, and background readings. These pages allow students to draw conclusions about ways to achieve energy efficiency.