IOWA'S ELECTRICAL ENERGY SOURCES TODAY

Sample Teaching Schedule

Day 1:

Sci. - Energy video, KWL, Read p1-2 "What is Energy?"

SS. - Where do You Get Your Energy?

Math- Reading an Electric Meter (1 or 2 days)

LA. - Energy Listening Activity, Lifestyles and Energy Survey (discuss/assign)

Day 2:

Sci. - Investigating Coal and Coal Flowers, Read p3-7 "What are Fossil Fuels"

SS. - Where is Coal Found in the US?

Math- (Reading an Electric Meter)

LA. - Lump of Coal

Day 3:

Sci. - Making a Simple Turbine

SS. - Extension Activities (Where do you get/ Where is coal found)

Math- Estimating Energy Use (1 - 2 days)

LA. - Burning Coal to Make Electricity

Day 4:

Sci. - Investigating Water PressureRead p8-9 ". . . Energy From Falling Water?"

SS. - Getting to Know Iowa's Power Plants, Work on projects

Math- (Estimating Energy Use)

LA. - Letter Writing Activity

Day 5:

Sci. - Read p10-11 "How Do We Get Energy From Atoms?"

SS. - Presentations from Day 3 projects/extension activities - Iowa Power Plants

Math- Discuss meter reading results

LA. - Discuss Lifestyles survey

Possible letter home:

Dear Family,
This week your student's class will be doing an integrated study of electric energy sources and use in Iowa. We feel that there is a need for us all to understand the sources of energy used in Iowa. This understanding should make us more efficient users and consumers of energy.
Your child will be bringing information and projects home that he/she would like to share with you. We encourage your participation. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact your student's teacher.

Sincerely,
Your Name

Video: Kids Have the Power

Teacher Directed Activity

Objectives:
1. Students will begin thinking about how electrical energy is produced.
2. Teacher will assess prior knowledge students have about electrical generation and uses.

Teaching Strategies:
1. The video lasts approximately seven minutes. Preview the video before showing it to your class. It is strongly recommended that you use the video as a start-up activity for this unit.
2. Before showing the video, ask students if anyone has ever visited an electric generating plant. Ask questions to find out is any students know where the closest power plant to their home is. What type of fuel does the plant use to generate electricity?
3. Show the video to the students. The video shows four students visiting a power plant and learning about its fuel source and how turbines and generators work together to produce electricity. Coal, hydroelectric, and nuclear generating facilities are discussed, including the distribution system used to send electric energy to various locations.
4. Pause the video when the student starts shoveling coal. Ask your class to predict how much coal is needed for the average family.
5. After viewing the video, lead the class in a discussion about the content of the video. Remember, the video is primarily for motivational purposes.
6. As you move through the module, you might find it helpful to rerun various segments of the video to reinforce student learning.
7. Show the video again, before visiting a power plant.

Materials List for Energy Unit

Estimating How Much Energy...

1 kg of coal; calculators; overhead transparency with Use Your Math 1, 2, and 3 written out.

Reading an Electric Meter...

Dials made from oak tag, magic markers, construction paper, and brass paper fasteners; real electric meter; electrical appliances.

Where Do You Get Your Energy...

No materials needed for this activity.

Where is Coal Found...

Coal resource books; enlarged map of coal locations on transparency; student sheets of map; transparency of teacher questions; large sheet of paper and markers; resource books; student sheets of 1991 U.S. Coal Production By State.

Iowa's Power Plants...

1 Iowa road map for each group of students; list of power plants for each student; Iowa county map for each student; one large Iowa county map for the whole class; thumbtacks.

Coal and Coal Flowers...

For each group of students: hand lens; paper towels or sheets of newspaper; small nail; safety glasses; shallow glass bowl; small pieces of coal; white glue; twigs or toothpicks; salt; laundry bluing; water; ammonia; food coloring.

Simple Turbine Model...

For each group of students: 1 drinking straw; 8 1/2" paper square; string; tape; rulers; scissors; paper punch; paper clips.

Investigating Water Pressure...

For each group of students: 1 paper milk carton; 1 pencil or nail; 1 shallow baking pan; masking tape; water.

Lifestyles Survey...

Each student needs at least one copy of the survey.

Lump of Coal...

Chunks of coal with student name tags; tape; writing paper; drawing paper; colored pencils.

Burning Coal to Make...

Student sheets; clay; dowel sticks; shoeboxes; construction paper; magic markers; copper wire; pieces of coal; pencils.

Letter Writing Activity...

List of types of power plants; stamps; envelopes; paper; pencil; business letter form example.

Listening Activity...

Crayons, colored pencils, or markers; one sheet of unlined paper per group or student; energy story.

Assessment Activities for Unit...

Fern; piece of coal; picture of a coal miner; model of a gas can; picture of a gas stove or water heater and dryer; sample of sub-bituminous coal; milk carton with holes labeled A, B, and C; picture or model of a turbine.