elementary /
Solar & Farming: Harvesting Electricity and Veggies on the Same Land
Source: National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL)
Learn about innovative strategies for adding even more value to solar-developed lands, such as growing food or planting pollinator-friendly habitats.
NASA Climate Kids
Source: NASA
Climate change is closely connected to renewable energy. NASA Climate Kids is a great resource for teaching about the big-picture of climate change and the factors that contribute to it. Search their lesson library at https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/ for “Make Sun S’mores” and “Calculating Solar Power in Space” for two great lessons that dig into the details of solar energy.
Rooftop Solar Installation Timelapse Video
Source: Center for Renewable Energy Advanced Technological Education (CREATE)
See how solar panels are installed on the roof of a large school building in this 3.5-minute timelapse video.
Renewable Energy Jobs Card Game
Source: Mystic Aquarium & National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
In this game, played similarly to “Go Fish,”students explore different types of renewable energy – including solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass – and survey roles of real people who work in those industries. Renewable energy is one of the fastest-growing job sectors, and that trend is only expected to increase in the coming years with the U.S. goal of achieving a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.
Virtual Solar Tour
Source: Solar Empowered Schools
Explore the components of a roof-mounted and ground-mounted solar array through this interactive Google Slideshow.
Solar and Wind Competition
Source: KidWind
Each year KidWind runs statewide Solar and Wind challenges for grades 4-12. Students and teachers alike rave about this rich experience. Equipment and entry are free for participating clubs. No teacher expertise is necessary, as KidWind holds office hours for students and provides technical support for teachers.
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals & Lessons
Source: United Nations
Solar topics integrate beautifully with broader sustainability themes, such as the 7th U.N. Sustainability goal, "Affordable and Clean Energy". Visit this site for a wide range of captivating sustainability-related educational resources, including links to lessons about renewable energy through "The World's Largest Lesson."
Candy Collector: Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Activity
Source: National Energy Education Development (NEED)
In this fun, hands-on activity featuring CANDY(!) students choose between renewable and non-renewable energy sources to power their town. Common materials such as straws (extractors), M&Ms (non-renewable energy sources), and jellybeans (renewable energy sources) are used for the simulation. Teacher Tip: Search YouTube for "Candy Collector - Exploring Renewable & Nonrenewable" for a video demonstration of this lesson.
Project Wild Lessons about Pollinators and Adaptations
Source: Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Project Wild offers an excellent student-centered, experiential K-12 curriculum about wildlife and the environment, including lessons about pollination and adaptations. Teachers who participate in this FREE professional development workshop receive the treasured Activity Guide - a compilation of excellent standards-aligned, low-prep lessons that are feasible in any setting.
Women in Energy Careers Picture Book
Source: Authors Erin Twamley and Joshua Sneideman
This illustrated book spotlights diverse women working in STEM.
Hands-On Solar Projects: Solar Schoolhouse
Source: Solar Schoolhouse
Doing is believing. Solar Schoolhouse offers hands-on, student-centered activities that demonstrate how solar energy can be harnessed and used. Ideal for elementary and middle school, projects include solar ovens (thermal), solar whirligigs (photovoltaic), and DIY solar panels (photovoltaic). All materials are available for purchase as classroom kits at the School Store tab.
So Happy Together: Solar and Pollinators Interactive Lesson
Source: Solar Empowered Schools
This lesson, which includes a scavenger hunt, illuminates how ground-mounted solar can offer the double benefit of (1) generating clean, renewable energy and (2) creating a habitat for important pollinators.
National Energy Education Development (NEED) Solar Curriculum
Source: National Energy Education Development (NEED)
NEED specializes in K-12 renewable energy curriculum and teacher professional development. Their site includes a huge library of standards-aligned lesson plans (free) and hands-on experiment kits (for purchase).
Flowers and Their Pollinators Video
Source: SciShow Kids
This 5-minute video reviews the adaptations of animals and plants that facilitate pollination.
Classroom Kit Lending Library for Renewable Energy Experiments
Source: Center for the Advancement of Sustainable Energy (CASE)
Virginia teachers can check out classroom sets of hands-on learning kits for free! The library includes experiment kits for solar and wind, NEED experiments, and energy-related books.
Solar Storytime for Pre-K
Source: Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP)
Children can follow along with the video recording to hear two solar-related stories and create a sun craft. Featured books: Solar Power Comes to My Home by Susie Flann and Sun Song by Jean Marzollo. Video by the Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program.
Energy Career Activities and Lessons
Source: National Energy Education Development (NEED)
The Energy Careers Excursion curriculum pack includes activities suitable for all ages. With activities like "Energy Industry Guess Who?" and "Soft Skills Soirée", students assess which types of energy jobs match their interests and skills.
