Energy Conservation Grade Level 4-5

Transcription

1 Green and Healthy Home Topic 7: Energy Energy Conservation Grade Level 4-5 While there are two types of energy, renewable and nonrenewable, most of the energy we use comes from burning nonrenewable fuels--coal, petroleum or oil, or natural gas. These supply the majority of our energy needs because we have designed ways to transform their energy on a large scale to meet consumer needs. The amount of fossil fuels is limited and we will eventually run out of current supplies. It is important to conserve these resources, while we experiment with the possibility of using renewable resources to meet our energy needs. Use of fossil fuels to make energy changes is complicated by the fact that they are the primary causes of environmental pollution including smog, acid rain, and the Greenhouse effect. At the end of this topic students should: Know that most of the energy we use comes from nonrenewable resources that pollute our environment. Turn off the lights, television, computer and other devices when they leave the room Lesson Overview Objectives: Students will be able to Describe energy conservation actions Preparation/Materials: Energy Conservation Board Game for each group Paper clips Game piece for each student Procedure (Total Time): Activity 1 (10 minutes): Energy Trivia Activity 2 (15 minutes): Energy Conservation Board Game Home Activity: One Hour Challenge Source: US Energy Information Administration and the NEED Project

2 Activity 1: Energy Trivia 1. Explain and discuss the importance of energy conservation: Energy is the ability to do work. We use energy when we climb a mountain, play soccer, or even when we think. There are other types of energy such as that used to light a street lamp, heat or cool our homes, cook our food, and power buses, planes and cars. Energy moves cars, makes machines run, heats ovens, and lights our classrooms. The sun is the source of all energy. The sun s energy is stored in coal, petroleum, natural gas, food, water and wind. Most of the energy we use comes from burning one of the fuels coal, petroleum or oil, or natural gas. These are called fossil fuels and are renewable energy sources. These include the sun, wind, ocean currents, and biomass. Energy conservation is important because burning nonrenewable fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases that act like a blanket around the earth that traps the sun s heat. This is dangerous for life. Without this blanket of greenhouse gases, more of the sun s heat would escape to space, and not cause global warming. 2. As a warm up, use the following trivia questions to get students thinking about energy conservation. 1. What is the most energy-efficient way to dry your clothes? a. Use a clothes dryer b. Use a hair dryer c. Dry them on a clothesline d. Put them in the microwave 2. Which of these is NOT a Vampire Electronic when plugged in? a. A phone charger that is not being used b. A refrigerator c. A laptop computer that is turned off d. A DVD player that is not being used 3. Which of these forms of transportation uses the least amount of energy: a. Cars b. Buses c. Bicycles d. Trains

3 4. What is the most energy-efficient way to keep cool in the summer? a. Stand in front of an open refrigerator b. Use fans to circulate cool air c. Crank up the air conditioner d. Open windows while the A/C is on 5. If you are the last person to leave a room, be sure to: a. Check for dirty dishes b. Turn off the lights c. Leave the lights on for the next person d. Make sure no one s hiding 1. Cut out the spinner from the board game. Place a paper clip on the point of a pencil and place the point of the pencil (with the paper clip) in the small white circle in the middle of the spinner. Fling the paper clip around. When the paper clip stops spinning, it will land on one of the sections of the spinner. Make moves appropriately. 2. Explain the rules: o The oldest person goes first. o Everyone should have a paperclip, a pencil, and a game piece to use on the game board. o If the paper clip lands on a conservation tip, move forward two spaces. o If the paper clip lands on something that uses energy, move back one space. o The player to get to the end first wins. o Encourage students to think of their own energy conservation moves. Home Activity: One Hour Challenge 1. Try going without electricity for one hour. See how long you can go, and challenge your friends and family to beat your record! 2. Find different and creative things to do that don t use energy. Some ideas include riding your bike, playing a board game, read a book, organize a neighborhood kickball tournament!

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