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Michigan Renewable Energy Success Stories
Sources for More InformationU.S. Department of Energy (DOE) free telephone number for free publications – Internet Web Sites for National or Out-of-State Organizations U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s global warming site Massachusetts Technology Collaborative on Renewable Energy (including green schools) National Renewable Energy Laboratory See "Clean Energy Basics" and "Education Programs" Thousands of pictures of renewable energy applications The American Solar Energy Association American Wind Energy Association DOE Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy DOE Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Residential Program Information Solar Utilities Network (California) Pictures of working solar systems California Energy Office, glossary of energy terms The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy The Inter-State Renewable Energy Council U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Rebuild America program U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Energy Smart Schools program U.S. DOE Energy Information Administration (lots of facts and statistics)
Internet Web Sites for Michigan Focused Information Michigan Energy Options (formerly Urban Options / Northern Options) – seeks to improve the environmental quality of our urban spaces Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association Michigan renewable energy program (Public Service Commission) Michigan Energy Office – renewable energy page For more information on fuel cells, go to Michigan’s Next Energy Authority Michigan-based photovoltaic manufacturer Michigan-based wind development company Michigan Wind Energy Development Sites Energy Data for Specific States
Most Libraries have numerous books on energy-related topics. Since books in libraries are arranged by topics numbered by the Dewey decimal system, here are some places to look for books on energy: 333 – The Economics of Land and Energy
Renewable Energy Educational Materials Michigan Energy Options (formerly Urban Options / Northern Options) / MECNet sustainability education handbook, correlated to State education standards & benchmarks National Energy Education Development Project (NEED) Energy lesson plans (U.S. DOE) Kid's global warming activities (U.S. EPA) Energy education resources K-12 Energy education resources: kindergarten through 12th grade Florida Solar Energy Center’s Education program Tennessee Energy Education Network (TEEN) Solar education - A solar energy curriculum for upper elementary/intermediate grades (Arizona) Energy lesson plans (Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning) International Association for Solar Energy Education Renewable energy education curriculum framework State Education and Environment Roundtable Environmental education: Project Learning Tree National science education standards Social studies curriculum standards
Michigan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Success Stories was developed for all Michigan teachers, including those already involved in NEED. The National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project publishes curriculum materials that emphasize the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills using hands-on activities that encourage students to consider the trade-offs inherent in energy use. NEED materials are correlated to Michigan Curriculum Framework Science Content Benchmarks and National Science Education Content Standards. Activities are available at all grade levels and incorporate NEED’s Kids Teaching Kids approach to education by encouraging students to learn about energy and apply that knowledge by teaching others. Many NEED curriculum materials are provided free to teachers who attend NEED training workshops. These regional workshops take place several times a year throughout Michigan, and thanks to the sponsorship of several corporations and foundations are offered at no cost to teachers. Information about upcoming workshops is available on NEED’s website, www.NEED.org or by calling NEED at 1-800-875-5029. Below is a description of NEED curriculum materials that can be used in addition to Michigan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Success Stories. Renewable/Nonrenewable Sources of Energy Energy Infobooks – These student booklets are the resource for many NEED activities and include an introduction to energy, information on the ten major sources of energy used in the U.S. today, new technologies, energy consumption, electricity, and other energy information. They are available on three reading levels and are updated annually. Individual fact sheets are online. Transparent Energy – In this activity, students prepare presentations on energy, the ten energy sources and electricity, using transparencies. Included are teacher and student instructions, a sample energy presentation on energy consumption, sample presentation scripts, and transparency masters for the energy sources. Great Energy Rock Performances – Student rock bands write songs and sing about energy sources, electricity, and conservation and efficiency in this entertaining activity. Audiences learn more from these energy rock stars as they tell their stories to interviewers out to get the latest energy scoops. Teacher and student instructions included, along with twelve sample songs and interviews. Energy Enigma – Students put on their detective hats to uncover the mysteries in this activity. Teams use reading, brainstorming, and organizational skills to hide the identity of their energy source while trying to guess which energy sources the other teams represent. Teacher Guide and transparency masters are included. Energy Source Expo – Students work in groups to develop exhibits and make presentations on the major energy sources. Teacher and student guides and resources are included. Issues With Energy Use Energy in the Balance – This activity introduces students to the advantages and disadvantages of the major energy sources through a series of critical thinking, charting, and graphing activities. Great Energy Debate Game – Students evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the ten energy sources. Student groups represent different energy sources and develop arguments on the merits of their energy source over the others. A teacher guide and transparency masters are included. Mission Possible – This activity challenges students to develop an energy plan for a fictitious, growing country. Students consider the advantages and disadvantages of the energy sources available in the country so that they can increase electricity production while maintaining environmental quality and quality of life. Solar Energy Exploring Solar Energy – This kit comes with a detailed Teacher Guide, a class set of Student Guides, and five sets of equipment to conduct the experiments, including radiation cans, thermometers, concave mirrors for solar concentration studies, PV kits, and more. Replacement parts for both kits can be purchased separately so that the kit can be used for many years. Energy Efficiency and Conservation Energy House – In this activity, students insulate a cardboard box house with a variety of insulating materials that they must purchase with energy bucks, learning about energy conservation, energy savings, and diminishing returns. Teacher and student guides are included. Monitoring and Mentoring – This program introduces students to methods of measuring energy usage, determining costs, and quantifying environmental effects through a series of activities that include reading electric and natural gas meters, Energy Guide labels, and electric nameplates. Students conduct surveys of the school building and school energy consumption – gathering, recording and analyzing data, and monitoring energy usage. Students are encouraged to buddy with primary students to learn by teaching others.
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