Session 1

1. How do you use energy?

• electricity
• transportation

2. What is Alternative Energy?

• Energy that we can use other than gasoline, oil, coal, and other nonrenewable fuels

Primary Activity

1. Name, explain, and draw the different types of alternative energy

• Passive - Static systems that are positioned to take advantage of the heating and cooling aspects of solar radiation (a window or greenhouse). Water, stone and cement are good storage mediums for passive solar.
• Active - A system that has parts that can be replaced and things that move. (solar panels for electricity (photovoltaic) and hot water or air)
• Solar - With the solar panel, the cells are wired up in series. The output is supposed to be something like 3 volts, or the equivalent of two AA batteries wired in series. (EX. solar power flash light)
• Water - Dams
• Wind - Windmills
• Biofuels - wood, biodiesel

Extra Activities

1. Have students create a 5 minute alternative energy script, and present as a skit or poem.

• Energy Sock Puppets

2. Engage students in an debate regarding alternative energy. Debate teams should be broken up according to the number of alternative energies discussed that day.

3. Have the students draw pictures of different appliances in their house using electricity, then explaining where the electricity comes from and why the current methods for its generation are harmful to the environment.

4. Separate the "Good Energy," the alternative or renewable forms listed about from "Bad Energy," the non-renewable forms like coal, gas and oil and tell them why the "Bad Energy" was bad and "Good Energy" was good.

5. Show a few short videos on devices that use alternative energy like the Biodiesel car.

6. Have the kids assemble the fuel cell car and give them a simple overview of how it works.

Session 2

1. What is global warming?
2. Watch global warming video(s)
3. Create an interactive story about global warming using Scratch

Session 3

1. Assemble and explain fuel cell car
2. Draw and label fuel cell car
3. Car Competition

Session 4

1. Create Solar Oven
2. Explain solar panel and relate back to fuel cell car

Session 5

1. Use oven to heat stuff up
2. Create and explain hand cranks

Session 6

1. Download gogomonitor to explain and show function of themistor (A thermistor is a Surface Mounted Device that converts heat into resistance)
2. Build car and program motor to run according to thermistor

Use any of these lesson plans. These are just examples. It doesn't have to be in this order. Be creative. Ask Chris, Takira or Tien for any extra help or misconceptions.

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