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Energy Economics: Connecting Cost to Kilowatts

In this activity, students will explore the concept of energy output and consumption using energy readers like a Kill A Watt Energy Monitor. They will learn about the costs associated with energy through readings and a simple energy audit.

This is a two part lesson. In the first part, students will be using a Kill A Watt Energy Monitor to measure how much energy an electronic device (tablet, laptop, phone) uses for Internet searches, playing games, etc. In the second part of the lesson, students will calculate the daily cost to supply energy to operate classroom items.

The Details

Image
Grades
3, 
4, 
and 5.
Time Required
2 class periods
Downloads
  PDFs

Next Generation Science Standards

Disciplinary Core Ideas

  • PS3.A Definitions of Energy
  • PS3.B Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer
  • PS3.C Relationship Between Energy and Forces

    • Cross-Cutting Concepts

  • Energy and Matter

    • Learning Objectives

    • Explain how to measure energy using a Kill A Watt Meter.
    •  Identify how much energy it takes to power a common school or household item.
    • Identify the cost associated with energy usage.
    • Make decisions on how to reduce energy consumption.

    Materials

    • Kill A Watt Energy Monitor
    • Tablets, cell phones, or laptops
    • Calculators
    • “Story of an Energy Bill” slidedeck
    • Projected image of classroom energy use (in slide deck) or a teacher-made anchor chart
    • Classroom Energy Estimation Guide
    • Printed Powered UP poster to put outside of classroom
    • 3-4 different types of light bulbs, some energy efficient and some not (for extension activity only)

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