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Understanding Electric Power Generation

This lesson introduces students to the nine primary sources of energy used in the United States. Students will gain an understanding of how we convert energy into usable electricity through exploration of energy source tradeoffs, class discussions, and student worksheets.

The Details

Image
Grades
10, 
11, 
12, 
6, 
7, 
8, 
and 9.
Time Required
2 class periods
Downloads
  PDFs

Next Generation Science Standards

Disciplinary Core Ideas

  • ETS1.A Defining and Delimiting an Engineering Problem
  • PS2.A Forces and Motion
  • PS2.B Types of Interactions
  • PS3.A Definitions of Energy
  • PS3.B
  • PS3.C

    • Cross-Cutting Concepts

  • Cause and Effect
  • Energy and Matter
  • Patterns

    • Learning Objectives

    • Understand the concept of energy carriers
    • Be able to explain why electricity is an energy carrier and not a primary energy source
    • Be able to explain how electricity is generated and transmitted
    • Be able to list the primary sources of energy that are used for electric power generation
    • Be able to compare and contrast advantages and disadvantages of coal vs. wind electric power generation
    • Understand the advantages and disadvantages of the primary sources of energy used for electric power generation

    Materials

    • Student reading passages and student worksheets

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