Classroom Resources: Energy & Thermodynamics


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1 – 18 of 18 Classroom Resources

  • Renewable Energy, Heat, Temperature, Specific Heat, Interdisciplinary, Graphing | Middle School, High School

    Lesson Plan: Solar Cookers

    In this lesson, students will learn about the use of alternative cooking fuels that could replace burning wood, coal, or other smoke-producing materials to heat and cook food in developing nations, focusing on solar cookers. They will watch a video and read an article that provide a general overview of the need for alternative fuels. Then, in small groups, students will research, design, build, and test a solar cooker to determine if it is an effective method of cooking food in a developing nation. They will give a presentation to the class on their design, test results, and any improvements they would make to their initial design, and they will answer some reflection questions about the solar cookers made by their class and their role in the group project.

  • Electricity, Anode, Cathode, Galvanic Cells, Redox Reaction, Renewable Energy | High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: Hybrid and Electric Cars Video Questions

    In this activity, students will watch a video and answer related questions about the chemistry of batteries as they are used to power hybrid and electric cars. Students will learn about the basics of electricity, as well as how batteries function as a source of electricity.

  • Electricity, Anode, Cathode, Galvanic Cells, Heat, Renewable Energy | High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: Alternative Fuels Video Questions

    In this activity, students will watch a video and answer related questions about the alternatives to petroleum-based fossil fuels such as biofuels and hydrogen fuel cells. Students will learn about the pros and cons of various fuel sources, as well as possibilities for the future of fuels.

  • Introduction, Interdisciplinary, History, Heat, Renewable Energy, Polymers, Molecular Structure | Middle School, High School

    Video: Frontiers of Chemistry

    This video explores new scientific developments that were made possible by the application of fundamental chemistry concepts. Students will learn about exciting advances in science and technology focused on three main topics: Solar Cells, 3D Printing and Micro Machines.

  • Renewable Energy, Culminating Project | High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Project: Sustainable Energy Evaluation

    In this project, students will develop a presentation to compare the pros and cons of a sustainable resource. The explanation will involve researching the cost and benefits of the resource and analyzing if the resource should continue to be used.

  • Introduction, Interdisciplinary, History, Heat, Renewable Energy, Polymers, Molecular Structure | Middle School, High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: The Frontiers of Chemistry: Video Questions

    In this activity, students will answer questions while watching a video about several exciting scientific developments, including solar cells, 3D printing and micro machines. This video will help students understand that fundamental chemistry concepts are essential to the advancement of science and technology.

  • Electricity, Renewable Energy, Photosynthesis, Electron Transfer, Redox Reaction, Oxidation, Reduction | High School

    Lesson Plan: Color Solar Power!

    In this lesson students will make a dye-sensitized solar cell (also known as DSC or Gratzel cell) using extracts from blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, red cabbage, strawberries, beetroot, spinach and dried hibiscus petals. Students will measure the voltage and the current of various light sources using the created solar cells and then compare the effectiveness of each.

  • Renewable Energy, Electricity, Galvanic Cells, Cathode, Anode | High School

    Video: Hybrid and Electric Cars Video

    This video explores the chemistry in the batteries that power hybrid and electric cars.

  • Conservation of Matter, Matter, Interdisciplinary, Renewable Energy, Conservation of Matter | Elementary School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Lab: Reuse, Reduce and Recycle!

    In this lab students will explore ways to conserve natural resources. They will then have the opportunity to create their own recycled paper that can be used in the classroom.

  • Phase Changes, Photosynthesis, Renewable Energy | Elementary School, Middle School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Lab: Mini Terrarium

    In this lab, students will learn that even the smallest spaces can have their own climate. They will create a miniature sized terrarium and will observe how sunlight enters in order to warm the air, and in turn heat the soil and seeds. Condensation will build up in the container and the students can observe the water cycle in action, as well as the growth of the seeds over time.

  • Culminating Project, Interdisciplinary, History, Renewable Energy | High School

    Project: Understanding Renewable Energy

    In this project, students will conduct research in order to become an “expert” on a specific type of renewable energy source. Students will produce a media presentation and a poster board as well as participate in a symposium focused on renewable energy sources.

  • Electricity, Anode, Cathode, Galvanic Cells, Heat, Renewable Energy | Elementary School, Middle School, High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Video: Alternative Fuels Video

    This video analyzes alternatives to petroleum based fossil fuels, such as biofuels and hydrogen fuel cells.

  • Pros Cons of Nuclear Power, Combustion, Acid Rain, Radiation, Renewable Energy, Radiation | High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: Town Meeting

    In this activity, students will learn about acid rain, gas scrubbers, half-life, chain reactions, and other topics around electricity production through a debate on nuclear power.

  • Conservation of Mass, Renewable Energy, Balancing Equations, Chemical Change, Functional Groups, Molecular Structure | High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Lab: Soap or Fuel?

    In this lab, students will transform vegetable oil into a soft soap and into biodiesel fuel. The two reactions emphasize that the products of a chemical reaction are under the control of the chemist. By noting the relationship of the reaction product to the reactants, students will gain a deeper understanding of the law of conservation of matter.

  • Renewable Energy, Conservation of Mass, Chemical Change, Volume, Pressure | Middle School, High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Lab: Power That Stinks

    In this lab, students will experiment with creating and capturing biogas, and have an opportunity to look at how energy is created from waste. They will explore the differences between non-renewable and renewable energy sources.

  • Molecular Structure, Molecular Structure , Interdisciplinary, Chemical Change, Distillation, Renewable Energy, Enthalpy, Stoichiometry, Chemical Change, Combustion | High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Lesson Plan: Biofuels of the Future

    In this lesson students will explore the world of automobile alternative energy sources through the study of biofuels. They will design and create an e-book that illustrates and explains one of the provided topics or an original idea approved by the teacher.

  • Pros Cons of Nuclear Power, Radiation, Radiation, Renewable Energy, Interdisciplinary, History | High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: Nuclear Energy Power Plants

    In this activity, students will conduct research and write a persuasive essay in which they state an opinion about whether the number of nuclear plants should be increased or decreased.

  • Pros Cons of Nuclear Power, Radiation, Radiation, Renewable Energy, Interdisciplinary, History | High School

    Access is an AACT member benefit. Activity: Nuclear Energy Debate

    In this activity, students will watch a debate between experts on the merits and drawbacks of nuclear energy. They will use this debate, as well as additional research, to write a short position paper on whether or not to continue using nuclear energy that explains and defends their opinion, as well as the chemistry involved in nuclear energy production.

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