Will Renewable Energy Guide Your Future?

This lesson introduces students to climate change and the idea that renewable energy sources are a better choice for the planet. 

Step 1 - Inquire: Students generate ideas in response to the question "What is climate change?" and watch an introductory video on climate change.

Step 2 - Investigate: Students learn about renewable energy sources through the book Energy Island and compare this community to their own.

Step 3 - Inspire: Students are challenged to follow the engineering design process and plan, design, and build their own zero emissions ferry to the island of Samsø.

Positives

• This lesson allows for a collaborative learning environment for students as it builds on understanding of climate change.

• This lesson features a problem-based approach to learning where students are immersed in solving a real-world problem.

• Students connect a real idealistic community to their own to see what is possible.

• This lesson follows the engineering design process.

Additional Prerequisites

• Students should have a basic understanding of climate change.

• Students should have an understanding of the engineering design process.

Differentiation

• Students can think-pair-share during the read aloud where students can make predictions or answer questions.

• You can pause the read aloud for students to make observations and predictions about the story.

• Groups of students with mixed abilities can collaborate on their ferry design challenge project.

This lesson introduces students to climate change and provides an excellent resource that illustrates how climate change impacts life in New Jersey. The energy independent island Samsø, Denmark is presented through a reading of Energy Island by Alan Drummond, and a Venn diagram is provided so students can compare Samsø to their hometown. Students are tasked with designing a zero emission ferry for Samsø and are challenged to see how climate change affects them and how an 8-12 year old can make a difference. This lesson is recommended for teaching.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.

Primary Standards

• Computer Science & Design Thinking
  • Design Thinking
    • 8.2.5.ED.2: Collaborate with peers to collect information, brainstorm to solve a problem, and evaluate all possible solutions to provide the best results with supporting sketches or models.
    • 8.2.5.ED.4: Explain factors that influence the development and function of products and systems (e.g., resources, criteria, desired features, constraints).
    • 8.2.5.ETW.5: Identify the impact of a specific technology on the environment and determine what can be done to increase positive effects and to reduce any negative effects, such as climate change.