Fusion Energy and Climate Change
Provided by: MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative|Published on: June 17, 2022|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Space Sciences, Engineering
Authors: MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative
Location: Earth
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this lesson, students will listen to a podcast about fusion energy, participate in a kinesthetic fusion activity, take a virtual tour of the MIT Alcator C-Mod, read about energy usage in the United States, and research the impact that fusion energy could have on energy production.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The podcast features an interview with Dennis Whyte, the director of the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center, who explains why fusion energy is so difficult to achieve.
- The guide's wrap-up questions about the podcast will make students think critically about fusion.
- Students will enjoy the fascinating 360° virtual tour of the Alcator C-Mod.
Additional Prerequisites
- In the research resources section, the link to the International Atomic Energy Agency is broken.
- Students should have a basic understanding of sub-atomic particles, atomic structure, and chemical reactions.
Differentiation
- Science and engineering classes could use this lesson when teaching about atoms, energy, the Sun, and chemical reactions.
- Social studies classes could debate the following statement: more money and time should be spent on trying to make fusion energy work. Students could consider the following questions as they prepare for the debate:
- Why is fusion energy important?
- How could fusion energy revolutionize the electricity and manufacturing industries?
- If scientists can figure out a way to produce fusion energy, will it always be expensive?
- Do we have time to wait for this solution or should it be a secondary priority?
- English language arts or creative writing classes could write a science fiction short story set in a world where scientists have figured out a way to produce fusion energy.
- Other resources on this topic include this video on obstacles to producing fusion energy, this TED-Ed video on current and projected global energy needs, and this ClimateScience course on clean energy.
This resource includes a podcast in which an MIT expert is interviewed and describes the continuing efforts to produce energy using fusion, which is the same process by which our sun produces its energy. Fusion technology exists, but not at a scale that enables it to scale up and be used as a reliable source of energy production. Existing challenges and potential solutions are discussed. A transcript and educator's guide, along with additional resource links, are provided. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
