This is a simple activity to get the conversation started about renewable and non-renewable energy sources.

Teacher Instructions

Students will learn about different methods of generating electricity.  Working in groups, students will complete a set of google slides outlining some key concepts related to their assigned method. 

Students will complete an assessment to understand the energy consumption of classroom lighting. They will then calculate the yearly emissions in CO2 equivalents and finally calculate how many trees will be needed to balance these emissions. Students will present their calculations and propose plans to minimize the school's carbon footprint.

There is an extension that requires reading an article and discussing the energy production and consumption issues in India. It is a good opportunity to facilitate this discussion to allow students to think beyond the local scale and more globally.

Associated Files 

This educational resources created by Ingenium Canada, use an authentic problem – the energy crisis – to engage students in STEM learning. Emphasis is placed on the contributions of a diversity of engineers and scientists to emphasize that all passionate people (regardless of gender, age, ethnicity or socio-economic status) can pursue studies and careers in STEM.

Ingenium. (n.d.). Resources – Women in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics. Ingenium – Women in STEM. Retrieved February 26, 2023, from https://womeninstem.ingeniumcanada.org/resources/