Sixth Grade
From the Virginia Department of Education: The Science Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools identify academic content for essential components of the science curriculum at different grade levels. Standards are identified for kindergarten through grade five, for middle school, and for a core set of high school courses — Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. For more detailed standards, please visit: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/index.shtml
Energy: Renewable and Non-Renewable
SOL Correlations
6.1 The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices bya) asking questions and defining problemsb) planning and carrying out investigations c) interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating datad) constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanationse) developing and using modelsf) obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
6.4 The student will investigate and understand that there are basic sources of energy and that energy can be transformed.
6.9 The student will investigate and understand that humans impact the environment and individuals can influence public policy decisions related to energy and the environment.
Rocks and Minerals
Plate Tectonics, Rocks and Minerals- Jonette Mungo, 4-H Agent
Wind Energy
WindWise Curriculum and Education is a free online curriculum last updated in 2015. It also comes with a youth wind challenge supported by Virginia 4-H. Virginia has also incorporated the National Energy Education Development Project curriculum(NEED). This curriculum is specially designed to go with the wind and solar energy kits available in each VCE district. Please contact your local 4-H Agent or 4-H Education Center for information on how you can check out a Wind Education Kit or how you can gain access to these lessons and receive training on the kit and curriculum. If you would like training and more information on this initiative, please, contact Remy Pangle at panglerm@jmu.edu.
Lesson Plans
Understanding Forms and Sources of Energy
Understanding Electric Power Generation
What is the Cost of Inefficiency
How Can I Design Better Blades
How Does Energy Affect Wildlife
What is Wind Power's Risk to Birds
***Full WindWise Curriculum***
Solar Energy
The following solar energy lessons were developed to teach students about energy conservation and clean energy production. The curriculum was created by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYEDPA). Virginia 4-H supports solar energy and has several solar kits for use.
Virginia has also incorporated the National Energy Education Development Project curriculum(NEED). This curriculum is specially designed to go with the wind and solar energy kits available in each VCE district. Please contact your local 4-H Agent or 4-H Education Center for information on how you can check out a Solar Energy Kit or how you can gain access to these lessons and receive training on the kit and curriculum. If you would like training and more information on this initiative, please, contact Remy Pangle at panglerm@jmu.edu.
Lesson Plans
Solar Energy: UV Solar Printing- Jonette Mungo, 4-H Agent
Ultraviolet Radiation- Jonette Mungo, 4-H Agent
During What Part of the Day Can the Most Sun Power be Collected?- NYEDPA
Properties of Solar Radiation: Direct and Diffuse Light- NYEDPA
Leaves: All Natural Solar Collectors - NYEDPA
Build a Simpler Ammeter- NYEDPA
Energy for Earth: The Sun- NYEDPA
Properties of Solar Radiation: Reflection, Transmission, and Absorption- NYEDPA
Introduction to Photovoltaic Cells- Solar Resource Assessment and Forecasting Laboratory (SRAFL) at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
Solar Cooking with the Sun- SRAFL at UCSD
Solar Energy Resources
Energy Action At Home - Brochure Share with your family all the things that can be done to conserve energy and lower your energy bill.
Solar For All- An interactive data map showing the solar energy capacity for all regions of the United States.
Watersheds
SOL Correlations
6.8 The student will investigate and understand that land and water have roles in watershed systems. Key ideas includea) a watershed is composed of the land that drains into a body of water;b) Virginia is composed of multiple watershed systems which have specific features;c) the Chesapeake Bay is an estuary that has many important functions; andd) natural processes, human activities, and biotic and abiotic factors influence the health of a watershed system.Resources
Virginia Watershed List - Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, list and maps of Virginia Watersheds
Virginia Watersheds and Ecosystems- Kelsey Grimes, 25 minute instructional video
Other Energy Related Resources
The MacGyver Windmill Challenge is an fun Experiential Learning Activity where students are tasked with creating a small windmill that will do work. The lesson for this activity can be found here.
The Sail Car Challenge allows students to test design and engineering to create a car that is powered by the wind. The lesson for this activity can be found here.
This video produced by the energy department explains how solar power generates electricity through PV solar cells.
Grimes Watershed Education.mp4Virginia Watersheds and Ecosystems
Kelsey Grimes, 25 minute instructional video focusing on the interactions of Virginia's watersheds and ecosystems.
If you have any questions or concerns about this page, please contact 4-H Agent, Jonette Mungo at jonetm4@vt.edu.