Youngsters read text about an environmentally-friendly car. They try to figure out the meaning of the vocabulary in the text and discuss issues related to alternative energy sources. This thoughtful, well-designed plan has all the...

Teach your environmental studies, life science, or engineering class how an internal combustion engine works using the first few slides of the accompanying presentation. Then, focus in on the resulting carbon emissions. Finally, take a...

Middle school science stars observe and record data on the solar radiation reflected off or transmitted through various materials. They predict properties for various materials, and test their predictions by touch. This lesson becomes...

If you have solar car kits for your junior high schoolers, they can experiment with photovoltaic cell angle, light intensity, and aerodynamic design to discover what makes their car move more quickly. This is a classic activity to use...

Students discover types of energy. In this physics lesson, students discuss ways to power a car a design a model car kit with an alternative form of energy.

Students examine alternative energy. In this research based lesson, students study alternative energy and how it will influence transportation in the future. They will write a report and give an oral presentation of their findings.

With rising oil prices and increasing concerns over global warming, the pressure is on for engineers to develop alternative sources of energy. Among the new technologies being developed are hydrogen fuel cells, which young scientists...

Why does it get so hot inside of our cars in the summertime? The greenhouse effect! Lab groups experiment to see what happens to an ice cube enclosed in a jar and placed in sunlight as compared to an ice cube outside of the jar. They...

Students investigate energy conservation.  In this energy conservation and analyzing data instructional activity, students identify and explain several energy sources and research renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. Students...

Students investigate the results of different propulsion methods. In this propulsion lesson, students measure the distance a test toy car goes using different types of propulsion. They record the distances in data tables before...

Learners apply the principles of chemistry to investigate the concept of how a hydrogen powered car works. They study the electrochemical reactions that provide the energy source. Students also record observations in the functioning of a...

Math and science meet in this instructional activity on hybrid electric automobiles. This 24-page resource provides everything you need for teaching a instructional activity that compares the use of internal combustion engines to hybrid...

Students investigate the concerns over fuel sources and the debate over ethanol as an energy source.  In this alternative energy lesson students complete an activity of selling and buying an environmentally friendly car. 

Extensive background material, clear objectives, and more are provided to help you teach an introduction to nuclear power. Learners will be able to explain how nuclear power is generated and how it compares to coal-created power. Provide...

Students discuss rising gas prices, then read a news article about how the increase in fuel cost may affect other prices. For this economics and current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary...

Students share their knowledge about fuel sources, then read a news article about vegetable oil as a cleaner alternative to gasoline. In this current events and environmental science lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a...

Young scholars list the reasons why people chose hybrid cars over traditional cars. For this technology lesson, students create a poster describing how hybrid cars work. They discuss ways to save fuel and improve a car's efficiency.

Students complete a KWL chart, then read a news article about the comeback of windmills. For this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a KWL chart and vocabulary activity, then students read the news report and...

Students explore and discuss alternative energy sources, and identify disadvantages of current fossil fuels.

In this filling up worksheet, young scholars calculate the E85 per gasoline-gallon equivalent price to the E85 price per gallon to complete a chart of "alternative fuel". They use the data along with the price per gallon of gasoline to...

Students research renewable fuels. In this alternative energy lesson, students compile information and create a comparison chart on renewable resources. This lesson includes additional suggested readings, vocabulary, and a Biomass...

Students examine how various countries meet or do not meet sustainability challenges. They read and discuss an article, complete an informational table, and participate in a group discussion.

Budding scientists collect and compare particulate exhaust from four different vehicles. They discuss how cars contribute to air quality. To get the most mileage out of this resource, have learners complete the optional step 5, in which...

Sixth graders examine renewable energy sources such as ethanol.  In this photosynthesis and biomes lesson students complete a project on farming techniques.