Pairs simulate the energy usage of different countries by drawing beads from a bag, which contain different beginning ratios of non-renewable and renewable energy resources. The activity concludes with a series of questions to tie the activity back to the concept of the importance of renewable energy.

Concepts

energy, fossil fuels, non-renewable energy, technology resources

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Instructional Ideas

• Alter the drawing of the beads so that sixty percent of those drawn are black beads; draw conclusions on how that affects the time to run out of non-renewable energy
• Research the percentage of renewable energy used in various countries

Classroom Considerations

• Bags of 100 beads need to be prepared in advance
• Discuss the idea that selection of energy sources is not random like picking beads

Pros

• Provides a simple modeling of what happens with a non-renewable resource
• Introduction provides a compelling reason on why it is important to know about non-renewable and renewable energy sources

Cons

• Percent of beads that are in the renewable column on the data collection sheet is confusing

Common Core

6.RP.A.3.a 6.RP.A.3.c