USC
University of Southern California
Edison Challenge

 

Edison International

USC Wrigley Institute

 

Workshop #2:

Got power? Discover the sources of energy

Date: Saturday, January 27, 2007
Time: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles
Objective: We’ll explore different energy renewable vs. non-renewable resources (biomass, hydropower, geothermal vents, wind, solar, petroleum, natural gas, coal, propane, nuclear). We will also investigate the primary source of biological energy on earth, the sun, and how living organisms are interconnected through photosynthesis and fossil fuels.
Workshop Content: Glossary of Energy Terms
  A lesson on solar energy:
“Tire Cooker – A Demo on Solar Cooking”
  A lesson on chemical energy:
“Which has more heat energy: Vegetable Oil or Petroleum Oil?”
  A lesson on wind energy and windmills:
“The Answer Is Blowing In the Wind”
 

Lessons on measuring the speed of the wind:

“Anemometer”                                                    
“Measuring Wind Energy”

 

A lesson on spinning turbines:  “Turbines – How They Work”

  A curriculum on renewable energy (26 pages):
“No Fossils in This Fuel”

Presentations
by specialists:

“Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy”
by Rudy Perez, Southern California Edison

“Microbial fuel cells – little bugs can make a big difference”
by Orianna Bretschger, USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies
Internet Demo
Websites:

Coal Energy

Combustion Turbine

Wind Energy

Waves Simulator

LIMPET

Geothermal Energy

How Enhanced Geothermal Systems work

Infared Images

Workshop Activity
Websites:

The Solar Cooking Archivehttp://solarcooking.org
Has plans on how to build a wide variety of solar cookers. Source for buying solar cookers, books, or supplies to make cookers. Audio and Video Interviews with interesting solar cooking promoters and enthusiasts worldwide.

MidAmerican Energyhttp://www.midamericanenergy.com
Energy company servicing Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and South Dakota. Virtual plant tours for coal-fueled, combustion fueled, and wind energy. Wind energy timeline.

National Renewable Energy Laboratoryhttp://www.nrel.govDownloadable Teacher’s activity guide: R.E.A.C.T. (Renewable Energy Activities – Choices for Tomorrow). Site with good background information on Renewable energy.
NREL's Geospatial Toolkit allows users to see renewable resource data at a glance.

Michigan Association of Conservation Districtshttp://www.macd.org
Site has “Michigan Biomass Curriculum Project” downloadable activity guide and chart. Curriculum Educates students about alternatives to conventional energy sources and how their choices can affect our environment.

Alliant Energyhttp://www.alliantenergykids.com
Link to Alliant energy kids page. Through interactive and engaging activities, elementary students can learn about electricity and natural gas, how to use them safely and wisely, and the importance of conserving energy.

Tennessee Valley Authorityhttp://www.tvakids.comDownloadable “Energy Sourcebooks” teaching guides and energy education activities to help students better understand electricity, energy, and the environmont. “Renewable Energy Resources” curriculum to eduacate children in the science and ecology of renewable energy. Kids page has other activities and links to science projects and energy activities.

The Franklin Institutehttp://www.fi.edu
Resources for Science learning. This site contains online science content, resources and professional development information for educators, and more.

Bureau of Land Managementhttp://www.blm.gov
Learning Landscapes area on site has Teachers Section (Classroom Activities), Student Section (Games, Resource Explorer, and Career info) and Explorers (Virtual explorer).

Internet Resources:

Southern California Edison http://www.sce.com
Find out how energy is provided to you through hydropower, coal, and nuclear power generating plants, and learn about ways for better energy efficiency and conservation of these power sources.

Energy and Water Cycle Study   http://www.nasa-news.org
Diagrams and Powerpoint presentations detail purpose, ability, and mission for NEWS satellites. Topics include hydrology, climate, cloud modeling, and analyze the interplay of mathematical model predictions and real-life outcomes.  Excellent source for earth science, physics, and environmental topics.

NASA http://spaceplace.nasa.gov
With a home-page designed for kids, this educational resource hub includes a huge stock of high-quality images for classrooms or presentations.  Click the “Schoolhouse” Icon to reach the image database, and extensive activity collections.  These skew to younger students, but include earth science and mathematics topics.

NASA http://education.nasa.gov
Searchable by grade level and topic, this site offers activities and posters for download.  Beyond obvious NASA topics, activities focus on climate, geology, geography, and environmental sciences.  The site offers more detailed and written activities good for older students.

EREN (Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Network)http://www.eere.energy.gov
Resource for energy efficiency and renewable-energy information. Includes educational materials and resources for kids.

South Australia Government
http://www.sustainable.energy.sa.gov.au
Search “wind” for a great breakdown of designs, background information and international perspective.

Minerals Management Service http://www.mms.gov
Good resource on renewable and nonrenewable energy (offshore) information. Interresting kids page and
MMS teachers/education page: http://www.mms.gov/omm/pacific/kids/teachers.htm 
(Includes materials, teacher workshops, activities, grants, and internships for students).

National Energy Education Development http://www.need.org
Promotes energy conscious and educated society by creating effective networks of students, educators, business, government and community leaders to design and deliver objective, multi-sided energy education programs. Developed “Ocean Energy” booklet for Mineral Management Service. 

Energy for Keeps http://energyforkeeps.org/teachers.html
Website created by the Energy Education Group that offers free downloadable information and student activities about electricity from renewable energy.

Geothermal Education Office http://geothermal.marin.org
Information-rich site about Geothermal Energy.  Free comprehensive slide show and “ask an expert” service.  Classroom resources are available for sale.

Peak Studentshttp://www.peakstudents.org
Program that offers energy education resources to teachers/schools.  Teachers must join the program to participate.  Information about renewable and alternative energy available on the site, as well as energy computer games.

California Energy Commission http://energyquest.ca.gov
The Energy Quest site offers energy information, games, a library, suggestions for science projects, many links to other organizations, and access to professional development for teachers.

A+ for Energyhttp://www.aplusforenergy.com
Grants and scholarships for preK-12 teachers to improve energy education and conservation offered by BP.