Quick Look
Grade Level: 8 (6-8)
Time Required: 45 minutes
Expendable Cost/Group: US $0.00
Group Size: 3
Activity Dependency:
Subject Areas: Physical Science, Science and Technology
Quick Look 
- Grade Level:
- 8 (6 – 8)
- Time Required:
- 45 minutes
- Group Size:
- 3
- Subject Areas:
-
Physical Science Science and Technology
Summary
Posters are provided for several different energy conversion systems. Students are provided with cards that give the name and a description of each of the components in an energy system. They match these with the figures on the diagram. Since the groups look at different systems, they also describe their results to the class to share their knowledge.Engineering Connection
Energy "systems" developed by engineers are comprised of numerous components that work together to get the energy content of the energy resource converted into a form that is useful to the user and delivered to the customer. All of the components in the system must be carefully designed to work together effectively.
Learning Objectives
After this activity, students should be able to"
- Identify and describe the parts of an energy system.
- Identify their respective environmental impacts.
Educational Standards
Each TeachEngineering lesson or activity is correlated to one or more K-12 science,
technology, engineering or math (STEM) educational standards.
All 100,000+ K-12 STEM standards covered in TeachEngineering are collected, maintained and packaged by the Achievement Standards Network (ASN),
a project of D2L (www.achievementstandards.org).
In the ASN, standards are hierarchically structured: first by source; e.g., by state; within source by type; e.g., science or mathematics;
within type by subtype, then by grade, etc.
Each TeachEngineering lesson or activity is correlated to one or more K-12 science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) educational standards.
All 100,000+ K-12 STEM standards covered in TeachEngineering are collected, maintained and packaged by the Achievement Standards Network (ASN), a project of D2L (www.achievementstandards.org).
In the ASN, standards are hierarchically structured: first by source; e.g., by state; within source by type; e.g., science or mathematics; within type by subtype, then by grade, etc.
NGSS: Next Generation Science Standards - Science
-
The transfer of energy can be tracked as energy flows through a natural system.
(Grades 6 - 8)
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-
Energy may take different forms (e.g. energy in fields, thermal energy, energy of motion).
(Grades 6 - 8)
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International Technology and Engineering Educators Association - Technology
-
Technological systems can be connected to one another.
(Grades
6 -
8)
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-
Energy can be used to do work, using many processes.
(Grades
6 -
8)
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State Standards
National Science Education Standards - Science
-
Energy is a property of many substances and is associated with heat, light, electricity, mechanical motion, sound, nuclei, and the nature of a chemical. Energy is transferred in many ways.
(Grades
5 -
8)
More Details
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Materials List
Each group needs:
- 1 energy system poster
- cards with labels and explanations of system components
- worksheet, one per student
- Energy Systems Environmental Impacts sheet
Worksheets and Attachments
Visit [www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/cla_activity3_energy_systems] to print or download.Introduction/Motivation
We just learned about energy sources. The systems you looked at were generally one component of an overall energy system that is comprised of many components.
- Go over the system diagram for one of the systems the class will not be doing. (For example, reviewing coal combustion relating to the sterno/pinwheel combustion demo would be appropriate; see lesson 4.)
- Indicate that the real-life energy system also includes coal mining and transportation and the electricity distribution grid to get the energy from its real source (coal in the ground) into electricity to power your TV.
- Instruct the class to keep in mind the environmental impacts of their respective energy source/system during the course of the activity.
Procedure
Before class:
- Print and cut apart system cards.
- Print system diagram posters (large poster size format is best) and post around the room. (we laminate them for repeated use in different classes and years)
- Make copies of the worksheet.
- Print and cut apart the Energy Systems Environmental Impacts sheet.
With the students:
1. Energy System Diagram Activity
- Explain that the students will have to match the system component and its description with its location on the diagram they are given.
- They will also have to draw a block diagram for their system, identifying the starting and ending form and state for each system component.
- Divide the class into groups of three students each.
- In most classes, we only used the wind, solar, and hydro diagrams, but other diagrams can also be used.
- Go around and assist each group as needed.
- Once all students have figured out their diagrams, have each group present it to the class.They can do the block diagram on the board. Have each group briefly discuss the environmental impacts of their system to the class.
- (optional) Pass out the completed handouts for each system.
2. Close with overall assessment of what an energy system is and its general attributes (input, output, conversion process, efficiency).
3. Discuss again how this overall lesson on sources can be used for the unit project.
Assessment
Presentations: Have students present their posters to the class and describe the system components, functions and environmental impacts.
Worksheets: Have students turn in their completed worksheets with block flow diagrams showing the energy forms and conversions for each component.
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This lesson provides students with an overview of the electric power industry in the United States. Students also become familiar with the environmental impacts associated with a variety of energy sources.
Students learn and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of renewable and non-renewable energy sources. They also learn about our nation's electric power grid and what it means for a residential home to be "off the grid."
References
"Environmental Impact by Energy Source." Energy4me RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Aug. 2014. http://www.energy4me.org/energy-facts/environmental-protection/environmental-impact-by-source/.
Energy Information Administration, EIA Kid's Page – Energy Facts. US Department of Energy. Accessed December 29, 2008. http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/index.html
Other Related Information
This activity was originally published by the Clarkson University K-12 Project Based Learning Partnership Program and may be accessed athttp://internal.clarkson.edu/highschool/k12/project/energysystems.html.
Copyright
© 2013 by Regents of the University of Colorado; original © 2008 Clarkson UniversityContributors
Susan Powers; Jan DeWaters; and a number of Clarkson and St. Lawrence University students in the K-12 Project Based Learning Partnership ProgramSupporting Program
Office of Educational Partnerships, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NYAcknowledgements
This activity was developed under National Science Foundation grant nos. DUE 0428127 and DGE 0338216. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policies of the National Science Foundation, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.
Last modified: August 16, 2023
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