Starting with Sustainability Lesson Set: Energy and Renewables
Starting with Sustainability Lesson Set: Energy and Renewables
Starting with Sustainability Lesson Set on Energy and Renewables is a series of activities for youth to explore renewable energy sources that are low-carbon alternatives to fossil fuels and can help communities and the planet. This lesson set includes educator and youth-facing lessons that include a reading and literacy component, investigations, hands-on activities, quotes from STEM professionals, and opportunities for creativity. Supporting supplemental materials include slide decks and worksheets. The materials were inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and draw on content from the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals guide series found at https://ssec.si.edu/global-goals.
Smithsonian Science for Global Goals uses a Discover, Understand, Act framework to guide youth from ideas about real-world problems to actions. The Discover section contextualizes global issues within local communities by encouraging young people to recognize their existing knowledge. In the Understand section, youth gather data on real-world problems through natural and social science research. Finally, youth apply their learning through self-determined actions to help solve problems for their local and global communities.
Full Lesson Slides (Includes Discover, Understand, and Act Activity Slides)
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Standards Connections
Download the Standards Connections PDF
Discover Activity Slides
Download the Discover Activity Slides PowerPoint
SWOT Analysis Worksheet
Download the SWOT Analysis Worksheet PDF
Community Interview Instructions Slides
Download the Community Interview Instructions Slides PowerPoint
Community Energy Observation Slides
Download the Community Energy Observation Slides PowerPoint
Understand Activity Slides
Download the Understand Activity Lesson Slides PowerPoint
Solar Energy Investigation Slides
Download the Solar Energy Investigation Slides PowerPoint
Wind Energy Investigation Slides
Download the Wind Energy Investigation Slides PowerPoint
Hydropower Energy Investigation Slides
Download the Hydropower Energy Investigation Slides PowerPoint
Perspective Research Slides
Download the Perspective Research Slides PowerPoint
Act Activity Slides
Download the Act Activity Slides PowerPoint
Action Planner Worksheet
Download the Action Planner Worksheet PDF
Energy! Guide
Download the Energy! Guide PDF
Sustainable Communities! Guide
Download the Sustainable Communities! Guide PDF
Climate Action! Guide
Download the Climate Action! Guide PDF
Learn more about Smithsonian Science for Global Goals
Visit the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals website
Check out more Starting with Sustainability Lesson Sets
Visit the Starting with Sustainability Lesson Sets Landing Page
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