Energy Alternatives Explorations
For centuries, people have chosen to fuel economic growth by burning fossil fuels. There are alternatives. Some have been in use for centuries.
Explore the alternatives and identify the ones that are appropriate for your community.

Directions: Use the linked web resources to answer the questions. Use the Go Menu of your browser to return to this hunt page.
To create an answer sheet.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory	Energy Resources	Get Energized	Energy Korner	Fuels - ThinkQuest
series on PBS - Energy (Use the episodes drop down menu )		States and Energy Initiatives - Governors Association Conf. CSPAN
US Senate Hearing on Energy Security		Making Sparks - Alternative Energy		Gassing Up With Garbage
No Furnaces but Heat Aplenty in ‘Passive Houses’ NYT 12/27/08		Powering a town with manure		Hydrogen Powers Family's car and home
The Big Energy Gamble - NOVA free, online videos		Calculating the Power of the Wind		| Fuel or Future Now - auto fuels activities

1. Tidal - Write 5 important facts regarding Tidal power.

Is it renewable?

Is this a viable choice for your community? Explain.

How did George Washington use the force of water to power work?

2. Solar - Write 5 facts about solar power.

Can solar power be used effectively, where you live, to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels? Explain.

3. Wind - Write 5 facts about wind power. Electricity from the Wind

Can wind power be used effectively where you live to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels?

Name two classes of animals that are potentially negatively impacted by wind turbines. (Harness a search engine)

Give two examples, from the past, of wind being used to power work.

4. Biomass - Write 5 facts about biomass power.

Biomass also helps deal with an environmental issue. Name it.

List examples of the use of biomass energy in your state. (Harness a search engine)

5. Gas Hydrate - Write 4 facts about Gas hydrate.

6. Hydrogen - Write 4 facts about hydrogen as an alternative fuel.

7. The efficient use of energy will reduce our demand for power.
Deliberate conservation is the first essential step in declaring fossil fuel independence.

List at least 4 ways you can reduce your energy use.
EERE Consumer's guide | Energy Star | Energy Hogs | Energy Savers

8. Name an Alternative Energy Project in your state or commonwealth.

Conclude. Read The New Power Generation Wired May 2005.

How have hygriders adapted to energy challenges? Which energy adaptations will work in your community?

"Nothing will ever be attempted, if all possible objections must first be overcome." - Samuel Johnson

Extras:

Energy Light bulbs compare/contrast Activity | Maine Solar House = already there

Considering Energy use of Personal Electronics

Energy Saving - Survey - Chart - Action exercise | Mapping Renewable Energy, Rooftop by Rooftop - Time, 12/22/08

Is the Answer Blowing in the Wind - Siting a Wind Farm project

High School Student is Biofuel Whiz-kid | 12-year-old Revolutionizes the Solar Cell

Garrett Yazzie, 13, invents solar heater for his family's home | Junk Yard Genius

Solar Decathlon	Alternative Energy - problem based learning
Wind Power History	Wired: A Day in the Life of Energy
Energy Sourcebooks - free energy education materials	Take the energy quiz
Saving on Home Energy Use Activity	Explore Efficient Energy Uses
Project Energy	Check out the High Performance Zion Visitor Center - Get it done off the grid!
Wind Energy at Science Friday	Renewable Energy
Sunlight Angles	Smart Meter Plan to save on electricity
Electricity from the East River - video from New York Times	Possibilities of Solar Energy - video from New York Times
Energy Explained	Green Energy online videos
sciencenetlinks	Salt water as fuel?	Kids Invent
PowerUp!	Solve a Science Mystery - Select one
Energy Plans and their impact on you	Crude Oil is more than gasoline
Explore the Theater of Electricity at Museum of Science, Boston	Oil Production Examining History pbl
"WaterPower"- A Curriculum Module	Energy Information Office Official Statistics of US Government
Who killed the electric car?	How efficient are you?
Learn about a Static Generator - http://www.alaska.net/~natnkell/staticgen.htm	Nova Science Now - Fuel Cells - Hydrogen fuel cell cars promise pollution-free driving
An abundance of resources about alternative energy	Compare Contrast Lightbulbs Activity
Can We Run The World Off The Sun? NPR	Alaska: The Senator and the Oil Man
The Sun - renewable energy source Activity	Repower America
Science & Tech jobs - Futures Channel	Learn about clean coal technology
Einstein's Letter	Geothermal Drilling Safeguards Imposed

Consider Consequences:

Power plants often use water for cooling. They discharge warmed water into the environment.
Is warmed water harmful to the environment? Support your answer.

The Scientific Method - watch this report about the challenges of air quality in one community.
Why would you move there or not move there?

The giving shade tree - Are the trees around your school planted in a way that will reduce energy demands?

utd 7/2008 Posted 4/2006 by Cynthia J. O'Hora
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 License.

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