Energy Quest

Table of Contents

1. The Mission
2. Group Roles
3. Requirements and Final Product
4. Energy Quiz
5. Introduction to Energy
6. Defining Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources
7. Researching Renewable Resources
   • Solar
   • Wind
   • Biomass
   • Geothermal
   • Hydropower
8. Researching Non-Renewable Resources
   • Coal
   • Natural Gas
   • Oil
   • Nuclear
9. Energy Conservation
10. Other Energy Resources

    ---

    The Mission:

    Each group of students is to become an expert on one of the following sources of energy:

    • Biomass
    • Geothermal
    • Solar
    • Hydropower
    • Wind
    • Petroleum
    • Natural Gas
    • Coal
    • Nuclear Energy

    ---

    Group Roles:

    Group members will have a specific roles to play:

    Historian:

    • Research the historical beginnings, past, present, and future use.

    Engineer:

    • How is energy created from this source?
    • How does this energy get to homes? Cars?
    • How does it work?

    Economist:

    • What is the availability of this type of energy?
    • Where does it come from? How much is it used?
    • Is it reaching its market potential?
    • What are the costs?

    Environmentalist:

    • What are the environmental benefits of this type of energy?
    • What are the environmental costs?
    • Do the benefits out weigh the costs?

    Maine Applications: This section is a cooperative effort between all group members.

    • How is this energy used in Maine?
    • Is it available here? What is the cost?
    • Other information is also accepted.

    ---

    Requirements and Final Product:

    Each person will research the required information for their source of energy. As a team, you will produce a presentation to the class that reports all of the required information from above. Possibilities include: PowerPoint, Display Board (3 sided), Newspaper

    
    A bibliography is required.
    Use multiple resources!
    Resources must be documented!
    Take notes. Do not cut and paste information.

    Basic Requirements:
    Correct use of grammar, writing mechanics, and writings skills.
    Neatness is a must.
    Graphics and design are important.

    ---

    What do you know?

    Take a quiz to find out where you stand on your knowledge of energy?

    Energy Quiz
    Energy Quiz
    A quiz designed for 9 and 10 yr. olds. Let's see how you do.

    What is energy?

    • What is Energy?
    • The Energy Story: Introduction

    ---

    What are nonrenewable and renewable resources?

    • Renewable Energy Resources
    • Non-Renewable Energy Resources

    ---

    Researching Renewable Energies

    • Learning About Renewable Energy
    • Renewable Energy Education Module
    • Pure Green Energy
      In today's world there are many new ways to create energy: Biomass, Wind, Solar, Hydro and more. PureGreen Energy is "proud to be the first local energy supplier to offer 100% renewable electric energy." PureGreen Energy is now available as an option for all Maine residents and businesses. PureGreen Energy is made up of a variety of environmentally friendly resources.
    • Enviromental Benefits of Renewable Energy

    Solar Energy

    • Energy Information Administration: Solar Energy
    • The Energy Story: Solar Energy
    • Rufus's Solar and Efficient Neighborhood
    • Solar Energy: Tapping into Earth's largest energy resource
    • Maine Solar House
    • Solar Power: What is it?
      This Australian based site answers questions such as: What Is It? and How Does It Work? It also looks at the advantages and disadvantages, use in Australia and the world and includes a virtual tour.
    • Solar Energy
      Grapics, easily understood descriptions, covers a variety of points.

    Wind Energy

    • Energy Information Administration: Wind
    • The Energy Story: Wind Power
    • Investigating Wind Energy
    • Creations Demonstrating an Understanding of Wind Energy
    • Wind Energy Quiz
    • Wind In a Minute: Fact Page
    • Wind Energy: What is it?
      This Australian based site answers questions such as: What Is It? and How Does It Work? It also looks at the advantages and disadvantages, use in Australia and the world and includes a virtual tour.
    • Wind Energy
      Grapics, easily understood descriptions, covers a variety of points.

    Biomass

    • Energy Information Administration: Biomass
    • The Energy Story: Biomass
    • Energy Efficiency and Conservation: Information on Maine's Biomass Industry
    • Landfill, Biomass Energy: What is it?
      This Australian based site answers questions such as: What Is It? and How Does It Work? It also looks at the advantages and disadvantages, use in Australia and the world and includes a virtual tour.

    Geothermal

    • Energy Information Administration: Geothermal
    • The Energy Story: Geothermal Energy
    • Geothermal Education Office
    • Geothermal Energy Facts
    • Environmental and Economic Impacts of Geothermal Energy
    • Geothermal Energy: What is It?
      Basics, Frequently Asked Questions, Environmental and Economic Impacts,Geothermal Power Plants and Electricity Production, Direct Use of Geothermal Resources, Geothermal Heat Pumps Five articles on the use of geothermal heat pumps in homes, schools, businesses, and federal buildings, as well as an overview of the environmental and energy benefits
    • Geothermal Energy
      This site has grapics, easily understood descriptions, and covers a variety of points such as: geothermal-related laws and standards, maps of geothermal projects, an interactive U.S. map locating and describing geothermal power plants, direct-use projects, and national laboratories. Also found here is a history of geothermal energy, key historical events, and definitions of commonly used geothermal terms.
    • Geothermal Energy: What is it?
      This Australian based site answers questions such as: What Is It? and How Does It Work? It also looks at the advantages and disadvantages, use in Australia and the world and includes a virtual tour.

    Hydropower (Water)

    • Energy Information Administration: Water
    • The Energy Story: Hydropower
    • The Energy Story: Ocean Energy
    • Water Power
    • Hydroelectric Power: What is it?
      This Australian based site answers questions such as: What Is It? and How Does It Work? It also looks at the advantages and disadvantages, use in Australia and the world and includes a virtual tour.
    • Wave Power: What is it?
      This Australian based site answers questions such as: What Is It? and How Does It Work? It also looks at the advantages and disadvantages, use in Australia and the world and includes a virtual tour.
    • Tidal EnergyGrapics, easily understood descriptions, covers a variety of points.

    Researching Non-Renewable Resources

    Fossil Fuels The Department of Energy's Site on energy with descriptions on coal, oil, and gas.

    • DOE: Fossil Fuel Information
    • The Fossil Fuels: Coal, Oil, and Natural Gas

    Coal

    • Energy Information Administration: Coal
    • How Coal Works: Including Side Effects
    • American Coal Foundation: Coal Quiz
      Excellent information on coal.
    • Coal Power: What is it?
      This Australian based site answers questions such as: What Is It? and How Does It Work? It also looks at the advantages and disadvantages, use in Australia and the world and includes a virtual tour.
    • Coal Energy
      Grapics, easily understood descriptions, covers a variety of points.

    Natural Gas

    • Energy Information Administration: Gas
    • Natural Gas
      Grapics, easily understood descriptions, covers a variety of points.
    • Facts About Natural Gas
    • Natural Gas Background
      This site provides a large number of write-ups on almost anything you could ask about natural gas.
    • The Energy Planet: Natural Gas
    • The Energy Story: Natural Gas Distribution System

    Oil (Petroleum)

    • Energy Information Administration: Petroleum
    • Oil Energy
      Grapics, easily understood descriptions, covers a variety of points.
    • Oil
      Tons of information

    Nuclear

    • The Energy StoryÊChapter 7: Nuclear Energy - Fission and Fusion
    • Nuclear World
      At this site the basics of Nuclear Energy is explained with pictures. Environmental effects are also included.
    • Nuclear Power: What is it?
      This Australian based site answers questions such as: What Is It? and How Does It Work? It also looks at the advantages and disadvantages, use in Australia and the world and includes a virtual tour.
    • Nuclear Energy
      Grapics, easily understood descriptions, covers a variety of points.

    ---

    Energy Conservation

    • The Energy Story: Saving Energy and Energy Conservation
    • Learning About Saving Energy

    ---

    Other Energy Resources

    
    The following sites contain information on most of the sources of energy listed above.
    • Modern Energy
      Covers all energy descriptions.
    • PECO Energy Corporation: Energy Education
      Information on how electricity is made, fossil fuels and how they effect the environment. Also found here is a description of how hydropower, nuclear energy, and natural gas all work to create electricity.
    • Energy Education- by Ergon Energy
      Information on everything.
    • Clean Energy Resources
      Information on everything.
    • The Energy Story: Electrical Transmission
    • The Energy Planet
      Resrouces and information on a variety of energy types.

      ---

    • Central Maine Power: The Enerygy Guide
    • CMP: Hot Water Guide
    • Coal Country Download
    • Energy Ed: On-Line
      This has an Adobe Slide show on renewable resources
    • Chemical Energy
      Description in very simple terms.
    • Transportation Technologies
      This page was made just for boys and girls that want to have fun learning about alternative fuel cars and helping the environment. We have a great story about an electric car and how a young boy helped his daddy buy it. We also have a coloring book that helps you learn about cleaning the air. Have fun with both!!!