Hydropower/STEM/Resources/Exploring Hydroelectricity

From Open Energy Information
 STEM Resources

Exploring Hydroelectricity

Source: The National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project

Description: A kit-based unit for secondary students that includes teacher and student guides containing comprehensive background information on hydropower, ocean energy technologies, and electricity. Students will build a turbine generation model, and will investigate case studies, a history of hydropower timeline, and information on careers in the hydropower industry. The curriculum includes hands-on, inquiry-based explorations, group presentations, and a cooperative learning activity focusing on ways to use hydropower to increase electricity generation for a local community. The kit contains most of the materials needed to conduct the inquiry-based activities. Several activities in the unit are multidisciplinary and are appropriate for language arts and social studies classes.

Topics explored: potential and kinetic energy; moving water is a renewable energy source; dams; harnessing and converting the energy in moving water; new technologies for harnessing the energy in ocean tides, waves, and currents; advantages and disadvantages of hydropower

Education Level

• High School

• College

Resource Type

• Curricula, Pacing Guides, Lesson Plans

Subject

• Engineering

Topic

• Energy Basics

• Hydrology

• Careers

• Hydropower Facilities