Educator Resources
Welcome to the PRIMRE Educator Resources database of resources, lesson plans, and related materials to help educators learn and teach about marine energy. We want to make it easy for educators at all levels to quickly find curricula, activities, and other tools that will help energize students about a marine-powered future and related concepts.
Refine your resource search by clicking on Education Level, Resource Type, Subject, and/or Topic below and selecting from the drop-down menus. You can also search by keyword.
A Primer on Wave Energy: Wave Energy Devices
Description: A 2-page illustrated handout that depicts various wave energy devices
Topics explored: oscillating water column, submerged pressure differential, overtopping device, rotating mass, bulge wave, point absorber, wave attenuator, hybrid point absorber, surge converterAquatic Renewable Energy Technologies (Aqua-RET) E-Learning Tool
Description: Aquatic Renewable Energy Technologies (Aqua-RET) is an e-learning tool promoting aquatic renewable technologies. The site, which is funded by the European Commission, offers many illustrations, free handouts, animations, and teacher guides
Topics explored: rivers, tides, waves, tidal streams, tidal impoundment, eddies, foundationsBuoyancy (Lesson Plan)
Description: Students will: Determine variables that affect buoyancy, understand how mass and surface area affect an object's ability to float, form hypotheses and ask questions about how objects float
Buoyancy (Worksheet 2)
Description: Why Does It Float? Exercise for evaluating buoyancy of household objects (Worksheet)
Buoyancy (Worksheet)
Description: Students will: Determine variables that affect buoyancy, understand how mass and surface area affect an object's ability to float, form hypotheses and ask questions about how objects float (Worksheet)
Can Underwater Turbines Solve Our Energy Problems? (Video)
Description: This video describes challenges with harnessing energy with underwater turbines
Topics explored: tidal energy, spring tides, neap tides, effects on marine mammalsCatch the Wave!
Description: There is a lot of energy that can be harvested from moving water. Energy can be extracted from water rushing over a waterfall and from the regular patterns of the ocean's tides. The energy that propels waves forward in the oceans can also be extracted and used. But can wave energy power plants be built anywhere there is water? In this energy science fair project, you will use ocean buoy data and mathematics to determine which locations along the coasts of the United States can sustain a wave energy power system.
Topics explored: wave energy; marine energy; wavelength; frequency; environmental considerations; ocean energy; ocean energy project sitingClean Water From Ocean Waves
Description: NREL and Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut created a series of animation videos to showcase the types and opportunities of marine energy as part of Mystic’s Renewable Ocean Energy exhibit developed in collaboration with NREL, the U.S. Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies Office, and industry partners.
Topics explored: This animated video tells the story of the West African island nation of Cabo Verde, which struggled to secure safe drinking water until Resolute Marine installed an innovative desalination system on the ocean floor. The system, which is powered by wave energy, reduces the nation's dependence on diesel fuel.Connecting People to the Power of the Ocean (Video)
Description: A recorded webinar with experts discussing ocean energy
Topics explored: technical power potential of marine energy resources, ocean energy FAQsDecoding Science
Description: This interactive website's content is based on Reproducibility and Replicability in Science, a NASEM consensus report funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the National Science Foundation and vetted by experts in the practice, interpretation, and application of science.
Topics explored: the Scientific Process, Building Scientific Knowledge, the Role of Repetition and Consensus, and Using ScienceDo As the Romans: Construct an Aqueduct
Description: Students work with specified materials to create aqueduct components that can transport two liters of water across a short distance in the classroom. The design challenge is to create an aqueduct that can supply Aqueductis, a (hypothetical) Roman city, with clean water for private homes, public baths and fountains as well as crop irrigation.
Topics explored: Civil engineering; agriculture; environmental considerations; historyECN Marine Renewable Energy Syllabus
Description: Undergraduate course syllabus on marine renewable energy including lessons, textbooks, and learning objectives
Topics explored: marine energy; tidal energy; offshore wind; ocean energy; electricity generation; wave energyAn Ocean of Opportunity
Description: An in-depth introduction to marine energy
Topics explored: Why we need the blue economy, blue energy careers, pro/cons of ocean energy and in-depth explanations of different marine energy typesEnergy 101: Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy (Video)
Description: See how marine and hydrokinetic technologies harness the energy of the ocean's waves, tides, and currents and convert it into electricity to power our homes, buildings, and cities.
Topics explored: kinetic energy and how to extract it from moving waterEnergy Engineers Session 6: Energy from the Ocean
Description: In this activity from Mystic Aquarium's Energy Engineers curriculum, mentees will learn about energy from the ocean. Then they will build a model of their own ocean energy invention. The Energy Engineers curriculum is part of Mystic Aquarium's STEM Mentoring program and is designed for youth ages 6 to 10 working with a mentor in small groups of four mentees per mentor. However, this activity is adaptable to a wide range of ages and is appropriate for youth in elementary and middle school. The "Session 6: Energy from the Ocean" download includes the Program Coordinator Guide, Mentor Manual, and Mentee Manual needed for the activity.
Topics explored: Describe how energy from ocean waves and currents can be harnessed and converted into electricity; Give examples of ocean energy devices; and Design and build a model of an ocean energy device.Energy Engineers Session 9: Renewable Energy Jobs
Description: In this activity from Mystic Aquarium's Energy Engineers curriculum, mentees will learn about renewable energy jobs. Then they will play a card game to explore some renewable energy projects and the people who work on them. The Energy Engineers curriculum is part of Mystic Aquarium's STEM Mentoring program and is designed for youth ages 6 to 10 working with a mentor in small groups of four mentees per mentor. However, this activity is adaptable to a wide range of ages and is appropriate for youth in elementary, middle, and high school. The "Session 9: Renewable Energy Jobs" download includes the Program Coordinator Guide, Mentor Manual, Mentee Manual, and Renewable Energy Quartet Cards needed for the activity. The Renewable Energy Quartets Cards are also available as a standalone download.
Topics explored: Name and describe various jobs in the field of renewable energy; Explain how various renewable energy projects work; and Describe how people with different backgrounds and skill sets contribute to the field of renewable energy.Energy from the Oceans: The New Renewable
Description: Energy from the Oceans: The New Renewable is a secondary school curriculum in six lessons:
Lesson 1: Why do we need renewable energy? Lesson 2: How is electricity generated? Lesson 3: How do we identify ocean currents with the best potential for producing energy? Lesson 4: Harnessing energy from ocean currents: the new renewable Lesson 5: What are the environmental impacts of ocean energy? Lesson 6: The future of ocean energy
Topics explored: wave energy; marine energy; tide energy; environmental considerations; electricity generation; ocean energyEnvironmental Effects of Marine Renewable Energy
Exploring Marine Hydrokinetics Teacher Guide
Description: Hands-on and critical thinking activities that help secondary students to explore the science, technology, and engineering involved with harnessing energy from the movement of water in the world’s oceans.
Topics explored: Potential and kinetic energy; moving water as a renewable energy source; technologies for harnessing the energy in ocean tides, waves, and currents; marine hydrokinetics as an emerging industry with great possibility for energy generation and career opportunity in the United States; advantages and challenges to deploying marine hydrokinetics technologies.Exploring Ocean Energy and Resources
Description: Informational text, hands-on explorations, and critical thinking and engineering design activities introduce students to the sources of energy found offshore and the non-energy related mineral resources found in our ocean environments
Topics explored: various forms of ocean energyExploring our Fluid Earth
Description: Exploring Our Fluid Earth is based on the nationally recognized Fluid Earth/Living Ocean aquatic science curriculum. The Exploring Our Fluid Earth curriculum is grounded in the inquiry approach to learning and examines marine and freshwater systems by studying the influence of water on the planet. The Exploring our Fluid Earth modules comprise the essential elements of a year-long course in marine science at the middle and high school levels.
Topics explored: Modules focus on the physics, chemistry, biology, ecology, and technology of aquatic systems and on the researchers who study them. Each module comprises a series of related lessons that build conceptual understanding. The integration of disciplines provides multiple entry points to the curriculum materials, which teachers can approach from the perspective of their respective disciplines. The modules also provide a unique opportunity for subject area teachers (i.e., biology, chemistry, physics) to utilize portions of the curriculum in their teaching—to teach their course concepts in the context of the aquatic environment.Folke Center Wave Energy Course
Description: Course overview of a weeklong workshop on wave energy theory, project construction, and team based example activities
Topics explored: workshop, ocean energy; electricity generation; wave energy; corrosion; mooringHands-on Activity: Falling Water
Description: Students drop water from different heights to demonstrate the conversion of water's potential energy to kinetic energy.
Topics explored: kinetic energy conversionHonors Marine Biology Course
Description: Mark Friedman has made his entire Marine Biology course available for download. This material is aligned with the Castro/Huber Marine Biology Textbook. Each chapter includes text, photo, presentation and video materials. Tests and exam questions are provided. Projects, labs and links to related materials elsewhere on the internet are available for some chapters. The course has been broken down into smaller pieces to help our friends in other countries with slow internet.
Topics explored: marine biology; invertebrates; fish; ocean environment; marine invertebrates; hydrologyHow Wave Power Could Be The Future Of Energy
How Waves Could Power a Clean Energy Future
Description: In 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy announced $25 million in funding for eight wave energy projects to test their technology at PacWave. This 15-minute video provides interviews with a number of these companies, which all have different approaches to turning the oscillatory motion of the waves into electrical power.
Topics explored: the oscillatory nature of wave energy; marine energy companies receiving U.S. Department of Energy funding for their technologies; wave energy in Europe, marine energy costsHydrokinetic Energy Class I Introduction to Hydrokinetic Energy
Description: Sections cover The History and Evolution of Hydrokinetic Power Production and The Future of Hydrokinetic Power Production
Topics explored: permanent magnets and copper coils, dams, hydroelectric power plants, traditional hydropower vs. hydrokinetic power, turbine types, hydrofoils, currentsHydrokinetic Energy Class II Introduction to Hydrokinetic Energy
Description: Sections cover Basic Forms of Ocean Energy and Technology and Basic Components of Hydrokinetic Technology
Topics explored: types of ocean energy converters, current energy converters, wave energy converters, ocean thermal energy conversion, offshore wind energy, salinity gradient, rotors, gearboxesHydrokinetic Energy Class III Introduction to Hydrokinetic Energy
Description: Sections cover Ocean Currents System Design and Construction and Systems Installation, Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Removal
Topics explored: types of ocean energy currents, computational fluid dynamics and turbine design, turbine componentsHydrokinetic Energy Class IV Introduction to Hydrokinetic Energy
Description: Sections cover Tidal Currents, System, Design, and Construction
Topics explored: tidal currents, gravitational pull of the moon, tidal bulges, tidal ranges,tidal barrages, kinetic energy, Betz limitHydrokinetic Energy Class IX Hydrokinetic Energy Technician
Description: Sections cover Introduction to Fluid Mechanics
Topics explored: hydrodynamics, Bernoulli's Equation, fluids, compressive forceHydrokinetic Energy Class V Introduction to Hydrokinetic Energy
Description: Sections cover River Currents, System, Design, and Construction; History and Evolution of Hydrokinetic Power Production
Topics explored: hydropower plants, turbine types, dams, current energy converters, sea carpets, water wheels, pump storageHydrokinetic Energy Class VI Introduction to Hydrokinetic Energy
Description: Sections cover Wave Energy, System, Design, and Construction
Topics explored: various types of and locations of wave energy convertersHydrokinetic Energy Class VII Introduction to Hydrokinetic Energy
Description: Sections cover Test Equipment and Data Logging of Turbine Output
Topics explored: test equipment, logging and analyzing energy output of current energy converters, flow test vessels, test sites, First Law of Thermodynamics, grid connections, power analyzersHydrokinetic Energy Class VIII Introduction to Hydrokinetic Energy
Description: Sections cover Site Selection and Resource Assessment
Topics explored: tidal resource, riverine resource, Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers, tidal flow characteristics, Betz LimitHydrokinetic Energy Class X Hydrokinetic Energy Technician
Description: Sections cover Assessment of Installation Sites
Topics explored: types of currents, flow data, tidal flow, flow velocity, river currents, typography and installation sitesHydrokinetic Energy Class XI Hydrokinetic Energy Technician
Description: Sections cover Types of Current Profilers and Deployment Methods
Topics explored: Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler, Doppler shift, advantages and disadvantages of Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers, deployment methodsHydrokinetic Energy Class XII Introduction to Hydrokinetic Energy
Description: Sections cover Creating Energy Production Estimates
Topics explored: tidal flow velocity, Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers, illustrating flow characteristics, Betz LimitHydrokinetic Energy Class XIII Hydrokinetic Energy Technician
Description: Sections cover Flow Measurement Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers Set-Up
Topics explored: types of profilers, Doppler shift, Matlab, fluid mechanicsImmersive Water Experience
Description: This video, produced by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, explores marine energy.
Topics explored: What is marine energy? Why is it important? What are types of marine energy resources and technologies? What are considerations and challenges? How are National Renewable Energy Laboratory researchers working to address these challenges?International Certification of Marine Energy Technology
Description: This technical course discusses the aspects and advantages of international certification in the context of the IECRE (International Electrotechnical Commission renewable energy) Conformity Assessment System, including conformity assessment, certification schemes, the parties involved, rules of procedure, and how to apply conformity assessment and international standards to reduce risks. The course is designed for technology developers, young professionals, students, consultants, academics, and researchers.
Topics explored: the value of conformity assessment; the parties involved in conformity assessment; certification schemes and certification systems; the acceptance process under the IECRE; the interpretation of normative documents, like standards and technical specifications; the marine energy International Standards and Technical Specifications; the organization responsible for the development of normative documents the marine energy; the interrelationship between the certification process and the application of international standards.Introduction to Offshore Renewable Energy
Description: This introductory course is designed to guide professionals in their journey through the emerging marine energy sector. Participants will be able to connect the dots between their field of expertise and this rapidly developing market.
Topics explored: The basic principles of offshore renewable energy; current developments and future outlooks of offshore renewable energy technologies; levelized cost of electricity (LCOE); offshore renewable energy technologies, such as tidal energy, wave energy, and thermal energy conversion; stakeholders and investors; examples of business models; capital support, revenue support, risk assessment, and mitigation.Kitchen Science: Buoyancy Video
Description: This video and hands-on activity answer the question, "How do big, heavy boats float?" by exploring density.
Topics explored: buoyancy, Archimedes' Buoyancy Principle, water densityKitchen Science: Upwelling Experiment
Description: This video and hands-on activity answer the question, "Why is the water sometimes cold in the summer?" by using an at-home experiment to demonstrate upwelling.
Topics explored: upwelling, water and wavesKitchen Science: Waves and a Wave Machine Video
Description: This video and hands-on activity answer the question, "Does water move with waves as they travel?" by using an at-home wave machine to demonstrate.
Topics explored: water and waves, wave machine, energy transfer, matter transfer, orbital motionLearn about Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)
MaRINET2 Short Courses
Description: A repository of short courses presented by representatives from various European research institutions
Topics explored: integrated tank testing, hydrodynamics of fixed and floating offshore wind turbine foundations; reliability and risk analysis of ORE technologies, test and verification processes from tanks to the sea.Make Electricity with Waves
Description: PMEC followers down under make electricity with waves. This wave energy device captures kinetic energy in the waves and converts it into electricity. Ethan and Justin show how to build a simple wave energy device with easily available materials. This video is ideal for children who want to learn and create a wave buoy for a science project, or for those who wonder how it works.
Topics explored: kinetic energy conversion; wave energy; activityMarine Energy Adventure: Collision Risk
Marine Invertebrates (Lesson Plan)
Description: Students in high school will explore marine invertebrates and their different characteristics (Lesson Plan)
Topics explored: ocean environment; marine invertebrates; hydrologyMarine Invertebrates (Plankton)
Description: Students in high school will explore marine invertebrates and their different characteristics (Plankton Worksheet)
Topics explored: plankton; ocean environment; marine invertebrates; hydrologyMarine Invertebrates (Worksheet)
Description: Students in high school will explore marine invertebrates and their different characteristics (Worksheet)
Topics explored: ocean environment; marine invertebrates; hydrologyMarine Power and Propulsion
Description: This course discusses the selection and evaluation of commercial and naval ship power and propulsion systems. It will cover the analysis of propulsors, prime mover thermodynamic cycles, propeller-engine matching, propeller selection, waterjet analysis, and reviews alternative propulsors. The course also investigates thermodynamic analyses of Rankine, Brayton, Diesel, and Combined cycles, reduction gears and integrated electric drive. Battery operated vehicles and fuel cells are also discussed. The term project requires analysis of alternatives in propulsion plant design for given physical, performance, and economic constraints. Graduate students complete different assignments and exams.
Topics explored: ship power; propellers; propulsion electricity generation; fuel cellsMechanical Advantage with Pulleys (Answer Sheet)
Description: Students will: determine the variables that affect a pulley system, understand how pulleys can be used to change the direction that is pulled to lift a heavy object, demonstrate an understanding of how pulleys make work easier by exchanging an increase in the distance pulled for a decrease in the requisite force, demonstrate an understanding of how Newton’s Second Law of Motion is used to determine a given force, and practice converting between different scientific units (Answer Sheet)
Mechanical Advantage with Pulleys (Lesson Plan)
Description: Students will: determine the variables that affect a pulley system, understand how pulleys can be used to change the direction that is pulled to lift a heavy object, demonstrate an understanding of how pulleys make work easier by exchanging an increase in the distance pulled for a decrease in the requisite force, demonstrate an understanding of how Newton’s Second Law of Motion is used to determine a given force, and practice converting between different scientific units
Mechanical Advantage with Pulleys (Worksheet)
Description: Students will: determine the variables that affect a pulley system, understand how pulleys can be used to change the direction that is pulled to lift a heavy object, demonstrate an understanding of how pulleys make work easier by exchanging an increase in the distance pulled for a decrease in the requisite force, demonstrate an understanding of how Newton’s Second Law of Motion is used to determine a given force, and practice converting between different scientific units (Worksheet)
Mystic Aquarium: STEM Mentoring: Energy Engineers Session 6: Energy from the Ocean
Description: Mentees will learn about energy from the ocean. Then they will build a model of their own ocean energy invention. The STEM Mentoring program is designed for youth ages 6 to 10 working with a mentor in small groups of four mentees per mentor; however, this activity is adaptable to a wide range of ages and is appropriate for youth in elementary and middle school.
Topics explored: Describe how energy from ocean waves and currents can be harnessed and converted into electricity; Give examples of ocean energy devices; and Design and build a model of an ocean energy device.Description: a recorded lecture
Topics explored: kinetic energy, wave energyDescription: a recorded lecture
Topics explored: wave energy, particlesOcean Currents
Description: This unit introduces students to forces that force ocean currents and allows students to explore what thermohaline and wind-driven currents in the ocean look like and why they are important. The material should take 1.5 to 2 weeks to cover and culminates in an experience that allows the students to act as NOAA oceanographers, using a real NOAA model and their knowledge of ocean currents to remediate an oil spill.
Topics explored:
Students understand how ocean currents work by investigating density, the Coriolis effect and wind-driven currents through hands on activities. Students can relate density changes and wind to currents observable in the ocean. Students predict how changing conditions affect ocean currents. Using an actual NOAA simulation model and their knowledge of ocean currents, students will be able to design a response to a simulated oil spill.Ocean Energy Could Be the Wave of the Future
Description: Science News for Students is a resource for educators. This article describes the promise and potential drawbacks of several marine energy technologies and relevant ongoing research projects.
Topics explored: wave energy; marine energy; tide energy; computer models; environmental considerationsOcean Energy Glossary
Description: a 14-page glossary of ocean energy terms
Topics explored: definitions of ocean energy termsOcean Literacy: The Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts of Ocean Sciences for Learners of All Ages
Description: Ocean literacy is an understanding of the ocean’s influence on you—and your influence on the ocean. There are seven Essential Principles of Ocean Literacy comprising 45 Fundamental Concepts. The Ocean Literacy Framework comprises the Ocean Literacy Guide, the Ocean Literacy Scope and Sequence for Grades K–12, and the Alignment of Ocean Literacy to the Next Generation Science Standards. This 3-part framework presents a vision of an ocean-literate society and outlines the knowledge required to be considered ocean literate.
Topics explored: Principles as follows:
- Earth has one big ocean with many features.
- The ocean makes Earth habitable.
- The ocean is largely unexplored.
- The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of Earth.
- The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
- The ocean is a major influence on weather and climate.
- The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected.
Ocean Power: Four Activities
Description: A student activity/lesson plan
Topics explored: How can you put the energy of ocean tides to work? How does an OTEC plant work? Can water boil at room temperatures? How can I build a wave energy device?Ocean Renewable Energy Applications
Description: Technology overview of the various methods for ocean, wave, and tidal energy conversion and collection, including manufacturers of relevant equipment
Topics explored: energy conversion, ocean energy; electricity generation; marine energy; wave energy; tidal energy, offshore wind, floating platformOcean Thermal Energy Conversion
Description: Technology overview of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC),a process or technology for producing energy by harnessing the temperature differences (thermal gradients) between ocean surface waters and deep ocean waters.
Topics explored: ocean thermal energy conversion; electricity generation; marine energy; thermodynamicsOcean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) (Video)
Description: Using engaging animation, this video explores Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), a renewable energy technology that uses the natural temperature difference in oceans to produce clean, reliable electricity. It works best in the tropical, equatorial zone. OTEC can become an important renewable energy source.
Topics explored: how OTEC worksOcean Wave Energy: Introductory lectures by Johannes Falnes
Description: A 60-plus page PDF of a slide deck
Topics explored: wave energy conversion, what is a wave, energy content of waves, seasonal variation, wave powerOcean Waves in a Bottle
Description: Have you ever wondered what causes ocean waves? Create an ocean wave bottle as a fun way to demonstrate a little bit about how waves work. Combine learning about the ocean with a visually appealing sensory bottle for fun and playful learning for kids.
Topics explored: activity; ocean science; wave energy; fluid dynamicsOceans for Beginners
Description: A series of three lessons that set the scene for students who are about to commence the Ocean Plastics 7-11 unit, or as a standalone unit to introduce ocean literacy.
Topics explored: marine ecosystems; marine energy; ocean environmentOff the Grid
Description: 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."
Topics explored: renewable energy; electricity grid; off the grid; electricity generationOffshore Renewable Energy: Environmental Impact
Description: The seventh installment of Deftiq's eight-part training package for the offshore renewable energy sector focuses on the potential environmental impacts of marine energy technologies. The course is designed for technology developers, young professionals, students, academics, researchers, and consultants.
Topics explored: managing potential offshore renewable energy environmental impacts, stressors and receptors, risk retirement, environmental impact assessment, marine spatial planning, environmental laws and legislation, and climate change.One World Ocean
Description: Students learn about ocean currents and the difference between salt and fresh water. Using colored ice cubes, they see how cold and warm water mix and how this mixing causes currents. Students also learn how surface currents occur due to wind streams, how fresh water floats on top of salt water, the difference between water in the ocean and fresh water throughout the planet, and how engineers are involved in the design of ocean water systems for human use.
Topics explored: marine science; ocean science; ocean currents; fluid dynamics; environmental considerationsPacific Marine Energy Center Video Library
Description: The Pacific Marine Energy Center is a consortium of universities focused on responsibly advancing marine renewable energy by expanding scientific understanding, engaging stakeholders, and educating students. The Center offers an extensive library of YouTube videos.
Topics explored: various marine energy research facilities and devices are featuredPower Your House with Water
Description: Students learn how engineers design devices that use water to generate electricity by building model water turbines and measuring the resulting current produced in a motor. Student teams work through the engineering design process to build the turbines, analyze the performance of their turbines and make calculations to determine the most suitable locations to build dams.
Topics explored: water turbine; kinetic energy conversion; dams; activityPower, Work, and the Water Wheel
Description: Civil, geotechnical, environmental, mechanical and electrical engineers collaborate to design and construct dams that generate electricity from the flow of water. When engineers design these dams, called hydroelectric power plants, they calculate the amount of power that can be generated by the plant. Knowing the dam's potential power generation, they can further estimate the maximum rural or urban region that can be supplied with electricity generated from the dam.
Topics explored: hydropower basics; dam engineering; power plants; activityPowering Smallsburg
Description: Students act as engineers by specifying the power plants to build for a community. They are given a budget, an expected power demand from the community, and different power plant options with corresponding environmental effects. Guided by a worksheet, teams work through the hypothetical real-world scenario to arrive at recommendations that they present to the class; group "answers" vary widely, depending on their identified city priorities.
Topics explored: electricity mix; fuel types; power plantsPowering the U.S.
Description: 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.
Topics explored: electricity mix; fuel types; power plantsRenewable Energy Competency Model for Marine Energy
Description: The Renewable Energy Competency Model is another resource to help guide people interested in a renewable energy career. The Employment and Training Administration worked with technical and subject matter experts from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and several industry associations to develop a competency model that supports workforce preparation for jobs in energy technologies. In addition to the model, detailed worksheets to evaluate competencies are available as PDF or Excel downloads.
Topics explored: Credential Competencies, Curriculum Analysis, Employer Analysis, and Gap AnalysisRenewable Ocean Energy Animation
Description: An animation clip that shows various forms of ocean energy
Topics explored: rotating mass, bulge wave, tidal turbine, point absorber, oscillating surge flap, offshore wind turbine, oscillating water columnSlinky in Hand: Make Waves without Getting Wet
Description: With just a Slinky and your hands, model transverse wave resonances as well as longitudinal wave resonances. Learn about nodes and antinodes of motion and compression.
Topics explored: wavesSmart Ocean Planning and the Ocean Economy
Description: An infographic fact sheet that discusses the ocean economy. Includes footnoted resources for more information.
Topics explored: The ocean economy, jobs, shipping, offshore renewable energySpark Squad Comic Book and Activity Sheet
Description: To inspire students across the country to explore renewable energy, NREL partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies Office to create a comic book and educational activity. "Spark Squad" follows middle school students Jasmine, Aria, and Thomas as they learn about joules and marine energy (power generated by wave motion) in preparation for their power fair.
Topics explored: joules, marine energy power, power from wavesStudent Energy Energy System Map
Description: The Energy System map includes an interactive map view, a searchable energy topics index view, and accompanying videos.
Topics explored: climate change, energy justice, climate policy, sustainable goals, all energy sources, production, conversion, transport, distribution, use, and influencesSupergen Offshore Renewable Energy Hub Research Landscape
Description: This interactive web tool allows you to explore the latest information, research, and technical challenges across the offshore wind, wave, and tidal energy sectors. With information drawn from across academia, industry, and policy makers, the tool is intended to provide an open and easily accessible data source of current research within offshore renewable energy that can be used by a range of stakeholders.
Topics explored: Research themes to explore include resource and environment characterization; fluid-structure seabed interaction; materials and manufacturing; sensing, control and electromechanics; survivability, reliability, and design; operations, management, maintenance, and safety; environmental and ecosystem aspects; and marine planning and governance.The Wonder of Wave Gliders
Description: NREL and Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut created a series of animation videos to showcase the types and opportunities of marine energy as part of Mystic’s Renewable Ocean Energy exhibit developed in collaboration with NREL, the U.S. Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies Office, and industry partners.
Topics explored: This animated video tells the story of a solar- and wave-powered wave glider in the Hawaiian Islands that powers recording and transmitting devices and helps whale researchers collect data. The wave gliders also monitor pollution, detect earthquakes, and track endangered species.Tidal Energy Could Be Huge
Description: This video describes tidal energy.
Topics explored: tidal energy, the predictability of tides, tidal stream, tidal range, dams, impacts of tidal energy projects, breeze turbinesTidal Power
Description: Technology overview of techniques to harness tidal energy
Topics explored: tidal energy; kinetic energy conversion; electricity generation; marine energyTidal Power 101 (Video)
Description: This video provides an overview of tidal power, which converts the energy from the natural rise and fall of the tides into electricity.
Topics explored: what causes tides, technologies used to harness tidal energyTireless Tides: Extracting Energy from Ocean Tides
Description: Renewable energy is the energy that is extracted from natural sources, such the Sun (solar), earth (geothermal), wind, and water (hydropower). These sources are renewable because they can be replenished by the same natural sources within a short period of time. Hydropower energy is extracted from moving water, like ocean wave energy and tidal energy. In this energy science fair project, you will make a model of a tidal barrage (also known as a dam) and investigate how emptying the tidal barrage through different-sized tunnels affects energy production.
Topics explored: wave energy; marine energy; ocean energy; tidal energy; renewable energyVideo: Wave Energy Could Slash Our Use of Fossil Fuels
Description: Vice News released an 8-minute video showcasing the abundant opportunities for harnessing the power of waves along the coasts of the United States. The video also points out just how complicated development of the technology to generate electricity from waves can be.
Vice Media Group LLC is an American-Canadian digital media and broadcasting company. Vice News is the news division of the group.
Topics explored: Waves, wave energy, wave energy research, why extracting energy from waves is difficult, the future of wave energyWater 101 (Video)
Description: This video discusses energy harnessed from moving water: hydropower and tidal power
Topics explored: hydropower, tidal power, wave powerWater Chemistry (Lesson Plan)
Description: Students will: learn the fundamental properties of water; learn the proper tools for measuring different properties of water
Topics explored: measurement methods; water chemistry; ocean energy; hydrologyWater Chemistry (Worksheet)
Description: Worksheet for associated lesson plan. Students will: learn the fundamental properties of water; learn the proper tools for measuring different properties of water
Topics explored: measurement methods; water chemistry; ocean energy; hydrologyWater Power
Description: Students observe a model waterwheel to investigate the transformations of energy involved in turning the blades of a hydro-turbine. They work as engineers to create model waterwheels while considering resources such as time and materials, in their designs. Students also discuss and explore the characteristics of hydropower plants.
Topics explored: water wheel; kinetic energy conversion; dams; activityWater Power Hands-On Activity
Description: Students observe a model waterwheel to investigate the transformations of energy involved in turning the blades of a hydro-turbine. They work as engineers to create model waterwheels while considering resources such as time and materials, in their designs. Students also discuss and explore the characteristics of hydropower plants.
Topics explored: a model waterwheel, the transformations of energy involved in turning the blades of a hydro-turbineWaterwheel Work
Description: Students learn the history of the waterwheel and common uses for water turbines today. They explore kinetic energy by creating their own experimental waterwheel from a two-liter plastic bottle. They investigate the transformations of energy involved in turning the blades of a hydro-turbine into work, and experiment with how weight affects the rotational rate of the waterwheel. Students also discuss and explore the characteristics of hydroelectric plants.
Topics explored: kinetic energy; water wheel; activity; energy conversionWave Energy Coloring Book
Description: a 5-page PDF download coloring book depicting various wave energy research programs and careers at Oregon State University
Topics explored: wave energy and acoustics researcher; benthic ecologist; wave energy prototypes engineer; stakeholder outreach specialist; ocean facilities managerWave Energy Converters (Wiki)
Description: a wiki page devoted to wave energy converters
Topics explored: wave energy conversion principles, oscillating water columns, overtopping devices, wave absorbing devices, point absorbers, terminators, wave attenuators, power take-off systems, issues with wave energy converters, wave energy converters combined with offshore wind, and international organizationsWave Energy Engineer: Building a Model Wave Energy Generator
Description: A classroom activity allowing student to design and test their own model wave energy device
Topics explored: kinetic energy, voltage, wave tankWave Energy Research at OSU
Description: a 5-page graphic illustration of various marine energy careers at Oregon State University
Topics explored: benthic ecologist, energy and acoustics, ocean test facilities managerWave Energy and Wave Changes with Depth
Description: This page provides an overview of the scientific principles behind wave energy propagation, types of wave based on water depth, and images and activities surrounding wave energy and depth.
Topics explored: wave energy; wave depth; deep water waves; transitional waves; shallow water waves; marine energyWave Power
Description: Technology overview of techniques to harness wave energy
Topics explored: wave energy; kinetic energy conversion; electricity generation; marine energyWave and Tidal Energy
Description: Overview and quiz relating to wave and tidal energy generation
Topics explored: wave energy; marine energy; tide energy; environmental considerations; electricity generation; ocean energy; renewable energyWave of the Future
Description: An 88-page Blue Economy teaching resource
Topics explored: Blue Economy, careers, activitiesWaves and Wave Properties
Description: Students learn about the types of waves and how they change direction, as well as basic wave properties such as wavelength, frequency, amplitude and speed. During the presentation of lecture information on wave characteristics and properties, students take notes using a handout. Then they label wave parts on a worksheet diagram and draw their own waves with specified properties (crest, trough and wavelength). They also make observations about the waves they drew to determine which has the highest and the lowest frequency. With this knowledge, students better understand waves and are a step closer to understanding how humans see color.
Topics explored: wave energy; energy transfer; frequency; wavelength; amplitudeWaves in the Marine Environment
Description: This is a 4-5 day unit on the physics of waves and encounters in the marine environment. Students will have the opportunity to work with actual data, learn about different types of waves, and understand how waves are used in the ocean to learn about the environment. The unit consists of three lessons, two worksheets, a group project, and review game.
Topics explored: Topics covered include an introduction to transverse and longitudinal waves, the difference between wind generated waves and tsunamis, and how and why we use sound underwater.Why Can't We Get Power from Waves? (Video)
Description: This video introduces wave energy and related challenges
Topics explored: wave energy, turbines, buoysYour Future in MHK Teacher Guide
Description: Career and Technology Education activities that provide hands-on experience with electricity, magnetism, and generating electricity from marine environments.
Topics explored: Energy in many forms; transforming energy forms into other forms; ten energy sources (five renewable and five nonrenewable); electricity is generated when a coil of conducting wire is moved in an electric field or when magnets are moved through or around a coil of conducting wire; electricity generated using the energy found in tides, ocean currents, and waves; experimental marine hydrokinetic technologies; geographic and environmental factors to be considered; demand for people trained to pilot the vessels designed to install and maintain the equipment.Your search selections do not match any STEM Educator Resources.
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