Quest 5 – The energy we need
LESSON CREATED BY Earth School Partners USING TED-Ed's LESSON CREATOR
Video from TED-Ed YouTube Channel
Let’s Begin…
Energy is neither created nor destroyed... so where does it come from? And where does it go? In this Quest we’ll discover what powers our world. We’ll look at how energy gets to our homes and understand why renewable energy solutions are so important. In our first video, educator Joshua M. Sneideman shows us the many ways energy cycles through our planet. fter the video, continue onto other sections to learn more, interact, act and share.
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Before you dive into the rest of this Quest, check out these videos to learn about what energy is, how it works, and we can harness it:
Watch 1: Energy Explained (NOVA)
Watch 2: What is energy?
Watch 3: Biodiesel - the afterlife of cooking oil
Watch 4: Electromagnetism 101 (Nat Geo)
LEARN + INTERACT
Learn more about energy and have fun with this site, led by a cute rodent called a Nutria! (for all ages)
Look around your house. Can you spot the different appliances and technologies you use for heating, lighting, cooking, cleaning, and entertainment? Discover more about how your home uses energy with Energy Star Kids and pick up some tips for how you and your family can conserve energy at home. (for ages 6-10)
Discover the long history of fossil fuels in just 300 seconds! (for all ages)
Calculate your energy footprint with this calculator. Once you discover the impact your usage has on the world, read on for a list of ways you can reduce it. (for ages 11+)
ACT + SHARE
Make a reminder “Be Bright: Turn Off The Light” light switch plate cover. Here’s a great example from NASA Kids. You can also come up with your own slogan and share it with us at #EarthSchool. (for ages 5-10)
Challenge your family to a friendly competition. Our daily showers use a lot of energy... who in your family can take the quickest shower? Keep track of everyone’s shower time and see who’s the biggest energy saver in your house. You can even join this Do Something campaign by making a 5 minute playlist to encourage your family and friends to take shorter showers! (for all ages)
Observe yourself and your family for a week and note how often lights, appliances, and devices are left on when not in use. See if people put a sweater on before turning up the thermostat, keep the fridge door open for long periods of time deciding what to select, leave doors ajar, and taps not tightly turned off. Write up a list of recommendations and messages of congratulations too for any energy-saving habits you observe, and challenge your family to go on an energy diet! (for ages 11+)
WANT MORE?
Make a solar oven. Do you think you could cook your next meal using only energy from the sun? Make this solar oven with your parents and find out, bon appétit! (for all ages)
Watch The Energy Challenge from the U.K.’s Department of Energy and Climate Change. (for all ages)
Resources for Parents and Educators:
Complete an energy audit with the kids at home. Then, try out these great activities on energy efficiency for kids. (for all ages)
Find some conversation starters for your students about sustainable energy: Read this leaflet on energy and sustainability produced in partnership with UNESCO Global Learning London and understand more about the child health issues surrounding sustainable energy and what this UNICEF program is striving to do.
This Earth School Quest was created by the following incredible educators and environmental experts: Kathleen Usher PhD
Watch 1: Energy Explained (NOVA)
Watch 2: What is energy?
Watch 3: Biodiesel - the afterlife of cooking oil
Watch 4: Electromagnetism 101 (Nat Geo)
LEARN + INTERACT
Learn more about energy and have fun with this site, led by a cute rodent called a Nutria! (for all ages)
Look around your house. Can you spot the different appliances and technologies you use for heating, lighting, cooking, cleaning, and entertainment? Discover more about how your home uses energy with Energy Star Kids and pick up some tips for how you and your family can conserve energy at home. (for ages 6-10)
Discover the long history of fossil fuels in just 300 seconds! (for all ages)
Calculate your energy footprint with this calculator. Once you discover the impact your usage has on the world, read on for a list of ways you can reduce it. (for ages 11+)
ACT + SHARE
Make a reminder “Be Bright: Turn Off The Light” light switch plate cover. Here’s a great example from NASA Kids. You can also come up with your own slogan and share it with us at #EarthSchool. (for ages 5-10)
Challenge your family to a friendly competition. Our daily showers use a lot of energy... who in your family can take the quickest shower? Keep track of everyone’s shower time and see who’s the biggest energy saver in your house. You can even join this Do Something campaign by making a 5 minute playlist to encourage your family and friends to take shorter showers! (for all ages)
Observe yourself and your family for a week and note how often lights, appliances, and devices are left on when not in use. See if people put a sweater on before turning up the thermostat, keep the fridge door open for long periods of time deciding what to select, leave doors ajar, and taps not tightly turned off. Write up a list of recommendations and messages of congratulations too for any energy-saving habits you observe, and challenge your family to go on an energy diet! (for ages 11+)
WANT MORE?
Make a solar oven. Do you think you could cook your next meal using only energy from the sun? Make this solar oven with your parents and find out, bon appétit! (for all ages)
Watch The Energy Challenge from the U.K.’s Department of Energy and Climate Change. (for all ages)
Resources for Parents and Educators:
Complete an energy audit with the kids at home. Then, try out these great activities on energy efficiency for kids. (for all ages)
Find some conversation starters for your students about sustainable energy: Read this leaflet on energy and sustainability produced in partnership with UNESCO Global Learning London and understand more about the child health issues surrounding sustainable energy and what this UNICEF program is striving to do.
This Earth School Quest was created by the following incredible educators and environmental experts: Kathleen Usher PhD
We look forward to seeing your Quest in action!
Document your Quests— take photos of the experiments, activities, drawings, and writing prompts you tried— and share your journey with the Earth School team and students by using #EarthSchool. We'll feature some of your photos and stories on our social channels, hopefully encouraging others to join the cause!
Explore additional creative activities (for all ages!) from the Nature of Stuff and save images of your work from each Quest in Littlescribe – later you can create an original card, book, magazine or calendar to bring your adventures to life!
Document your Quests— take photos of the experiments, activities, drawings, and writing prompts you tried— and share your journey with the Earth School team and students by using #EarthSchool. We'll feature some of your photos and stories on our social channels, hopefully encouraging others to join the cause!
Explore additional creative activities (for all ages!) from the Nature of Stuff and save images of your work from each Quest in Littlescribe – later you can create an original card, book, magazine or calendar to bring your adventures to life!
