Energy Lessons and Activities
It’s time to upgrade our energy infrastructure to clean, sustainable solutions such as wind, hydro, and solar power and away from fossil fuels that are contributing to climate change. This page offers a wide variety of resources for your students to utilize as they begin to understand different modes of clean energy production. Explore lessons that can be adapted to in-person or virtual learning, rent models and kits for your students to use hands-on, and learn about local case studies for renewable energy here in West Michigan.
Teach for our Energy Future
Teach for our Energy Future is an emerging program being developed through a partnership between WMEAC, Hope College and the Holland BPW. As a pilot project we are working to establish a high-impact middle school curriculum that connects place-based education, learning by inquiry, and research with Holland’s Community Energy Plan goals for energy usage behavior change in the community. This program hopes to increase awareness and understanding of the impacts of energy use, problems associated with storing and accessing energy, and the advancement of renewable energy forms.
We hope to empower students to seek solutions to these energy problems by embracing efficient and renewable energy use. We also hope to help foster a deeper relationship between Holland area educators, professionals and community leaders, in order to establish a supportive network of knowledge and resources for students, teachers, and their families.
Free downloadable lesson plans for Teach for our Energy Future will be available soon.
K’nex Renewable Energy Kits - Classroom models
Go green and bring STEM concepts to your classroom with K’NEX® Education Renewable Energy Sets! Your students will be able to create their own renewable energy models and apply critical science, technology, and engineering concepts.
Using K’NEX® and the lessons provided in the teacher guide enables you to offer students a program of study that uses hands-on exploration in conjunction with an engaging inquiry-based approach to learning. As students work cooperatively they are encouraged to work together as they build, investigate, discuss and evaluate concepts, ideas and designs. Each kit includes student-friendly instructions for constructing two designs each for solar power, hydropower, and wind power.
If you are interested in renting these kits for your classroom click here.
Free Lesson Plans and Materials
These activities from our pilot program, Teach for our Energy Future, highlight the basics of energy efficiency, air quality, and how to calculate your energy footprint.
