Clean Energy and Engineering Careers
Subject Area(s)
earth and space, physical science, science and technology
Associated Unit
Clean Energy
Lesson Title
Introduction to Clean Energy and Engineering
Grade Level
11 (9-12)
Lesson #
1 of 5
Lesson Dependency
None
Time Required
50 minutes
Summary
Students learn the basic science behind climate change and why clean energy is an essential part
of a sustainable future. Additionally, students learn of some engineering professions and how
they relate to solving clean energy problems.
Engineering Connection
Clean energy has been a buzz word for years now. Developing clean energy solutions to combat
climate change is largely and engineering, not scientific, challenge. Many of the viable
technological solutions to a clean energy infrastructure already exist, yet they have yet to be
implemented on a broad scale. Wind, solar, hydraulic, and geothermal power are all
scientifically feasible solutions to the need for clean energy. However, these solutions must
become more efficient and cost effective before they can make a true impact. This is the job of
engineers!
Engineering Category
Relates science concept to engineering
Keywords
chemical engineer, civil engineer, clean, energy, electrical engineer, engineering, environmental
engineer, geothermal, mechanical engineer, power, solar, wind,
Educational Standards
Colorado State Science: Colorado, 2011, science, physical science, grades 9-12, 4: Atoms bond
in different ways to form molecules and compounds that have definite properties.
Colorado, 2011, science, earth systems science, grades 9-12, 4d: Identify mechanisms in the past
and present that have changed Earth's climate.
Colorado State Math: NA
ITEEA: ITEEA, Standard 5, Grades 9-12, K. Humans devise technologies to reduce the negative
consequences of other technologies.
Pre-Requisite Knowledge
None required
Learning Objectives
After this lesson, students should be able to:
 Explain the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions
 Explain the effect of greenhouse gas emissions on climate
 Distinguish between clean energy and traditional fossil fuel energy sources
 Debate the advantages clean energy and traditional energy sources
 Explain the roles that a mechanical, civil, electrical, environmental, computer, and
chemical engineer might play in creating clean energy solutions.
Introduction / Motivation
[Have the attached Lesson 1 PowerPoint ready to go. Play the video which depicts cartoons
of non-sustainable and sustainable energy practices]
What is energy, and why is there so much discussion about clean energy? Where does the
energy we use from and how does it get to us? [A discussion is advised. Expect significant
confusion and potential philosophical differences between students about energy, clean energy,
and how we obtain energy useful].
Energy is the reason we exist. Without energy there would not be light, warmth, or life. It is
truly the sustaining force of our planet. Nearly all available energy on our planet is derived from
one source: our sun. Through processes such a radiative heat transfer (how the sun’s energy
reaches us) and photosynthesis, our plant retains some of the sun’s energy. This energy can be
stored as heat and plant or animal matter. Heat drives our planet’s weather and ocean systems,
while plant and animals live on the energy they absorb from the sun (directly or by the
consumption of other plant/animal matter). Sometimes, if plants or animals die, the left-over
energy stored as proteins and sugars in their bodies can, over millions of years, change into
petroleum compounds like oil. We have, for centuries, harvested the energy stored in plants and
animals to heat our homes, cook our food, and transport goods (discussion about fossil fuels
advised).
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All engineers and scientists must understand energy, because, without energy, creation is
impossible.
We find ourselves at a critical time in history where how we obtain energy has become one
of the hottest topics in engineering, politics, and society. Not only have the greenhouse gases
emitted by burning fossil fuels contributed to the warming of our planet, but we are, simply,
running out of fossil fuel energy. The current system of harvesting and burning fossil fuels is in
its twilight, and your generation will need to find a new way to harvest useful energy for a new
tomorrow.
Lesson Background & Concepts for Teachers
Clean Energy: clean energy is a loosely defined term, but in this lesson we will use the
definition that clean energy is "useful energy obtained with very low emissions of greenhouse
gases." Typically, clean energies happen to be renewable, but these terms are not necessarily
interchangeable. Renewable energies are defined herein as energies that can be readily
replenished at the rate they are used. An example of a "clean energy" that is not a "renewable
energy" would be nuclear power; nuclear power production produces very low levels of
greenhouse gases (GHGs), but the fuel for the power process is non-renewable.
Greenhouse Effect: The "Greenhouse Effect" is the physical mechanism that causes global
climate change. The sun's energy initially enters the Earth's atmosphere largely as short-wave
radiation. This radiation (visible and UV light) easily pass through the clouds and atmosphere
and is eventually absorbed by the Earth's surface. The Earth's surface warms, and then itself
emits radiation. However, now the wavelength of the radiation is much longer (infrared
radiation), and it is easily absorbed by the bonds of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases emitted
by various power-production, transportation, and industrial processes are able to absorb this
infrared radiation very effectively. As the infrared energy from the Earth's surface tries to escape
into space, it is absorbed by the bonds of greenhouse gases like springs absorbing mechanical
energy at their resonant frequency. The GHGs heat up and re-radiate heat back to Earth causing
a net rise in Earth's temperature.
NOTE: the term "Global Warming" has been largely done away with because it causes too
much confusion. Although the macroscopic (average) temperature of Earth is increasing as a
result of the Greenhouse Effect, complex weather patterns may cause certain regions of the
planet to actually be colder and experience more temperature summers and sever winters.
Where to GHGs Come From?: The primary source of greenhouse gas emissions is the burning
of fossil fuels for transportation and electricity. Our vehicles and power plants typically use
gasoline, diesel, natural gas, or coal. These fuels are made up of carbon and hydrogen atoms
arranged into larger molecules called hydrocarbons. Most hydrocarbons are called "fossil fuels"
because they are made by the slow decomposition of dead organic mass (fossils!) over the course
of millions of years. When we burn the hydrocarbons, the "hydro[gen]" part of the hydrocarbon
combines with oxygen to make water (H2O), and the "carbon" part of the hydrocarbon combines
with oxygen to make carbon dioxide (CO2). In this way, combustion of fossil fuels creates the
most common greenhouse gas: carbon dioxide.
Coal-Fired Power Plants?: Coal-fired power plants are the #1 producer of greenhouse gases in
the United States. These power plants work in the following steps:
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1. Coal is mined from the surface and underneath mountains and hills
2. The coal is transported (typically by train) to the power plant
3. The coal is crushed under giant rollers and blown into a huge combustion chamber that
can be 3-5 stories tall
4. All the hot air from the burning coal is blown over pipes of water in order to boil it
a. The super-hot steam is fed through a turbine
b. This movement of the steam through the turbines causes the turbine to turn
c. The turbine is connected to a generator which makes the electricity (see Lesson
2: Energy, Power, and Electricity)
5. The hot combustion gases (not steam) are now mostly nitrogen (left over from the air),
water, and carbon dioxide
6. The combustion gases rise out of the smoke stack on the power plant and into the
atmosphere
This very old method of power production has pervaded for a few reasons:
1. Coal is extremely cheap to mine. For example, Rawhide Power Station in Northern
Colorado pays $12 per ton of coal. You cannot buy dirt for that cheap.
2. Coal is very energy-dense and produces vast amounts of heat when burned.
3. Worldwide, there is a thriving and politically-powerful coal mining and burning
infrastructure.
Despite its affordability and energy-density, coal is not entirely good:
1. Coal produces very high levels of carbon dioxide when burned.
2. Mountains must be mined, and often destroyed, in search for coal.
3. Coal is limited and non-renewable.
Sources of Clean Energy: Common sources of clean energy include: wind, solar, geothermal,
hydropower, and biofuels. The "cleanliness" of biofuels is debated because the production of
biofuels often necessitates the burning of extra fossil fuels to power farming and transportation
equipment.
Engineering Clean Energy: Developing clean energy and solving global climate change is
primarily an engineering issue, and all engineers can have a role in helping. In order to help
students understand that engineers are true agents of change, you can help them understand what
engineers can do related to climate change with these examples:





Mechanical engineers
o Can design more efficient engines, transportation devices, and power-generation
systems
Electrical engineers
o Can design better electrical distribution networks and energy-efficient electronics
Civil engineers
o Can design efficient buildings to better utilize our existing resources
Environmental engineers
o Can measure the positive effects of new energy technologies on the environment
Computer engineers
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
o Can control complex energy-consuming systems in efficient ways
Chemical engineers
o Can design new fuels and produce them in environmentally friendly ways
Vocabulary / Definitions
Word
Definition
clean energy
Useful energy obtained with very low emissions of greenhouse gases
greenhouse gas
A gas (especially carbon dioxide) that efficiently absorbs long-wave
radiation emitted from Earth's warm surface
greenhouse effect
The absorption of long-wave radiation by greenhouse gases leading to
a net increase in Earth's temperature
engineer
A person who uses develops solutions to problems by using math and
science to create useful and important products or services.
Associated Activities
none
Lesson Closure
Energy is the most important topic of our times. Harnessing the power of clean energy sources
will be one of the greatest economic driving forces in your lifetimes. It is up to you as young
engineers to become energy experts. Through what you learn in this unit, you will obtain
harness the power of our sun, weather, and minerals to create a clean energy future. A clean
energy future is essential to the health of our communities, country, and planet. You will build
the society of tomorrow to be cleaner, more efficient, and more wonderful than anything
previous generations could have imagined.
Assessment
Pres-Lesson Assessment:
Small group discussion: Ask students to discuss the following questions in small groups and
present their answer on one question to the class:
 What is energy and how is it different from power?
 What are 10 examples of things you deal with in your life that take energy or power?
 What is electricity? Can you explain how it works?
 What are 10 examples of things in your life that need electricity?
Post-Introduction Assessment: none suggested
Lesson Summary Assessment:
Small group brainstorm: Break students into groups of 3-4. Ask them to brainstorm three
different methods of how electrical power is currently generated. Given this, ask students to
image one additional way that electrical power could be generated/converted from another
energy source. Have students present this idea to the class by answering the following questions:
 Where does your electricity generator take energy from?
 Is your electricity generator clean?
 Do you think your electricity generator is realistic/affordable?
Self Assessment: Students will fill out the “Energy, Power, and Electricity” skeleton notes.
Homework: None suggested
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Lesson Extension Activities
None
Additional Multimedia Support
None
References
None
Attachments
Clean Energy and Engineering Careers Presentation (ppt)
Clean Energy and Engineering Careers Presentation (pdf)
Clean Energy and Engineering Careers Skeleton Notes and Worksheet (doc)
Clean Energy and Engineering Careers Skeleton Notes and Worksheet (pdf)
Clean Energy and Engineering Careers Image, Figure, & Table Citations (doc)
Clean Energy and Engineering Careers Image, Figure, & Table Citations(pdf)
Other
None
Redirect URL
None
Contributors
Daniel Wilson B.S. Licensed Educator, Michael De Miranda Ph.D., Thomas Siller Ph.D., Todd
Fantz Ph.D.
Copyright
Copyright © 2010 Colorado State University.
Supporting Program
Engineering and Technology Education Program, College of Education & College of
Engineering, Colorado State University. This content was developed by the Engineering and
Technology Education Program under National Science Foundation GK-12 grant no.
GDE0841259.
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