Energy Emergency!
Our environment is in danger. Humans are hurting the environment by
overuse of certain energy sources, and because of this, the world is facing an
energy crisis. Gas prices rise higher and higher as the demand for oil far
exceeds the supply. Alternative energy sources are desperately needed if we
are to maintain our current way of life.
But what is energy? We can't imagine life without it. How do we preserve
the environment and at the same time continue to supply energy to meet our
needs? Begin on a local level by looking at the energy used in your school and
community. What are the different sources of energy used? What are some
alternative sources of energy your community could use so as not to harm the
environment? Your help is needed to research this problem, including current
media findings, and make a proposal to your local government on how to make
your community more energy efficient and environmentally responsible. Keep a
journal of your research, as well as news articles which relate to the crisis. You
will prepare a proposal and a brief presentation for a class summit on the crisis.
Your community needs you!
Modified from copyrighted material of IDE Corp. © 2001-2008, www.idecorp.com. Permission to duplicate for registered users of the IDEportal only. 201 934 5005
Energy Emergency Rubric
Task
Energy
Research


Novice
definition
of energy
3
renewable
or nonrenewable
sources
Apprentice
 definition of
energy
 3 nonrenewable
sources
 3 renewable
sources





Journal
Proposal
all research


all research 
newspaper 
article about
crisis



description
of the
energy
problem
2 possible
solutions
predicted
ways each
solution will
help
detailed
information
on the
problem
2 proposed
solutions
predicted
ways each
solution will
help

description
of the
energy
problem
2 possible
solutions



Oral
Presentation

information 
on the
problem
2
proposed

solutions









Practitioner
definition of energy
3 non-renewable
sources
3 renewable
sources
energy crisis effects
on people
ways school &
community
members contribute
to the crisis
all research
newspaper article
about energy crisis
summary of article
description of the
energy problem
2 possible solutions
plan for putting
each solution into
effect
predicted ways
each solution will
help
detailed information
on the problem
2 proposed
solutions
predicted ways
each solution will
help
solutions and
predictions
supported by data
Expert
all of Practitioner
plus 3 ways school
& community
members can be
more energy
efficient
all of Practitioner
plus
 multiple news
articles
 summaries
include
connection to
your school or
community
all of Practitioner
plus
 approximate
cost for each
solution
 one solution can
be implemented
by your school
all of Practitioner
plus
 visual to
accompany
presentation
 audience
participation
Modified from copyrighted material of IDE Corp. © 2001-2008, www.idecorp.com. Permission to duplicate for registered users of the IDEportal only. 201 934 5005
Energy Emergency Websites
http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/
Energy Information Administration kids’ page – this government site includes classroom
resources and activities.
http://www.eere.energy.gov/kids/
Kids’ site from the US Dept. of Energy – information on renewable energy and home
connections.
http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/
Energy Quest, from California’s state energy commission hosts an interactive room, full of
various kid-friendly energy activities.
http://www.powerhousekids.com/stellent2/groups/public/documents/pub/phk_001537.hcsp
Alliant Energy Kids offers energy-related info, projects, and links to online games.
http://www.brainpop.com/science/energy/energysources/preview.weml
BrainPop activities and video on energy sources.
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,1734120,00.html
Time for Kids article about a California school that went ‘green’ due to the efforts of the student
environmental club
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/wr/article/0,28391,1610917,00.html
Time for Kids article, “Welcome to the City of the Future”
http://google.nationalgeographic.com/search?site=cms_ngkids&client=cms_ngkids&proxystyle
sheet=cms_ngkids&output=xml_no_dtd&oe=UTF-8&q=energy
Listing of many artcles from National Geographic Kids on energy and conservation.
Modified from copyrighted material of IDE Corp. © 2001-2008, www.idecorp.com. Permission to duplicate for registered users of the IDEportal only. 201 934 5005
Energy Emergency Scaffold
Modified from copyrighted material of IDE Corp. © 2001-2008, www.idecorp.com. Permission to duplicate for registered users of the IDEportal only. 201 934 5005