Hydroelectric and
Geothermal Energy
School/program name Date
Background Information
(for facilitator)
• Like that of the wind, the kinetic energy of moving water has been used by
humans for thousands of years. Hydroelectric energy depends on the
water cycle, which is driven by Earth’s gravity and solar radiation. Most
hydroelectric energy is generated by dams that are built across rivers. The
water that is stored upstream of the dam holds a large reserve of potential
energy. This energy is converted into kinetic energy as the water is
channeled through turbines and then release downstream.
• In most of Earth’s surface layers, groundwater flows slowly through pore
spaces. In areas where magma and hot rock are located relatively close to
the surface, the groundwater is heated to very high temperatures. In such
places, geothermal power plants can be built to convert the kinetic energy
of hot water and steam into electrical energy with turbines. In some cases,
not enough groundwater is present and water is pumped down into the
rock, where it is heated and rises up again where it can be use to spin the
turbines.
Agenda
Opening (30 minutes)
Setting the Stage: Hydroelectric Energy (15 minutes)
Cyber Investigation (30 minutes)
Activity: Waterwheel (40 minutes)
Break (15 minutes)
Setting the Stage: Geothermal Energy (30 minutes)
Activity: Energy Trapped in the Earth (40 minutes)
STEM-tastic Careers (30 minutes)
Lunch (30 minutes)
Recess: Hula Hoop Relay (30 minutes)
Engineering Challenge: Got Hot Water? Part 1 (45 minutes)
Mind Snacks (15 minutes)
Engineering Challenge: Got Hot Water? Parts 2-5 (90 minutes)
STEM Camp Notebook Reflection (30 minutes)
Wrap Up (5 minutes)
Dive Into Digital Project (60 minutes)
Learning Objectives
To understand the advantages and
disadvantages of hydroelectric energy
To understand the advantages and
disadvantages of geothermal energy
Today’s Vocabulary
Thermal Energy
Hydroelectric Power
Setting the Stage:
Hydroelectric
Energy
What is Hydroelectric Energy?
Video: Hydroelectric
Video: Glacial Water:
A Form of Potential Energy
Cyber
Investigation
Activity:
Waterwheel
Setting the Stage:
Geothermal Energy
What do you think is the source of
geothermal energy?
Video: Installing the Geothermal Heating and Cooling System
Activity:
Energy Trapped in
the Earth
STEMtastic
Careers
Geologist
Hydrologist
Engineering Challenge:
Got Hot Water?
Mind Snacks
Engineering Challenge:
Got Hot Water?
Notebook Reflection
How could geothermal energy help power your
home or school?
What are some of the characteristics of an area
that are necessary to harness hydroelectric
power?
Wrap Up
Think about this…
What are some important examples
of a renewable energy source?
What are some examples of a non-
renewable energy source?