Energy and Environment Activity-book

8/14/2019 Energy and Environment Activity-book

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Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy EfficiencyLeading Canadians to Energy Efficiency at Home, at Workand on the Road.

To obtain additional copies of this or other free publicationson energy efficiency, please contact:

Energy PublicationsOffice of Energy EfficiencyNatural Resources Canada

c/o St. Joseph CommunicationsOrder Processing Unit1165 Kenaston StreetPO Box 9809 Station TOttawa ON K1G 6S1Tel.: 1-800-387-2000 (toll-free)Fax: 613-740-3114TTY: 613-996-4397 (teletype for the hearing impaired)

Aussi disponible en franais sous le titre :Cahier d'activits sur l'nergie et l'environnement

Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2008

Cat. No. M4-70/2008E (Print)

ISBN 978-1-100-11212-1

Cat. No. M4-70/2008E-PDF (On-line)ISBN 978-1-100-11213-8

Recycled paper


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KIDSKIDS CLUB RESOURCESCLUB RESOURCES

FOREWORDFOREWORD 1

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THANKTHANKYOUTOOURPARTNERSYOUTOOURPARTNERS

GLOSSARYOFTERMSGLOSSARYOFTERMS

TEACHINGNOTESANDTEACHING NOTESANDLEARNINGACTIVITIESLEARNINGACTIVITIES

Energy Basics Check the box exercise

MeetNRCat.Hewillintroduceyouto

thetopicof energyandtheenvironment.

All About Energy Crossword Puzzle

Green Audit Green Behaviour Chart

Water and Energy Matching Puzzle

Lighting and Energy Class Discussion and Homework

Can You Spell Energy Efficiency? Text and Errors

Energy Efficiency Brainstorming Activity

Conserve Energy Crossword Puzzle

It All Adds Up Math SkillsRenewable Energy Class Presentation

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SURVEYSURVEY Self-MailerSelf-Mailer


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Im NRCat - The Natural Resources Canada Cat - yourfriendly, fuzzy, furry, funny, fashionable, frugal, fantastic,favouritefeline guide to saving energy and the environment!Why a cat? Well, were practically famous for using the leastenergy we can while living a fabulous life! Did you know a catcan sleep 18 hours a day if its tummy is full?Purrr-rrr-rrr.

But, theres no time to rest when it comes to energy choicesand the environment! For the past century or so, humansocieties have been growing and developing so fast thatMother Nature is stressed out! The clues are pretty

clear-

even to me!

Humans are quickly using up some favourite naturalresources, like oil and gas, that are limited in quantity.Thats like me eating all the chicken chunks in my dishand leaving the broccoli bits behind. Yummy today, butwhat about next week?

Making and using energy have some side effects thatmess up the environment. I dont want to go into detail,but can I just say: kitty litter? Not purrretty!

Most important, the explosion in energy use is so-oo-oopowerful that it is changing the climate on Earth - even

while we watch. I love to sleep in the sun, but lately Ivebeen getting sunburns along with my z-z-z-z-s!

So, what can we (OK: you humans) do about all this (because,frankly, we cats have to rely on you in this matter)? Well,thats why I developed this Activity Book - to help you learnabout ways to conserve energy and the environment.

Use less: Live better!Use less: Live better!

Hi Kids - and Teachers, too!

Foreword

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NRCATMascot (and Cool Cat!)Natural Resources Canada


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The Energy and the Environment Kids Cluboffers teachers and students three linked toolsfor learning about energy conservation. Eachtool engages students in different ways.

National Art ContestOur annual national art contest brings out thebeautiful best in students. Their images andmessages of energy conservation are simplyinspiring. This year, winners from each provinceand territory are featured on a classroomposter. For details and the winning pictures,visit our Web site.

The Web SiteHave fun learning with the special teachingassistants on our Web site. NRCat, InspectorJoules and Simon have great games, activitiesand cartoons goin' on. Explore the club treehouse; play detective on energy mysteries;and click on some cool links.

Energy and the EnvironmentActivity Book

This book is a practical hands-on workbookdesigned for students aged 6 to 13. The content

features energy conservation and energyefficiency as key paths to smarterenergy choices.

There are 10 sets of Teaching Notesand Learning Activities in the book.Use, photocopy and adapt these exercisesto meet the needs of your students.

Look in the glossary for handy definitionsand key concepts related to energyconservation.

Help improve the book. Fill out the attachedsurvey card or contact us at our Web site.

Thankyoutoourpartners!

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1 Teaching Notes

Instruction

Key Points

Energy is the basic force of life. Big andsmall, energy drives and shapes our worldand our daily lives. Use the Key Points andLearning Activity to reinforce understandingof energy basics.

Energy can be defined simply: it is the capacityor ability to take action, to do work. The wordenergy comes from the ancient Greek wordenergos, which means active or working.

Energy comes in many forms: light, sound,wind, solar, thermal, chemical and nuclear;and very familiar fossil fuels like oil, gas andcoal; and electrical energy like hydro (water)power. Today, due to concern about climatechange, there is great emphasis on renewableenergies like wind and solar. It is importantto note that to use energy we very oftenchange one form of energy into another:for example, wind power into electricity.

In addition to forms of energy, there are twobasic types of energy: potential (stored) energyand kinetic (active) energy. We continually shiftbetween these types of energy in our dailylives. This is as simple as sitting at a desk(potential energy) and then standing andwalking away (kinetic). A rollercoaster rideillustrates this dynamic relationship: thepotential energy that exists in that pause atthe top of the track is transformed and spentas kinetic energy on the way down.

IdentifywhethertheitemsbelowIdentifywhethertheitemsbelowrepresentpotentialorkineticenergy.representpotentialorkineticenergy.

Windturningawindmillsblade

Alakebackedupbehindadam

Aseamofcoaldeepintheearth

Aboystandingontopofaslide

Agirlzippingdownaslide

Sunshiningonalineoflaundry

(Remember:sunlightisawave.)

Broccoliwaitingonyour

dinnerplate

Arollercoasterride(Remember:

itincludesbothtypesofenergy!)

PotentialPotential KineKine

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Learning Activity 1

kidsclub.nrcan.gc.cakidsclub.nrcan.gc.ca

Energy is all around us; we use it every day.How do youpicture energy? Playing socceror dancing? Studying? What about waterfallsand thunderstorms? And broccoli? Broccoli?!!

Energy is, basically, the power to make thingshappen. It is the power to work and play. Energycomes in many forms - like sunshine, electricityand heat - and from many sources - like the sun,waterfalls, and oil and gas.

Potential energy is stored energy.Potential energy is stored energy. Food, likebroccoli, is stored energy that your body turnsinto running and thinking. A battery is stored

energy that powers computer games andcell phones.

Kinetic energy is active energy.Kinetic energy is active energy. This involvesmovement or motion - like playing soccer,dancing and washing dishes. Waterfalls havekinetic energy because the water is moving.

Did you know that you can make energy changeforms but you cant make it disappear? Think abouta campfire: the energy stored in the wood is changedinto heat, light and smoke.

Windturningawindmillsblade

Alakebackedupbehindadam

Aseamofcoaldeepintheearth

Aboystandingontopofaslide

Agirlzippingdownaslide

Sunshiningonalineoflaundry

Broccoliwaitingonyour

dinnerplate

Arollercoasterride

PotentialPotential KineticKinetic

4

Challenge yourself!Challenge yourself!Identify whether the items belowrepresent potential or kinetic energy.

FunFact!


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2 Teaching Notes

Instruction

Key Points

Use this crossword puzzle as a handy,quick and fun way to test studentsknowledge about energy conservation.

Energy conservation has many aspects.It involves

science and technology - e.g. scientificinstruments like #1 across (thermometer)and technologies like #1 down (turbine)

energy resources - e.g. renewables like#4 down (solar) and non-renewables like#4 across (coal)

behaviour choices - e.g. #6 down(reduce) and #7 down (carpool)

TU L E

R E N

B C EU S

I T WO G

N R AL R

E A E I B

RT E

N I E

TR

YERC C C L I N G

DA

UR

CP

E R V A T I O NSNO

OLEC

L

O

T

H

E T H A N O L

S

S I U S

C

E S C O A L

H E R M O M E T E R

2

3

67

6

8

7

5

4

45

2 3

5


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Learning Activity 2

This instrument measures temperature in degrees. (11)Take the ___ (instead of a car) with your friends. (3)These familiar green giants absorb greenhouse gases.You can help by planting more. (5)This fossil fuel is a black rock we burn to makeelectricity. (4)

By _________ instead of using the garbage, you helpsave energy and conserve our natural resources. (9)It describes our efforts to use less energy.Think opposite of waste! (12)This car fuel is made from plants. (7)The temperature scale used in Canada. (7)

A machine that turns flowing water or blowingwind into electricity. (7)It powers the television, computer, refrigerator

and much more! (11)Name for energy sources that cannot be used up. (9)Sunshine gives us this kind of energy. (5)Colour associated with behaviours that protectthe environment. (5)Energy-saving motto: _______, reuse, recycle! (6)When people arrange to drive together, they _______. (7)Save energy: hang your _______ outdoors to dry! (7)

Are you puzzled about energyconservation? Try your hand atthis challenging crossword!

1

2

3

67

6

8

7

5

4

45

2 3


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3 Teaching Notes

Instruction

Key Points

Have students use the chart presentedon the activity page to track their greenbehaviour for a week. At the end of theweek, students can discuss taking actionto save energy and the environment.Repeat the activity once or twice during

the year so students/classes canimprove their green scores.

Changing behaviour is an important partof making smarter energy choices. Evena small change, like turning off the lightswhen you leave a room, can make a bigdifference when everyone does it.

HelpstudentsadduptheirpointsforHelpstudentsadduptheirpointsfortheweektoseehowgreentheyare!theweektoseehowgreentheyare!

Youareofftoagoodstart!

Ourdailyactionsreallymatter

becausetogethertheyreallyaddu

p.

Keepupthegoodwork!

Youarewell onyour wayto green living! Youaremaking apositive difference.Canyou do more?

Youthinkgreenandactgreen

prettymucheveryday.Fantastic!

Youcaninspireyour familyand

friendsbyyourexample.

Beagreenleader!

1-30points

31-69points

70ormore

Light Green

Medium Green

Deep Green

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How green are you?


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Learning Activity 3

Make every week a GreenWeek! It all adds up!

How green are you?

TurnedoffthelightswhenTurnedoff the lightswhenleavingaroom.leavingaroom.Letmyhairairdry insteadLet myhair air dryinsteadof blowdry.ofblowdry.Turnedoff the tap whileTurned offthetapwhilebrush ingmyteeth.brushingmy teeth.

Turned off the telev ision as soonTurned off the television as soonas I finished watchinga show.as I finished watching a show.Walke d, biked or took the bus Walked, biked or took the busto scho ol.toschool.Decidedwhat Iwanted beforeDecided whatI wantedbeforeopeningtherefrigeratordoor.openingtherefrigerator door.Playedoutsidewithfriendsins teadPlayedoutside with friends insteadof onthecomputer.ofonthecomputer.

Had a fast s how er instead of a bigHad afast shower instead of a bigbath , using less water.bath, usingless water.Use d the microwave insteadUsed the microwave

insteadof the oven.of the oven.Re-used pap er for scho ol and Re-usedpaperfor school andhome pro jects.homeprojects.

Mytotal

MonMon TueTue WedWed ThuThu FriFri SatSat SunSun

Classtotal

Its Green Week for your class.Use this chart to track your dailyefforts to conserve energy.Give yourself one point in the

daily box for each activity thatyou complete. Record additionalpoints for repeating activities.For example, if you turn thelights off three times in one day,give yourself three points inthe daily box.

fortheweek and askyourteacherhowGREENyouare!

Nowaddyourpoints

WhatIdidduringGreenWeek

kidsclub.nrcan.gc.cakidsclub.nrcan.gc.ca8


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4 Teaching Notes

Instruction

Key Points

Water is one of our most importantnatural resources. Students are askedto match a variety of household activitiesto the amount of water they typically use.They will gain a better understandingof our dependence on fresh water andwhy it is important to conserve.

Canada is a vast country with three oceancoastlines (Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic)and a lot of freshwater lakes and rivers.

Water is one of our most important naturalresources. We need to drink it daily to stayalive. We also use water for cooking, cleaningand, of course, splashing and swimming -and for making skating rinks in winter! Wateris vital to our economy, too - from growingfood to running factories. We also turn theenergy of moving water - like Niagara Falls -

into hydroelectric power.Like electricity, we expect to have good,clean water at the turn of the tap. It hasto travel to us and, after we use it, wateris treated and returned to its source-usuallynearby rivers or lakes. All of this activitytakes energy.

Saving water means saving energy. The lesswater you use, the less energy is used topump, treat, distribute and recover it.

The big picture

8litres(withtaprunning)

Hand washing57to95litres

Tubbath

40litres

Automaticdishwashing

5-minuteshower

38litres

9

Brushingteeth

10litres(withta

p

running)

Toiletflush

13to19litres

Clotheswashingmachine

225litres


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kidsclub.nrcan.gc.cakidsclub.nrcan.gc.ca 40litres

38litres

57to95litres

10

Tubbath

5-minut

eshowe

r

Automaticdishwashing

Water, water everywhere - but we rarelygive it a thought! Canadians expect to have

clean, safe water at the turn of a tap, andthat is usually the case. Think of the lasttime you ran out of water!

Climate change, pollution and environmentalstress are making us more concernedabout water conservation, especially freshwater. We are beginning to realize what avery valuable natural resource clean freshwater is.

Handwashing

Toiletflush

Clotheswashingmachine

13to19litres

225litre

s

8litres

(withtaprunnin

g)

10litres(withtaprunning)

35 percent for bathing and showering;30 percent for the toilet;

20 percent for laundry;10 percent for kitchen and drinking;5 percent for cleaning.

More than 50 percent of the water usedon lawns and gardens is wasted-itevaporates or runs off. Think about it!

FunFact!

How much waterdo you use?You may be surprised!Match each activity to thenumber of litres of wateryou think it would use.

Learning Activity 4

In Canada,here's how we useIn Canada, here's how weusewater inside our hom es:water insideour homes:

Brushingteeth


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5 Teaching Notes

Instruction

Key Points

This text describes the efficiency ofvarious types of light bulbs (incandescentversus fluorescent). Following a briefdiscussion of the various types of bulbs,students are asked to calculate the lightbulb use at home. Then, a discussionabout lighting use will help themunderstand that every bulb counts!

What we can doWhat wecan do

Watts the difference?Watts the difference?The wattage rating listed on light bulbpackaging is a measure of the power usedrather than of light output. Different typesof bulbs, such as compact fluorescentand halogen, deliver the same light outputas incandescent bulbs but use two-thirdsless energy.

Choosing energy-efficient light bulbs makesa difference. We use less energy and createfewer greenhouse gas emissions thataccumulate in our atmosphere and contributeto climate change.

Inequality among bulbs

Traditionalincandescentbulbsconvert

approximatelyonly10percentofthe

electricitytheyuseintolight-theremaining

90percentisconvertedintoheat.

Fluorescent lights are common inoffices andinstitutionslike schools andhospitals. Their uin homesismostly limitedto kitchens becauseof their cool light, longbulbs andspecial ballaconnections.

We all can take steps to reduce the energy we usefor lighting and, when we do, well be helping to limitclimate change too.

Usenatural light from windows when wecan(but remember to closethe blinds on hot daysto keep the heat out).

Turn lights off when weare not using them andwhenwe leave a room.

Encourage our parents to use more efficientlight bulbs.

Encourage our parents toput timers or motiondetectors on outdoor lights so they come on onlywhen needed.

Compact fluorescents, commonlyknownas CFLsare becomingmore andmore popular in CanadThese bulbsaremoreexpensivetopurchasebutlast much longer and use muchlessenergy,producing significant savings over thelifeof thebu

IncandescentsIncandescentsIncandescents

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FluorescentssFluorescents

Compact fluorescentsCom ore n Compact fluorescents


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Learning Activity 5

Createasign-upsheetandeachweekadifferent

personcanvolunteertomakesurethelights

areoutwhenthestudentsare!

Not all light bulbs are created equal. Some wastea lot of energy, while others are very efficient.

Now that you have talked about the various typesof light bulbs, your mission is to count the number ofeach type of light bulb at your home. Dont forgetthe basement (if you have one) and outside lights too!

Compact fluorescentsCom ore n Compact fluorescentsAcompactfluorescentlightbulbfitsthesamesocketasaregularincandescentbulb.

Be bright about lights!

The tube contains an inertgas (such as argon) thatglows when the bulb ischarged with electricity.

Fluorescentsr sFluorescents

The oldest type of lightbulb; a heated filamentinside glows to emit light.

IncandescentsIncandescentsIncandescents

Whoturnsthelightsoffinyourclassroom?


Replacing just one 60-watt incandescent lightbulb with a 20-watt compact fluorescent inevery house across Canada-that's morethan 12 million houses-would save the sameamount of greenhouse gas emissions as takingmore than 66 000 cars off the road.

FunFact!


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6 Teaching Notes

Instruction

Key Points

Students read text, identify wordscontaining spelling errors and writethe correction in the space provided.

Energy conservation is a concept forall ages. Choosing behaviours to reduceenergy use - such as putting on a sweaterinstead of turning up the heat andremembering to switch off lights andequipment when they are not in use -can begin early and last a lifetime.

SpellingSpellingMistakes:Mistakes:

efficiency

sweater

fluorescent

solar

alternative

computer

biofuels

previously

reduce

recycle

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Energy efficeincy means using less energy to get the results you want.

Put on a sweiter if you are cold instead of turning up the heat.

Use energy-saving compact floresent light bulbs at home.

Make use of soler energy by letting the sun inside in winterand blocking it out in summer.

Take alternitive transportation to school - bus, bicycle, scooter, walk!

Play outdoors with a soccer ball rather than indoors on the computor.

Biofules are made from renewable plant sources like cereal crops or trees.

Use previosly owned stuff! Its good for the environment - and your piggybank - to use and enjoy goods that are not brand new.

Reduse your use of energy by turning off lights when you leave the room.

Reuse and rescycle as much as you can.

Learning Activity

Read the text below and identify the spelling errorin each sentence that relates to saving energy.Circle the words that are misspelled and thenwrite them correctly in the space provided below.

Saving energy is as easy as A-B-C!

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7 Teaching Notes

Instruction

Key Points

This is a fun cooperative or teamexercise. Have students make lists ofenergy-saving tips that apply at home, atschool and on the road. Encourage them

to let the ideas fly!

Every day, we use lots of energy andmake decisions that affect the environmentand our climate. Energy efficiency helpsus slow down climate change - and thatsgood for our health, the environmentand our future.

Herearesomepossibleanswers:

Turndowntheairconditioner;itssummer

soitsOKtobealittlewarm!

Hangyourlaundryoutsideinsteadofusing

thedryer.

Dontstartthedishwasherunti

litsfull!

Decidewhat you want before you openthe fridge door.

Take a fast shower. Usethe microwave insteadof theoven.

Askyourparentsifyoucanplantatree

inyouryard.

Makesuretobringyourlunchinrecyclable

containers;thelessyouthrowout,thebetter!

Startcomposting.Itsgreatforthegarden.

Useyourbikeortake thebus!

Ifyourvehicleisstoppedformorethan

60seconds(exceptintraffic),remindyour

parentstoturnofftheengine.

Insummer,openthewindowsinsteadofusing

theairconditionerandyourfamilywill savegas.

Turn it off!

Be quick!

Go green!

Drive smart!

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Learning Activity 7

How bright is your light bulb?Think of as many tips as you can to save energy!Use your brain! Use your friends brain!Workwith your team to come up with easy tips thatcan make a difference daily in saving energyand the environment.

Here are some ideas to get you started...


As a rule of thumb,if your car is stopped formore than 60 seconds,except in traffic, turn offthe engine.

FunFact!

Drive smart!Drive smart!

urnitoff!Turnitoff!

Gogreen!Gogreen!

Thinkaboutthingsnyourhousethatuseelectricity.Canyouuseless?

Even though ydo not drive,wcan you do tohelp reduce thamount of fueyour family us

Howcanyouhelpnature?

Be quick!Be quick!Savingenergyreducesgreenhousega

semissions.

Greenhousegasemissionscontributetoclimatechange.

Savingenergysavesmoney. Sometimesyouractionscanaffectelectricity use.


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8 Teaching Notes

Instruction

Key Points

This clever crossword puzzlecan test what students knowabout energy conservation.

Canada is a big consumerof natural resources, includingenergy. There are some goodreasons for this - across mostof the country we have verycold winters and very hotsummers. And energy-dependent industries area big part of our economy.

In recent years, weve becomemore aware of the impact that

energy use is having on ourclimate. What can we do with thisknowledge? Act - by changingbehaviour, adopting more energy-efficient technologies and takingadvantage of renewableenergy sources.

H

A N

T C GNILDI

H A T R F CGS U N L I H T TE H A N O

D R E N L

S T RE DP E I A N D

CA E O

WESOLC R

NK M E

TA O RSIDG H W A H E RS

TI

AN

T I N GSOPMOCG

SP S H P

Y B R I D1

3

58

6

8

7

7

4

2

24

35 6

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1 1

3

58

6

8

7

7

4

2

24

35 6

Learning Activity 8


______vehicles switch between two typesof energy. (6)When a car is running but not moving, it is ______. (6)It is the natural source of all our heat and light. (3)

Liquid fuel made from plants. (7)What is another name for a person walking? (10)_____ the blinds and curtains during hot summerdays to help keep the house cool. (5)Run this appliance only when its full! (10)When you turn food scraps into fertilizeryou are __________. (10)

Taking big _____ uses more water than takinga quick shower. (5)These traditional light bulbs use lots of energy. (13)A colourful name for renewable energy. (10)

If these are properly inflated, vehicles use less fuel. A ___ is a cheap way to stay cool. (3)Do laundry in ____water to save energy. (4)Use an extra blanket and turn down the__________at bedtime. (10)When shopping, try to buy things with less ________they use less paper and wrappings of all kinds. (9)

Now that you have talked aboutenergy and energy conservation

in class, put yourself to the testand see how much you know.

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9 Teaching Notes

Instruction

Key Points

Solving these problems will test mathskills as well as knowledge of energyand the environment.

Every time we drive to work, use waterin our homes or do anything else thatuses energy from fossil fuels, we arecreating greenhouse gas emissions thatcontribute to climate change. Every stepwe take to conserve - no matter howsmall - incrementally makes a differenceand helps protect our environment.

Eachday:(3x40)+75=195litres

Eachweek:195x7=1365litres

=245litres

Each day:75 -40= 35 litres

Each week: 35 x 7

Every week Davids mom uses:

(30 + 30) x5 =300km

300x 1

20

EveryweekMariesdaduses:

(20+20)x5=200km

200x2.5

20

EveryweekMariesdadwouldsave:200x1=10litres

25litres-10litres

20

=15litres

=25litres

=15litres

a)

b)

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10 Teaching Notes

Instruction

Key Points

Renewable resources are a veryimportant part of saving energy andthe environment. Each student willmake a presentation about one ofthe five following forms of renewableenergy so that the class learns moreabout these precious resources.

A brief discussion of each renewableenergy source will help students decidewhich subject they would like to present.

Renewable energy resources are readilyavailable (like sunshine) or are naturallyreplenished (like rivers) or can be

replenished (biomass crops or plantingtrees). These energy sources are veryimportant to energy conservation.

Useyourownmarkingscheme

togradethepresentations.

SeetheGlossaryofTerms

formorecompletedefinitions.

Framing the discussion

We can capture solar energy in two main ways.

An example of passive solar energy is opening curtains

in winter to let the sun shine in and help heat the air.

An example of active solar energy is using solar panels

to make electricity, as with a solar-powered calculator.

Hydromeanswater-

generatedelectricity:

itaccountsformore

than60percentof

electricityused

inCanada.

Geothermal energycomes

straight fromtheEarth-

avolcanoisanextreme

exampleof geothermal

energybeingreleased.

Windisenergyonthe

move.Todayweuse

modernwindmillsto

capturethisfree,

clean,renewable

energy.

Biomassenergycomes

fromplantsandother

organicmaterials,suchas

wood,woodby-products,

grassesandcorn,oilseedcrops,agricultural

and

cropwastes.

Hydro-electricity

Geothermal energy

Solarenergy

Wind energy Biomass energy

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Learning Activity 10

BasicsRenewable energy resources are replenishedabout as fast as they are used. By renewable,we mean solar energy, wind energy, hydro-electric power, geothermal energy andbiomass energy. These energy sourcesare very important to energy conservation.

22

canren.gc.cacanren.gc.ca

Decide which of the five energysources you would like to talkabout.

Find a picture of the energy

source or an object that ispowered by the energy source.

Prepare a definition of theenergy source.

Identify two things that youcan do to use this type ofrenewable energy moreefficiently.

Maybe the NRCat can help!Visit www.canren.gc.ca.

Ask your teacher for a copy ofthe Energy and the Environmentglossary - it has definitions ofeach energy source.

The Internet has lots ofinformation about renewableresources.

Hydro-ElectricityHydro-Electricity

SolarEnergy

SolarEn

ergy

Wind EnergyWind EnergyBiomassEnergyBiomassEnergy

GeothermalGeothermalEnergyEnergy

Now that your class has talkea bit about each of the fivetypes of renewable energy,it is time to prepare apresentation that you willmake to the class.


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Biomass energy comes from plants and other organic materials, such as wood, woodby-products, grasses, corn, oilseed crops and agricultural and crop wastes. These resources -known as feedstock - can be burned to produce heat or converted to fuel like ethanol throughbiological or chemical processes. When biomass is burned, technologies can be used tolimit emissions.

BiomassEnergy(renewableenergy)

Climate change is the change in average weather over time and over a region. It includes changes in temperature,wind patterns and precipitation. Today climate change is a serious issue because it is taking place quite quicklyand on a global scale. Human activity - especially the burning of fossil fuels for energy over the past 150 years - isan important cause.

ClimateChange

Energy efficiency means doing the same work while using less energy. Another way to look at it is to get moreusefulness out of energy by losing less as waste. For example, newer small cars generally use less fuel andrelease fewer harmful emissions. Energy efficiency is a key principle in energy conservation and reducinggreenhouse gas emissions. Energy efficiency is achieved in three key ways: developing alternative sources ofenergy, especially renewable energies; creating new or improved technologies, like hybrid cars; and changing

our behaviours, from simple actions like turning off lights to major undertakings such as regulating industry.

EnergyEfficiency

Geothermal energy comes straight from the Earth - for example, in the form of volcanoes and hot springs.Canada does not have much energy of this active type. But we can take advantage of passive geothermalenergy, which is simply the sun's heat absorbed by the earth. In Canada, the ground is warmer than the airin winter and cooler than the air in summer. So, we can use pumps to draw warmth from the ground in winterto heat buildings and draw coolness in summer.

GeothermalEnergy(renewableenergy)

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Greenhouses are designed to capture and concentrate the sun's heat in order to growplants that would not survive outside. Similarly, the Earth's atmosphere acts like ablanket that keeps just the right amount of the sun's heat in to support life on ourplanet. This is called the greenhouse effect. It is greenhouse gases in the atmosphere(water vapour, methane, ozone, nitrous oxide and, especially, gases carbon dioxide)that absorb and hold the sun's heat.

GreenhouseEffect

Moving water is moving energy. It is very powerful and can drive a turbine to generateelectricity. (Think Niagara Falls!) Have you experienced the energy of moving waterin a waterfall, a river or the ocean? Hydro means water-generated electricity: itaccounts for more than 60 percent of electricity used in Canada. Electricity can alsobe made from other sources. Clean electricity comes from renewable sourcessuch as wind, low-impact hydro, geothermal and ocean energy.

Hydro-electricity(renewableenergy)

The international unit of measure for energy. A joule is the energy produced by a power of one watt flowingfor one second. That's why our energy detective is named Inspector Joules!

Joule

Renewable energy comes from sources that are freely available (such as sunshine) or that are replenished naturally(like rivers) or can be replenished (like biomass crops) about as fast as we use them. The main types of renewableenergy are biomass, geothermal, hydro-electricity, solar and wind.

RenewableEnergy

The Sun is our ultimate source of energy. It continuously radiates the light that supports life on Earth. We can takeadvantage of solar energy in two main ways. Passive solar energy means doing something as simple as opening the

curtains in your bedroom in winter to let the sun shine in and help heat the air. Active solar energy typically meansusing solar panels to make electricity. Solar panels have photovoltaic cells - fancy word that means using light (photo)to create power (volts). A solar-powered calculator is a common example of this.

SolarEnergy(renewableenergy)

Wind is energy on the move. Humans have used windmills - towers with propellers, blades or sails - for almost2000 years to capture this free, clean, renewable energy. A turbine is the machine that turns the wind (flowing air)into electricity. Windmills today are often grouped together on wind farms.

WindEnergy(renewableenergy)

Current climate change is often referred to as global warming. It means that theaverage temperature on Earth is getting significantly warmer - with many seriousimpacts. These include melting polar ice, rising sea levels and increases in severeweather. Human activity - especially the burning of fossil fuels for energy overthe past 150 years - has pumped so much greenhouse gas into the atmospherethat this safety blanket is keeping in a lot more heat than in the past.

GlobalWarming

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How many of the 10 activities did you use?

What are the book's best features?

What would you change?

The activities are appropriate for Grades:

1-3 4-7 8-10

1-3 4-6 7-8

Thank you for your participation! Just drop your response in the mailbox!All personal information collected will be protected in accordance with the federal Privacy Act.

Pleasegradeuson:Overall Book

Teaching Notes

Classroom Poster

easy for students to understand?

interesting for students?useful in delivering the lesson?

Learning ActivitiesIn particular, are they:

A B C D Comments (especially if we get a C or D)

What Grade(s) do you teach?

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Municipality

AboutYou

This is the first edition of ourEnergy and the EnvironmentActivity Book. We'd like tohear your comments.


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Documents

Energy and Environment Activity-book