Entergy Solutions and NTC invite you to use these e-learning resources to teach your students about the importance of energy efficiency. The digital materials below are designed to get your students excited about understanding this important subject.
Want to know the best way to use the related games, handbooks and other lessons to educate your class? Watch this short video and learn how to add Energy Game Changers to your curriculum!
Our live in-school theatrical programs are a great way to educate students about a wide variety of important topics. Theatre has the ability to capture imaginations and educate at the same time! This 35-minute performance features two talented actors engaging the audience with interactive activities and humorous sketches that keep the students and staff laughing and learning.
The Energy Game Changers teaches viewers about the following educational points:
During the performance, your students will learn important lessons about natural resources and how to minimize human’s impact on the environment. You can use the lessons and activities on this page to prolong the engagement for months to come.
We know your class time is extremely valuable. That’s why we ensure that all of our digital e-learning materials are aligned with state and national educational standards. It’s important that the Energy Game Changers program adds to your existing curriculum and keeps students on track with their ongoing learning.
See below for details about how each digital activity aligns with educational standards and corresponds with your state’s curricula.
The Energy Game Changers student activities page features games, educational lessons, downloadable PDFs and more! Access in the classroom or at home to learn more about energy efficiency and have fun joining the Energy Game Changers!
This downloadable PDF features in-depth articles relating to the subject. The handbook is written in a way that appeals to both students and parents, allowing students to bring the handbook home to share.
Your students can enhance what they learn from the program with these fun, hands-on lessons and experiments. These lessons can be done in the classroom or easily adapted for students to do at home with their families.
Follow up with your students to make sure they enjoyed and learned from these activities.
Objective
Students will investigate a solar panel’s ability to produce volts and amps by collecting data on series vs. parallel circuits and angles of light collection.
Purpose of Activity
Read or Listen, Identify Details, Apply Skills
21st Century Skills
Critical Thinking, Collaboration
Cognitive Level
Strategic Thinking, Extended Thinking, Skills and Concepts
Class Time
50 minutes
Materials
Procedure
Critical Thinking Questions
What are some constraints to using solar energy?
Why is solar energy attractive?
Adapted from: https://energy.utah.gov/energy-education/curriculum/
Objective
Students will investigate the construction of batteries based on how different materials react with one another to produce electricity.
Purpose of Activity
Read or Listen, Identify Details, Apply Skills
21st Century Skills
Critical Thinking, Collaboration
Cognitive Level
Strategic Thinking, Extended Thinking, Skills and Concepts
Class Time
2 hours
Materials
Procedure
Critical Thinking Questions
What are some uses for batteries?
Why are scientists searching for new ways to store energy in batteries?
Adapted from: https://energy.utah.gov/energy-education/curriculum/
You’ve covered the basics of energy efficiency. If you really want to dig deep with your class, explore the expanded information and additional resources below.
These materials provide even more insight into the history, science, usage and importance of energy efficiency. There are also helpful links and tips.
Electromagnetic radiation is produced as the result of fusion reactions in the sun’s core. Some of the solar radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere as heat, and some of it falls on the Earth’s surface as light and heat. Solar cells, called photovoltaic cells (PV cells), convert the visible light directly into electricity. Solar cells produce direct current, just as a battery does. They can be used anywhere a battery is used. Many solar cells make up a solar panel. When a large amount of electricity is needed, many solar panels are connected to make a solar photovoltaic array.
The potential of photovoltaic (PV) cells as a renewable electricity source is enormous. Understanding the PV effect and the history of solar cells can provide a useful perspective on research and development in energy technology. PV cells are made of a semiconductor, a material that conducts electricity (but not as well as a metal). In PV cells, it’s most commonly silicon. Pure silicon is nearly an insulator – very little electricity will flow through it. When light particles, called photons, hit the cell, its energy frees electron-hole pairs.
If an external current path – like wires attached to each side of the silicon – is provided, electrons will flow. This electron flow provides the current. The electricity produced by a PV cell is direct current, like that produced by batteries. An inverter is often used to convert the direct current into alternating current, like that obtained from a standard outlet.
Adapted from: https://energy.utah.gov/energy- education/curriculum/
Follow-up, formative assessments for you to gauge the learning of your students are especially important with e-learning. Below are some suggestions for how you can assess your students’ performance quickly and effectively.
These assessments are easy for you and your students to complete and help ensure your class is getting the maximum educational value, retention and engagement from the related digital activities.
| Middle School Educational Assessments | Livestream | Hands-on lessons | Digital games | Interactive activities | PDFs & Print materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Draw a concept map | X | ||||
| Write three things another student may misunderstand about the topic | X | X | |||
| Journal reflection | X | X | X | ||
| Submit screenshot of completed activity | X | X | |||
| Hand in completed activity | X | ||||
| Have students make collages relating to the topic | X | X | |||
| Have students host their own talk show relating to the topic | X | ||||
Each student rolls a die and briefly answers aloud a question based on the number rolled:
|
X | ||||
| Present students with an analogy prompt: “The concept being covered is like ____ because ____.” |
X | X |
We take your feedback and suggestions very seriously. Hearing from educators with firsthand experience with our programs ensures that we continue to improve our digital resources, making them as beneficial as possible for you and your students.
Please complete this brief, two-minute evaluation to let us know what you thought. Enter the code you received on the half sheets from our actors or call us for your access code.
Thank you for your time and valuable input.