A teacher’s toolkit designed for 8-12th grade in Alabama.

Energy is in action around us – from our classrooms to our communities! Broken into 4 class sessions, with an optional activity at the end, Energy in Action is a collection of guided lessons and interactive activities to help your class discover where Alabama’s electricity comes from, how utilities are shaping our clean energy future, and what we can do to save energy at home and at school.

Through hands-on activities and localized discussions, your students will learn how to conduct a school energy audit and gain tools to explore their role in Alabama’s clean energy transition. These detailed materials empower you to bring energy into action in your classroom!

Class Session 1: Energy Basics

Where does Alabama’s electricity come from? How does this compare to the rest of the U.S. and the world? Review nonrenewable resources and their impacts on our environment.

Activity: Energy Basics Bingo, Energy Explorer MadLib
Additional Materials: Teacher Activity Guide, optional bingo chips/markers

Go To Session 1 Resources ↓

Class Session 2: Renewable Energy

Renewable energy sources are on the rise across the world, and they are the energy of the future in Alabama. What clean energy sources are available in our state? Discuss energy burden associated with our current grid and its impacts on Alabamians.

Activity: Sun in a Jar (from KidWind) or Wind Farms of the Future Data Puzzles

Go To Session 2 Resources ↓

Class Session 3: Sustainability in Our Communities

How do our building and community planning practices impact our energy use? Investigate the basics of building science to understand how we can improve efficiency and reduce energy usage. Dive deeper with webgames to enhance students’ learning.

Activity: Efficiency Investigation
Equipment Needed: Infrared thermometer, optional thermal imaging camera

Go To Session 3 Resources ↓

Class Session 4: Finding Your Role

What opportunities are there for students to take part in the clean energy transition? Explore individual and school-based actions that can make a difference for our grid.

Activity: Vampire Power Patrol
Equipment Needed: Watt-meter, light meter, calculator

Go To Session 4 Resources ↓

Optional Session 5 Extend Activity: Conduct a School Energy Audit

The lessons and activities covered in Sessions 1-4 should prepare students to conduct a school energy audit and empower them to develop an Energy Action Plan. Students should be encouraged to present this plan to school administrators and decision-makers – enabling them to practice civic engagement and take pride in all they have learned.

Activity: Watt’s Next? Energy Action Challenge

• Teacher Guide
• Student Worksheet
• School Energy Action Plan

Equipment Needed: Watt-meter, infrared thermometer, light meter, optional thermal imaging camera

Go To Session 5 Resources ↓

Energy Alabama has kits that you can checkout!

For Educators in Madison, Limestone, and Tuscaloosa Counties (AL)

In partnership with Free 2 Teach, Energy Alabama has made Energy in Action kits available to check out.
Educators from Madison or Limestone Counties, in Alabama, GO HERE to check out a kit for your class.
Educators from Tuscaloosa County, in Alabama, GO HERE to check out a kit for your class.

For Educators in Other Areas

If you are outside these areas, you can reach out to [email protected] for information on how to check out a kit, purchase your own kit, or assemble your own from the materials list below.

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Kit Contents:

Sun in a Jar Kits:
    Glass Jar with Lid
    Solar Panel
    Switch Board
    Light
Mini Screwdrivers

Alligator Clips with Test Lead
Digital Multimeter
Thermohygrometer
Infrared Thermometer Gun
FLIR Thermal Camera w/ Charging Cable
Watt Meter and Light Meter

Standards Covered

SC23.ES.6 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to describe the use of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources.
SC23.ES.6b Construct an argument based on data about the risks and benefits of using renewable and nonrenewable energy sources in Alabama.
SC23.ES.8 Construct or revise a claim based on evidence of the effects of human activities on Earth’s systems, natural resources, and ecosystem services.
SC23.ES.8b⚙ Use engineering practices to evaluate and refine a current solution designed to protect natural resources from anthropogenic sources of atmospheric, terrestrial, or aquatic pollution.
SC23.ES.13⚙ Design and defend a sustainability plan to reduce an individual’s ecological footprint, taking into account how market forces and societal demands influence personal choices.
SC23.PS.1 Evaluate sources of information concerning the law of conservation of energy to illustrate energy transformations in practical applications and natural systems.
SC23.ES.9 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information based on evidence to explain how key natural resources, natural hazards, and climate variability influence human activity and welfare.