Information for Teachers

Future solar decathletes are in your classroom today—and you can help get them excited about science and solar energy. This page offers information about science project lesson plans and student activities.

General Educational Resources

Educational resources for all ages.

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

• For Educators — Dozens of links to information about a wide variety of energy topics.

• Energy Education & Training — This site features links to educational and training resources on energy, particularly energy efficiency and renewable energy.

• About Photovoltaics (PV) — Learn about PV from DOE.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

• NREL Education Programs — Teacher and student programs and competitions, as well as curriculum, activities and projects from NREL.

• Learning about Renewable Energy — Basic information on energy efficiency and various applications of renewable energy.

Energy Information Administration (EIA)

• Classroom Activities — Background information and activities for students of all ages.

• Kids Page — Main student entry page of EIA, offering fun facts, a Kid's Corner, and online resources.

Energy Quest

• Resources for Teachers — Various energy and environmental education materials and resources for parents and teachers.

• Lesson Plans — A sampling of energy and science education resources available online.

National Energy Education Development (NEED)

• Curriculum Materials — Several of NEED's activities and curriculum guides available in PDF format.

Alliance to Save Energy

• Educator Lesson Plans — Download free hands-on, multidisciplinary educator lesson plans in the area of energy.

Florida Solar Energy Center

• Curriculum Materials — A collection of lesson plans about renewable energy and energy efficiency.

• Teacher Resources — A comprehensive collection of links to many energy Web sites.

Elementary School Lesson Plans/Activities

Energy Information Administration

• Primary Explorations — Energy activities for students in grades K-3.

• Elementary Explorations — Energy activities for students in grades 4-7.

Energy Quest

• Resources for Teachers — Energy education resources for teachers and parents.

Alliance to Save Energy

• Elementary Lesson Plans — A variety of lessons suitable for grades K-5.

Texas State Energy Conservation Office

• Elementary School Renewable Energy Lesson Plans — Lesson plans and fact sheets on renewable energy for fourth graders.

Middle School Lesson Plans/Activities

Energy Information Administration

• Solar Hot Dog Cooker — Use the heat of the sun to cook a hot dog.

• Intermediate Explorations — Energy activities for students in grades 6-9

Alliance to Save Energy

• Middle School Lesson Plans — These lesson plans are suitable for students in grades 6-8.

Florida Solar Energy Center

• Solar Matters III — A solar energy science unit for intermediate sixth through eighth grade teachers and students.

Texas State Energy Conservation Office

• Middle School Renewable Energy Lesson Plans — Lesson plans and fact sheets on renewable energy for students in sixth grade.

High School Lesson Plans/Activities

Energy Information Administration

• Secondary Explorations — Energy activities for students in grades 9-12.

Alliance to Save Energy

• High School Lesson Plans — These lessons are suitable for grades 9-12.

Florida Solar Energy Center

• Solar Wonders — Award- winning solar energy science unit for high school teachers and students.

• Understanding Solar Energy — A solar energy science unit for students in grades 9-12.

Texas State Energy Conservation Office

• High School Renewable Energy Lesson Plans — Lesson plans and fact sheets on renewable energy for students in ninth grade.

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