5 th Grade Alternative Energy Click on this picture to see a little history about our energy use and the importance for us to find alternative energy resources.

Intro to Alternative Energy You are about to watch a video created by the US Department of Energy. In this video, President Obama and scientific researchers express the need for our country to develop research and technology for alternative energy sources. As you watch, think about question below: – Based on what you heard in this video and the previous video, why do you think it is so important for our country to advance in alternative energy research and production? Click here to play the video:

What is Energy? Energy is one of the most fundamental parts of our universe. We use energy to do work. Energy lights our cities. Energy powers our vehicles, trains, planes and rockets. Energy warms our homes, cooks our food, plays our music, gives us pictures on television. Energy powers machinery in factories and tractors on a farm. Energy from the sun gives us light during the day. It dries our clothes when they're hanging outside on a clothes line. It helps plants grow. Energy stored in plants is eaten by animals, giving them energy. And predator animals eat their prey, which gives the predator animal energy.

What is Energy? Everything we do is connected to energy in one form or another. Energy is defined as: "the ability to do work." When we eat, our bodies transform the energy stored in the food into energy to do work. When we run or walk, we "burn" food energy in our bodies. When we think or read or write, we are also doing work. Many times it's really hard work! Cars, planes, light bulbs, boats and machinery also transform energy into work. Work means moving something, lifting something, warming something, lighting something.

What do we use energy for? Create a circle map showing all the ways that you use energy every day. Think about all the things that you do to get ready for school, to get to school, and the things you do throughout the day that require electricity or natural gas.

There are many sources of energy… Some things that we use oil, coal, and natural gas to produce electricity could be powered with alternative energy sources. Click on the picture below to see the renewable energy sources the world is using.

These alternative energy sources all produce electricity: Hydropower Solar Energy Biomass (Biogas) Wind Energy Geothermal But how is electricity made from these sources? Click on the link below to find out how electricity is generated.

How do generators make electricity?

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY~ DAY 1 1.Have your science at your table 2.Title: Geothermal Energy 3.Date: 01/22/16 4.Update your table of Contents

Vocabulary Connection geo = relating to the earth therm = heat geothermal = relating to the internal heat of the Earth Geothermal energy is power generated from natural steam, hot water, hot rocks, or lava in the Earth's crust. What other words have the prefix “geo” in them? How do those words relate to “the Earth”? What other words have the prefix or root word “therm” in them? How do those words relate to “heat”?

Where Geothermal Energy is Found Geothermal reservoirs are naturally occurring areas of hydrothermal resources. They are deep underground and are largely undetectable above ground. Geothermal energy finds its way to the earth's surface in three ways: How does it work? Volcanoes (or holes/cracks in the earth’s crust) Volcanoes Hot springs Geysers (See Old Faithful erupt: ) When magma comes near the earth's surface, it heats ground water trapped in porous rock or water running along fractured rock surfaces and faults. Hydrothermal features have two common ingredients, water (hydro) and heat (thermal). Geologists use various methods to find geothermal reservoirs. Drilling a well and testing the temperature deep underground is the most reliable method for locating a geothermal reservoir. Why does Old Faithful erupt on a schedule? Check this out to see how geysers erupt and recharge: Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

Geothermal Energy Basics Most geothermal resources are near tectonic plate boundaries The most active geothermal resources are usually found along major tectonic plate boundaries where earthquakes and volcanoes are located. One of the most active geothermal areas in the world is called the Ring of Fire. Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

Geothermal Energy Basics See how geothermal energy creates electricity: be ready to write this in your own words

Geothermal Energy Your teacher will show you an example of how power plants help us harness the energy of the earth.example In your notebook, sketch the model and label the parts. Write in your own words how electricity is generated using geothermal energy.

What conclusion can you make about how geothermal power plants work? – I used to think _____, but now I think ___. – Based on the information I just learned, I conclude that ___ is important because ___. – Because of ___, I now understand why ___. What testable questions do you have now? What variables would you be testing and which variables must you control? Geothermal Energy

Evaluating models: With your table group label Your illustration with the following information What do these things in our model represent? The boiling pot of water? The steam? The aluminum foil? The can? The pinwheel? What are the limitations of this model? Geothermal Energy

You and your partner already completed the Geothermal Row in your Energy chart…. Alternative Energy Definition How does it make energy? Examples/ Picture Hydroelectric Geothermal Wind BioMass Solar

Day 2 Research Open your Research Document and complete a 2 nd form for Geothermal You will use the Symbaloo website from Mrs. Aldridge’s web page as part of your research. Remember to save your changes with the blue square in the top left corner of your screen.

Geothermal Energy Research Use these links and the printed resources that your teacher provides to inform the public about geothermal energy. Include the same categories of information that you used to tell the public about the other forms of energy you have studied. Research links (This is a Symbaloo that has links to many different sites – not just wind turbines):