AP Environmental Science: Energy Speed Dating

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Lesson Title: Energy Speed Dating

Lesson Authors: Jennifer Ekstein

Audience/Course: AP Environmental Science/IB Environmental Systems and Societies

Time/Duration: 2 hours

Context: 

  • Ap Environmental Science: Unit 6: Topic 6.3, 6.5-11
  • IB Environmental Systems and Societies: Topic 7.1 Energy Sources and Security

Next Generation Science Standards:

Clean energy research naturally aligns with several Science and Engineering Practices outlined in NGSS. Students can engage in planning and carrying out investigations to explore different renewable energy technologies, construct explanations for how these technologies work and their environmental impact, and design solutions for energy efficiency or resource management. 

Disciplinary Core Ideas: NGSS disciplinary core ideas related to energy, such as PS3.A (Definitions of Energy), PS3. B (Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer), and ESS3.Natural Resources are crucial for understanding clean energy. Students can learn about different energy sources, their efficiency, and the consequences of their use. 

Crosscutting Concepts: Crosscutting concepts like patterns, cause and effect, and energy and matter are also relevant. Students can explore the relationship between energy sources, their environmental impact, and the need for sustainable practices.

 

Goals and Objectives

Student Pairs will develop a “dating profile” of their chosen energy source.  Students will rotate, pair to pair, to evaluate the pros and cons of renewable and non-renewable energy.

Clean Energy, Energy Efficiency, Resiliency Focus

This activity can be used to highlight the importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources and discuss the role of various energy sources in achieving a cleaner energy future.  In addition,  the activity can highlight technologies or practices that improve a system’s ability to withstand disruptions (e.g., solar with battery storage, microgrids, weatherization).  Additionally, the speed dating activity teaches students about energy efficiency and resiliency by making the learning process interactive, through evaluation and comparison. It can encourage students to think critically about how different technologies and behaviors impact the energy system’s performance and reliability over time, as well as make informed choices for their family.  Students can learn how different solutions contribute to energy resiliency, such as maintaining power during storms or grid failures, through extension activities such as the 2021 Texas Power Crisis.  Each “date” or station presents a different solution, allowing students to compare and contrast their effectiveness, cost, and feasibility. Therefore, students must evaluate which technologies or strategies offer the best energy savings, balancing performance, cost, and ease of implementation helps them understand real-world trade-offs and priorities in energy-efficient choices.

Clean Energy Workforce Connections

Connection to Green Jobs:

This activity can be expanded to discuss the various green jobs associated with each energy source. For example, students could learn about solar panel installers, wind turbine engineers, tidal installation, or nuclear energy technicians. 

Career Exploration:

The Energy Speed Dating Activity can lead to discussions about the skills and education required for green jobs, such as STEM fields, environmental science, geoengineering, or renewable energy engineering. 

Real-World Applications:

By understanding the intricacies of different energy sources and the jobs involved in their development and implementation, students can better appreciate the role of sustainable energy in addressing environmental challenges.

Climate Change/Climate Justice Connections

Students will explore how the energy sources they are learning about are connected to climate change.

  • Discuss how different energy sources contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and the overall climate change problem. 
  • Consider how transitioning to renewable energy sources can help reduce emissions and mitigate climate change.

Evidence of Student Learning (assessments) 

Informal/Checks for Understanding:

  • Performance on Common Formative Assessments
  • Think-Pair Share
  • Asking Open-Ended Questions
  • Observations: Monitoring Engagement: Keeps students actively involved, enhancing retention.
  • Exit Slips – Graphic Organizer
  • Pre-Post Survey

Formal:

  • Summative Test/Exam

Instructions for Learning Activities

  1. Students either sign up as pairs or individuals, depending on class size (list is on the graphic organizer)
  2. Topic Research: Participants research a specific topic, such as a form of energy or an energy concept (e.g., biomass, wind energy, energy transfer). 
  3. Role Assignment: Each participant takes on the role of their researched topic and prepares to discuss it and write down their research on their Energy Speed Dating Profile Sheet. 
  4.  Speed Dating Format: Participants are paired up for short periods, typically 2-3 minutes, to discuss their assigned topic. 
  5. Rotation: After a set time, the participants rotate to a new partner, allowing them to engage with different perspectives. 
  6. Discussion and Engagement: During each “date,” participants discuss the topic, share their research, and potentially come up with examples or scenarios. Advantages and disadvantages are discussed as well as environmental impacts, job skills needed (modified).
  7. Students write down the information on a graphic organizer (included)
  8. Closure: After all the rotation, a whole group discussion about what they learned with student-driven questions and comments.

Resources and Materials

  • Types of Energy: Evaluative/Compare and Contrast Chart – Graphic Organizer
  • Energy Speed Dating Profile Sheet
  • Laptop
  • Textbook if available
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