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Economics

Lesson Overview

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Lesson Material

Hello Educators! Check out the lesson overview for our High School Economics Learning Power in-class field trip on personal finance. Interested in us coming to your classroom?  Schedule a visit!

Georgia Standards of Excellence

Lesson Focus: Learn how daily choices in energy usage impact the power bill, practice power bill calculations, and apply rational decisions to make personal spending choices.

SSEF1. Analyze how scarcity affects the choices of individuals, businesses, and governments.

SSEF2. Give examples of how rational decision-making entails comparing the marginal benefits and the marginal costs of an action.

SSEPF1. Apply rational decision making to personal spending and saving choices.

Class Activities

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

  • Understand the relationship between energy usage and cost.
  • Differentiate between various energy conservation methods.
  • Describe the financial benefits of becoming more energy efficient.
  • Describe potential careers in the energy industry.

Energy Discussion

Describe how the supply and demand of/for electricity varies throughout the day and year.

Part 1: Discussion with Students About What Uses Power

Purpose of Activity:

  • Discuss things that lead to power usage.
  • Learn that your home is a system that requires electricity and that we try to manage the natural forces in the environment through the design of energy efficient homes.
  • Examine how demand for electricity has increased in American homes since the 1970’s.

Part 2: Energy Efficient Consumer Board Game

Purpose of Activity:

  • Recognize how energy usage is impacted by daily activities.
  • Use a rational decision making model to select one energy option over another.
  • Examine ways to become more energy efficient in your home.

Part 3: Group Discussion

Purpose of Activity:

  • Learn that teenagers usually have the biggest impact on energy use in a home.
  • Review methods and advantages of energy conservation.
  • Learn how to make smart energy choices.
  • Apply rational decision making to personal spending choices.

Part 4: Careers

Purpose of Activity:

  • Explore career opportunities available at Georgia Power.