Skip to main content

Environmental

Lesson Overview

environmental_video_thumb.jpg

Lesson Material

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

Georgia Standards of Excellence

Environmental Science:

Lesson Focus: Evaluate sustainability of resources and discuss usage and consumption of renewable/ non-renewable energy sources.

SEV3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to evaluate types, availability, allocation, and sustainability of energy resources.

  • b. Construct an argument based on data about the risks and benefits of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. (Clarification statement: This may include, but is not limited to, the environmental, social, and economic risks and benefits.)
  • c. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate data to predict the sustainability potential of renewable and non-renewable energy resources.

Class Activities

Lesson Objectives

Students will be able to:

  • Define sustainability
  • Evaluate the sustainability of various types of energy sources
  • Describe risks and benefits of renewable and non-renewable energy sources
  • Construct and defend arguments that predict the sustainability of renewable and non-renewable energy resources using data

Part 1: Discussion: Energy Overview

Purpose of Activity

  • Learn about energy sources, energy efficiency and careers within our company
  • Using prior knowledge, determine which energy source is best suited to move Georgia in the next generation

Part 2: Activity Sheet: Sustainability Cube

Purpose of Activity

  • Review the three elements of sustainability – environmental, economic, and social
  • Investigate various renewable and non-renewable energy sources

Part 3: C-E-R (Claims, Evidence, and Reasoning) Framework

Purpose of Activity

  • Construct an argument of why their energy source is the most sustainable based on the three elements of sustainability
  • Convince peers of energy source sustainability and defend arguments with newly acquired understandings

Part 4: Group Vote: Energy Scoreboard

Purpose of Activity

  • Using newly acquired knowledge, determine which energy source is best suited to move Georgia in the next generation
  • Learn how to be more sustainable and energy efficient in the future

Part 5: Wrap Up

Purpose of Activity

  • Assess student increase in knowledge of energy efficiency
  • Determine commitment to become more energy efficient 
  • Assess interest in GA power careers