Let's create continuous conversations about climate change education: Spreading the Sediment of Science!

Essentials of Environmental Science: How We Make Energy

Provided by: Hot Mess |Published on: April 27, 2021

Videos Grades 6-8, 9-12

Synopsis

This video from Hot Mess explains how humans use a variety of energy sources to produce electrical power.
Students will learn how non-renewable energy sources (oil, coal, natural gas, and nuclear fission) and renewable energy sources (wind, hydropower, geothermal, and solar) impact the environment differently.

Subjects: Physics, Earth and Space Sciences, Engineering

Authors: Hot Mess,

Region: Global

Languages: English

Positives

The infographic presented at 3 minutes, 20 seconds provides an excellent visual overview of both types of energy sources and how they produce electricity.
This video provides a straightforward introduction to many types of energy sources, how they are sourced, and the effects they have on the environment.

Prerequisites

Advertisements play at the beginning and the mid-point of the video.
They do not mention tidal power or kinetic power sources (such as kinetic energy tiles and surfaces) that are currently in development or in use in some locations.
This video is a part of the Hot Mess video series, Essentials of Environmental Science.

Differentiation & Implementation

Science and social studies classes can discuss the costs of these different types of energy that are not accounted for, such as the costs to human health through air pollution and water pollution, or the costs of losing drinking water and land to steam plants, mining operations, pipelines, and waste disposal sites.
Physics classes can learn more about nuclear fission with this Kurzgesagt - In a Nutshell video and then discuss whether the safeguards in nuclear power plants provide enough protection from possible catastrophes.
Other resources on this topic include this e-book on renewable energy, this interactive map of energy infrastructure in the United States, and this text on nonrenewable energy.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.