Educate students on the sources of energy available to us. Teach students about natural gas, petroleum, oil and coal by discussing the ways in which these materials are obtained and used. Students can them learn about solar energy and wind energy, and how these sources are harvested. Discuss nuclear power and hydroelectric sources. Devise a list of pros and cons for each energy source and compare them. Initiate a discussion with the students, allowing them to come to their own conclusions about the different resources and the effect they may have on our planet.
Discuss nuclear energy as part of a class lesson by focusing on how nuclear energy is created and harvested, and the benefits and dangers of this energy source. Discuss how matter can be changed into energy and how a chain reaction is used to create energy. To demonstrate how a chain reaction works, bring a set of dominoes to class. Have the students arrange rows of dominoes standing on end, evenly spaced apart. Demonstrate a chain reaction by knocking over one domino, which, in turn, knocks over the next and the next. Allow the students to experiment with the dominoes, then discuss the way that energy was created through these experiments.
Static electricity occurs when a charge builds up on the surface of an object. This build up is neutralized when the energy is discharged through another object. This can be explained to students by talking about lightning or the shock they may feel when touching a door knob after walking across a carpet. If there is carpet in the classroom, have some of the students demonstrate this phenomenon. As part of the lesson plan, provide each student with a balloon. Have the students rub the balloon on their head and then watch as their hair stands on end as they slowly remove the balloon. Next, tie strings to two balloons. Charge the balloons by rubbing them on the carpet or on a student's head. Allow the balloons to hang from the strings and watch as they move away from one another. Use this demonstration to discuss how static charges have an effect on objects.
A home energy audit is a project that can be given to the students as a homework assignment. An energy audit is an assessment of the efficiency of energy use in a home. Prepare a checklist of items for the students to look at in their homes. With the help of a parent or guardian, students can look into a number of potential energy savers. Have them check all the lights in the house, making note where standard bulbs can be replaced with energy efficient CFLs. The students can check all of the doors and windows, carefully feeling around the edges for drafts. A parent can help the student check electrical appliances that are plugged in and aren't being used. Have the students bring their completed checklists into class, then have a discussion about what the students can talk to their parents about in order to make their homes more energy efficient.