Pennies & Pinwheels

Students will:

·  Determine the difference between renewable and nonrenewable energy sources.

·  Explain the benefits to the environment of using renewable energy.

·  Identify the advantages and disadvantages of different forms of renewable energy.

·  Recommend one type of renewable energy for their school.

Materials

Computer with Internet access; 30 pennies; plastic pinwheels; a stopwatch; a radio; access to someone with knowledge of school’s current energy sources (optional)

Background Information

Just about everything we do requires energy!

Energy is divided into two groups—renewable (an energy source that can be replenished in a short period of time) and nonrenewable (an energy source that can be used up without the ability to recreate in a short period of time).

We get most of our energy from nonrenewable energy sources, which include the fossil fuels—oil, natural gas and coal. Renewable energy sources include solar energy (from the sun), wind, geothermal energy (from the earth’s heat), biomass (from wood and other plant matter), and hydropower (from water). Renewable and nonrenewable energy sources can be used to produce secondary energy sources including electricity and hydrogen. We use all these energy sources to generate the electricity we need for our homes, businesses, schools and factories.

There are advantages and disadvantages to using both renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. Nonrenewable sources are typically less expensive and they don’t require specific actions like sunlight or wind in order to work. But releasing them can be damaging to the environment and they will run out. Nonrenewable energy sources are environmentally friendly and essentially limitless but they can be more costly.

The United States uses a lot of energy—in fact, the average American consumes six times more energy than the world average. Efficiency and conservation are key components of energy sustainability—the concept that every generation should meet its energy needs without compromising the energy needs of future generations. In order to create energy sustainability—and be environmentally responsible—it’s important to research and implement renewable energy technologies into our lives.

Procedure

Note: Before beginning the lesson, hide 30 pennies around the room.

  1. As students enter the room, have the radio playing a station or song that students likely listen to. Ask students to explain how the radio is currently getting its energy (it can be battery or electricity). Ask students what would happen if the batteries “died” or the electricity went off. (The radio would stop working). Has a limit or change in energy source ever stopped something from working in students’ lives? Explain.
  2. Tell students that you have hidden pennies around the room that represent an energy source for the radio. Every 10 pennies will make the radio play for one minute. Challenge students to find the pennies and play the radio for one minute each time 10 pennies are found. (The pennies will be harder and harder to find as students continue the exercise). Once all 30 pennies are found—or when students give up—turn the radio off.
  3. Next tell students that the radio will be powered by a different energy source. Distribute the plastic pinwheels and tell students that the radio will play as long as the pinwheels are moving. Have students create a strategy to keep the radio playing. After 10 minutes (or until students get tired!), stop the exercise.
  4. Discuss:

o  Once the pennies ran out, what happened? Could they be renewed?

o  What about the air on the pinwheels? Did that run out? Could it be renewed?

Post a picture of pennies on one side of board, a pinwheel on the other. Ask class for pros and cons of each, then discuss...

o  What if the pennies as an energy source caused damage to the environment but were inexpensive? Would they use them?

o  What if the pinwheels as an energy source cost three times as much but did not cause damage to the environment? How would that impact their decision to use them?

o  In what way did this exercise represent our current energy sources?

  1. Explain, or have students explain, the differences between nonrenewable energy sources and renewable energy sources. Why is it important for us to use renewable energy in this country? Why don’t more people use renewable energy? Do students know if renewable energy is used in your community? What about your school?

Hand out Renewable vs. non renewable one pager, go over.