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Science lesson plan · 9th grade (Year 10 in England) · 30 minutes

Compare energy resources for generating electricity

Energy

CCSS NGSS.HS-ESS3-2CCSS NGSS.HS-ETS1-3CCSS NGSS.SEP 7England: GCSE Combined Science: Energy (national and global energy resources)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Compare energy resources for generating electricity.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Renewable and non-renewable energy resources

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: Wind-up toys or a pendulum, Energy transfer diagrams, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Renewable and non-renewable energy resources). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Is this energy resource renewable or non-renewable: biofuel from crops? (renewable / non-renewable) → renewablePrompt: Will it run out, or is it replaced naturally?
  2. What is a disadvantage of wind turbines? (They release lots of carbon dioxide while working / Wind will run out / They do not generate electricity when there is no wind / They burn coal) → They do not generate electricity when there is no windPrompt: What if the air is still?
  3. Energy resources: which statement is NOT true? (Nuclear power stations do not release carbon dioxide while generating electricity. / Renewable resources never have any environmental impact. / Coal, oil and gas are fossil fuels. / Hydroelectric power uses falling water.) → Renewable resources never have any environmental impact.Prompt: Will uranium last forever?

Hook · 3 min

  • Wind up a toy or stretch an elastic band and ask where the energy goes.
  • Share the objective: Compare energy resources for generating electricity. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Is this energy resource renewable or non-renewable: nuclear fuel (uranium)?
  • Step 1: Non-renewable resources will run out because they are not replaced.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: non-renewable
  • Answer: non-renewable
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Is this energy resource renewable or non-renewable: nuclear fuel (uranium)? (renewable / non-renewable) → non-renewablePrompt: Will it be replaced naturally within a human lifetime?
  2. In one year a country generated 200 TWh of electricity. Renewables supplied (TWh): wind 30, solar 22, hydroelectric 14. What percentage of the electricity came from these renewables? → 33 %Prompt: Add the renewable amounts.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Why is a gas power station useful even in a grid with lots of renewables? (It produces no carbon dioxide / It works without fuel / Gas is renewable / It can be started up quickly to meet sudden demand) → It can be started up quickly to meet sudden demandPrompt: Compare start-up times.
  2. Is this energy resource renewable or non-renewable: nuclear fuel (uranium)? (renewable / non-renewable) → non-renewablePrompt: Will it be replaced naturally within a human lifetime?

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Renewable and non-renewable energy resources.
  • Use concrete materials: wind-up toys or a pendulum.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-9.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Compare energy resources for generating electricity

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Why are large batteries and pumped hydro storage being built alongside renewables?

    • A. To replace transmission lines
    • B. Because renewables need batteries to start
    • C. To make renewables produce more carbon dioxide
    • D. To store surplus energy and release it when demand is high or generation is low

  2. Question 2

    Is this energy resource renewable or non-renewable: nuclear fuel (uranium)?

    • A. renewable
    • B. non-renewable

  3. Question 3

    In one year a country generated 400 TWh of electricity. Renewables supplied (TWh): wind 72, solar 20, hydroelectric 16. What percentage of the electricity came from these renewables?

    Answer%

  4. Question 4

    Why is a gas power station useful even in a grid with lots of renewables?

    • A. It produces no carbon dioxide
    • B. Gas is renewable
    • C. It can be started up quickly to meet sudden demand
    • D. It works without fuel

  5. Question 5

    Is this energy resource renewable or non-renewable: solar?

    • A. renewable
    • B. non-renewable

  6. Question 6

    In one year a country generated 400 TWh of electricity. Renewables supplied (TWh): wind 72, solar 44, hydroelectric 36. What percentage of the electricity came from these renewables?

    Answer%

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Answer key: Compare energy resources for generating electricity

  1. 1. D. To store surplus energy and release it when demand is high or generation is low

  2. 2. B. non-renewable

  3. 3. 27 %

  4. 4. C. It can be started up quickly to meet sudden demand

  5. 5. A. renewable

  6. 6. 38 %