Lesson 6: People Have the Power!

Electricity Generation

Overview

Where does electricity that is used to light our homes, schools, and businesses come from? In this lesson, students investigate how electricity is generated on a wide scale basis. The major components of electric production: the turbine, the generator, and energy source are introduced in this lesson.

Key Ideas

Electricity can be generated using a variety of energy sources.
Presently, the majority of electricity generated uses some of the same methods that have been used for over 100 years.
Electricity generation most commonly involves a turbine and generator.
Some energy sources are renewable and some energy sources are nonrenewable.

Lesson Goals

Students will:

explore how electricity is generated.
investigate several energy sources used in the generation of electricity.
consider why different energy sources are used in the generation of electricity.
be introduced to the idea that some energy sources are renewable and some energy sources are nonrenewable.

Lesson Resources

Download Lesson Plan (11 pages, 460 KB)

Power Point Picture Set of Power Generation Methods (9776 KB)

Wind Power Puzzle with Lines Class PowerSleuth Power Puzzles

Download puzzle sets with or without lines and/or individual puzzle pieces.
(Puzzles without lines could be used as posters as well.)

Zip File Icon Teacher Resource 6.1: PuzzlesWithLines.zip
Teacher Resource 6.1: PuzzlesWithoutLines.zip
Teacher Resource 6.3: Class Puzzle Pieces.zip

Teacher Resource 6.2: Puzzle Descriptions

Go on a Virtual Power Plant Tour

Online Resources

Take a virtual walk through a hydroelectric power plant

Learn more about how electricity is generated, renewable and nonrenewable energy sources, and the importance of conservation and using energy efficiently by selecting "You've Got the Power" from the Energy Quest's movie menu. (Approximately 12 minutes)

Article from Science News for Kids: "Weaving with Light" describes how native Huichol people live much the way their ancestors did—without electricity until the development of light-producing textiles.

Debate the pros and cons of the historic "Flooding of Flagstaff, Maine."

My Light by Molly Bang companion website

Connection to Maine Agencies

MEEP (Maine Energy Education Program) has a Great Energy Debate Game (4th to 12th grade). In this debate, students take on the real world challenge of convincing others that one energy source is the best.

MEEP also has a Coal-fired Power Plant Activity. Students learn how electricity is made in a power plant and discuss the pros and cons of using coal. They then discover alternative ways to spin a turbine to run a generator. A MEEP representative and will come to interested schools, free of charge, to guide either of these activites.

For schools in Aroostook County, a Maine Public Service (MPS) representative will come to interested schools, free of charge, to guide and support concepts developed in this lesson.