At issue... |
Energy Use–What Is Energy? How Do We Use It? |
What do you think? |
- List the ways you use energy. What energy do you use at home, school, or work?
- What would one day without electricity be like
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Check it out!
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- What do we use every day that demands electricity?
- How does electricity get to us? Does everyone have equal access to electricity?
Clips:
Energy Sources Introduction
How Do We Use Electricity?
Electricity Supply
Energy Basics
-Generation
-Transmission
-Distribution
Kevin Waetke: Electricity Power Pool
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- How could the way the sun’s energy is harvested change the way we use it?
- Propose a way that solar power could be used that would increase its popularity and its ability to meet our energy needs.
Clips:
How Does Solar Work?
Cutting Edge Company
Frank Jeffrey: How Thin Film Works
Solar Power User
Why Solar?
Mike Kappus: Why Solar?
Frank Jeffrey: Solar in Iowa
Frank Jeffrey: Solar Storage
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At issue... |
Energy Basics–Where Do We Get Energy? |
What do you think? |
- What types of energy resources are used in your state?
- Predict a method of generating energy from a renewable source that could be popular by 2050.
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- How could biomass materials create energy?
- What makes wind power and solar power unpredictable or unreliable?
- What drawbacks do hydropower and geothermal power share?
Clips:
Norm Olson: What Is Biomass
Norm Olson: Bio-Diesel
Frank Jeffrey: Solar Storage
Tom Wind: Wind Limitations
Sandy Turner: How Geothermal Works
David Elschlager: How Hydropower Works
David Elschlager: Hydropower Benefits and Limitations
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Explore more.
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- How can hydrogen revolutionize energy production and use?
- Why is nuclear energy so controversial?
- How do you think fossil fuels will be used in the future?
Clips:
Senator Tom Harkin: Hydrogen—Fuel of the Future
Brent Barker: Hydrogen
Tom Wind: Hydrogen's Future
Tom Wind: Hydrogen and Renewables
Bruce Lacy: How Nuclear Works
Senator Tom Harkin: Energy at What Cost?
Tony Kovczek: Fossil Fuel Reliance
Tony Kovczek: Keeping Fossil Fuels in the Mix
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At issue... |
Consumption–What Factors Influence Energy Consumption? |
What do you think? |
- Make a list of energy conservation strategies you currently use.
- Brainstorm a list of energy conservation strategies you could use.
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Check it out!
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- How does population growth around the world affect energy demand?
- Is increasing the supply of electricity the only way to meet demand? What strategies could reduce demand?
Clips:
Consumption
U.S. vs. World Energy Consumption
Conservation
You Can Make a Difference
Kevin Waetke: Conservation
Mike Kappus: Consumption
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- How can the United States, as an industrialized nation, help countries without electricity? Should we?
- If we use energy at our current rate, where and how would other people in the world get their energy?
Clips:
U.S. vs. World Energy Consumption
Can We Meet Demand?
Kevin Waetke: Energy Demand
Brent Barker: Global Consumption Trends
Frank Jeffrey: Energy Consumption
Brent Barker: Nuclear Power’s Role
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At issue... |
Efficiency–How Does Efficiency Affect Our Future Energy Needs? |
What do you think? |
- What does energy efficiency mean? How does it differ from conservation?
- How does your school use energy? What energy inefficiencies do you notice in your school?
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Check it out!
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- Examine the efficiencies of different energy resources. What criteria should be considered when evaluating efficiency?
- Which resources are highly efficient? Which ones are not? Why?
Clips:
Coal Supply and New Technologies
The Promise of Nuclear Power
Cutting Edge Company and a Solar Power User
Wind Power: How Much Power?
The Potential of Hydropower
Considering Biomass
Costs and Benefits of Geothermal
The Promise of Hydrogen
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Explore more.
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- What are some emerging concerns about energy efficiency? Why are they important?
- Evaluate the benefits of energy efficiency. What should be of highest concern? Why?
Clips:
Efficiency
David Hurd: Priority List
Tony Kovczek: Coal-Fired Efficiency
Brent Barker: Energy Efficiency
Angela Chen: Energy Efficiency
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At issue... |
Environment–How Does Energy Use Affect the Environment? |
What do you think? |
- How has our search for energy sources affected the environment?
- How has our current energy use affected the environment?
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Check it out!
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- Can fossil fuels be environment friendly? How?
- Do the benefits of nuclear power outweigh the potential harms to the environment?
Clips:
Environmental Impact and New Technologies
Tony Kovczek: Coal-Fired Efficiency
Tony Kovczek: Fossil Fuels and the Environment
Brent Barker: Nuclear Power’s Role
New Reactor Designs
Nuclear Waste
Brent Barker: Energy and the Environment
Frank Jeffrey: Fossil Fuels' Cost
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Explore more.
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- Evaluate an available renewable energy source for your state that is both economical and environment-friendly. Explain your choice and the reasons for your choice.
Clips:
Questions to Consider
David Elschlager: How Hydropower Works and Its Limitations
Sandy Turner: How Geothermal Works
Norm Olson: What Is Biomass
Mike Kappus: The Mix
Tom Wind: Hydrogen and Renewables
Tom Wind: How Wind Works and Its Limitations
Senator Tom Harkin: Hydrogen—Fuel of the Future
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At issue... |
Infrastructure–What Is the Relationship Between Energy and Infrastructure? |
What do you think? |
- How could laws change to support alternative energy source development? What needs to be done?
- Should private citizens be rewarded for using alternative energy sources? Why?
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Check it out!
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- If renewable energy is unlimited and environmentally clean, why isn’t it used more?
- What changes are needed to promote the use of cleaner and more efficient fuel types?
Clips:
Sandy Turner: Geothermal Costs
David Elschlager: Hydropower Limitations
Tom Wind: Hydrogen and Renewables
Brent Barker: Hydrogen
Angela Chen: Evaluating Energy Resources
Senator Tom Harkin: Energy at What Cost?
Senator Tom Harkin: Challenges for the Future
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Explore more.
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- What does "infrastructure" mean?
- Evaluate the problems of energy’s existing infrastructure. Why are these problems?
- Examine the complexities of infrastructure for new energy sources. Why are these obstacles?
Clips:
Brent Barker: Infrastructure
Senator Tom Harkin: Infrastructure
Tony Kovczek: Infrastructure
Senator Tom Harkin: Hydrogen—Infrastructure
Bruce Lacy: Nuclear's Future
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The Questions and Reflections section presents a series of questions and video clips that offer students the opportunity to examine and explore compelling content and timely issues through three levels of increasingly complex thinking and reasoning skills. "What do you think?" prepares students with previewing questions to help them anticipate the ideas they will encounter. "Check it out!" provides basic facts, expert opinions, and an introduction to the complexities of the issues. "Explore more." uses investigation and analysis as students explore in-depth information.