Bell Ringer

Instructions: Select one of the Bell Ringers for students to reflect on and answer. 

Vocabulary List

Instructions: Go over important terms and their definitions before watching the Hydropower in Africa video. The student vocabulary list can be found in the Student Guide and Hydropower in Africa – Starter Pack.

WordDefinitionExample
Hydroelectric Damsnoun phrase; large structures built across rivers to store water and generate electricity by controlling water flow “Most of [the electricity] comes from hydroelectric dams.”
Navigateverb; to manage or work through challenges or processes over time“The issues they’re managing here will be the same ones other countries navigate as they develop hydropower.”
Hydropowernoun; energy produced from moving water, often used to generate electricity“The issues they’re managing here will be the same ones other countries navigate as they develop hydropower.”
Industrializationnoun; the process of building factories, infrastructure, and systems that allow a country to produce goods and energy on a large scale“[Ethiopia] is leading toward industrialization.”
Transmission Linenoun phrase; a system of wires or cables used to carry electricity over long distances from power plants to users“We are building a big transmission line to Kenya . . .”
Venuenoun; a place where something happens or is planned to happen, especially an event or activity“. . . which will be a venue to be connected to the Southern African grid.”
Gridnoun; a network of power plants, wires, and equipment that distribute electricity to homes and businesses“. . . which will be a venue to be connected to the Southern African grid.”
Displacedadjective; forced to move from a home or area, often due to construction or development projects“[He] has written about the several thousand people who are being displaced by this project.”
Primitiveadjective; relating to a way of living with limited access to modern tools, technology, or infrastructure“It was a very primitive way of living.”
Bushnoun; a remote, undeveloped area with natural vegetation, far from cities or modern infrastructure“We used to live in the bush; we knew nothing of the outside world.”
Modernizationnoun; the process of moving toward newer systems, technology, and ways of living“Now they are coming to modernization.”
Minimal Impactsnoun phrase; small or limited effects on the environment or surrounding communities“[Dams] have to be properly selected [and] designed so they have minimal impacts.”
Beneficiariesnoun; people or groups who receive advantages or benefits from something“And the beneficiaries of that dam should be the people who need it most.”
Economynoun; the system of jobs, industries, and resources that allows people in a place to earn money and meet their needs.“Without electricity, transformation of the economy and the coming out of poverty is impossible.”
Povertynoun; the condition of having very little income or resources to meet basic needs“Without electricity, transformation of the economy and the coming out of poverty is impossible.”
Droughtnoun; a long period of time with little or no rainfall, leading to water shortages“Who knows what might happen if a drought reduces both Ethiopia’s electricity generation and the downstream countries’ water supply?

Quiz 

Instructions: Review key concepts after watching the Hydropower in Africa video. The Student Guide and Hydropower in Africa – Starter Pack contain the quiz and cloze notes.
Quiz Answer Key: Q1:D Q2:B Q3:B Q4:A Q5:A Q6:D Q7:C
Cloze Notes Answer Key: hydroelectric, economic, electricity, displacement, healthcare, designed, benefit

Data Set

Instructions: Provide students with the Hydropower in Africa – Data Set for data literacy and analysis practice.

Source: Our World In Data

Source: IEA

Answer Key:
Question 1: Natural gas (60-65% of total electricity generation) is Tanzania’s main source in 2023. This suggests reliance on fossil fuels for stable electricity. It may have developed natural gas resources to provide more stable and reliable electricity compared to hydropower, which can vary with rainfall.
Question 2: Ethiopia stays very high and stable, about 95-100% hydropower throughout 2000-2023, with only small dips. Tanzania declined from about 85-90% in 2000 to about 25% in 2023, with a sharp drop in the mid-2000s.
Question 3: Ethiopia remains heavily dependent on hydropower, suggesting strong investment in dams and water resources. Tanzania shifts away from hydropower, indicating a more diversified energy system, and the expansion of natural gas reliance as hydropower’s share declined.
Question 4: Answers will vary. (Examples: Advantages could include lower carbon emissions during production compared to alternatives, and less dependence on imported fuels. Drawbacks could include vulnerability to supply disruptions, as lack of diversity can make the energy system less reliable.
Question 5: Answers will vary. (Example: Future changes depend on climate variability affecting water supply, population and economic growth increasing electricity demand, investments in new technologies, and government policies.)

Hydroelectric Dam Research Project

Instructions: Use the Hydroelectric Dam Research Project – Student Handout and the following Teacher Guide to conduct the activity.

Introduction

In this project, students will choose and investigate a real-world hydroelectric dam to understand how hydropower production impacts economies, environments, and communities. Through this research project, students will engage with authentic data and evaluate the trade-offs involved in energy infrastructure decisions.

Hydropower provides significant benefits such as reliable electricity and flood control, but it can also lead to environmental disruption and social displacement. This project emphasizes evidence-based reasoning as students evaluate these trade-offs and determine the best course of action for their selected dam—whether it should continue as it is, be modified, expanded, or decommissioned.

Student Objectives

Students will be able to

Materials

Research Resources

Procedure

Part 1: Hydroelectric Dam Selection

Part 2: Data Collection

Part 3: Cost-Benefit Analysis

Part 4: Final Reflection and Argument

Exit Ticket

Instructions: Access the Exit Ticket and have students reflect on and answer the prompt.