Choose one of the Bell Ringers provided to display for students to answer.
Science of Energy Efficiency
Summary
This lesson plan guides teachers through a complete energy efficiency unit built around a short video, paired vocabulary and quiz activities, LED math computation, real IEA data analysis, and a hands-on lab where students calculate the efficiency of an electric heating device. Resources are sequenced from bell ringer to exit ticket and include a full teacher guide with answer keys. Works across high school earth science, physics, and APES.
Activities
Video
Play this short video on energy efficiency to spark curiosity and encourage thoughtful discussion.
Vocabulary + Quiz
Have students review the vocabulary terms, watch the video, and answer the questions in the quiz.
Computation
Compare incandescent and LED light bulbs, calculate daily and monthly energy use, and determine cost savings using electricity rates.
Data Set
Analyze long-term trends in residential energy intensity in the United States.
Lab - Teacher Guide
Download this teacher guide to walk students through measuring device efficiency.
Lab - Student Guide
Use this handout with students to investigate how efficiently an electric heating device converts electrical energy into useful thermal energy.
Teacher Guide
Download this teacher guide that serves as a walkthrough with answers for the Science of Energy Efficiency lesson.
Answer Key
This short document provides answers to key activities in the Science of Energy Efficiency lesson.
Downloadables