Energy Efficiency World
The Energy Efficiency World website is designed to educate 8- to 12-year-old students about energy, motivate them to make energy-saving behavioral changes, and encourage their families to do the same.
This BWP mini-site is geared for a range of interests and reading levels. Advanced vocabulary words are highlighted; clicking on these words can access definitions. Most of the site content is appropriate for students in grades 3-7 and supports several National Science Education Standards for these grades.
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Here’s what each section of the website covers.
Learn About Energy
The many forms of energy. Energy transfer. How renewable and nonrenewable energy sources are used to make electricity. How electricity is generated. Activities: Identifying sources of energy used in the home; simulating the motion of a turbine. Experiment: Building an electrical circuit.
Use Energy Efficiently
What it means to use energy efficiently. How energy efficiency differs from conservation. How kids can save energy at home and at school. Energy-efficient appliances. Activities: Home energy inspection. Identifying the largest energy users in the home. Experiment: Home energy-saving program and utility bill analysis.
Use Water Wisely
The hydrologic cycle. Why it’s important to conserve water. How much water we use for various activities in the home. Tips for saving water. Activities: How students can help find and fix leaks.
Help the Environment
Making the connection between saving energy and conserving natural resources. How saving energy reduces pollution. Recycling. Experiment: Make a greenhouse to learn about the greenhouse effect. Activity: Explore the energy used to make grocery bags.
Want to Know More?
For more advanced students interested in energy and efficiency. Includes a time line of significant energy events, detailed information on renewable and nonrenewable energy resources, and alternative fuel vehicles.
Stop the Guzzler Game
An interactive game in which students race the clock to identify home energy and water wasters.
Home Energy Inspection
A checklist to help students and their families identify and correct energy and water waste.
Energy Saver Certificate
A checklist of the various sections of this website, which students can use to map their progress, plus an energy efficiency pledge. We recommend that students print the certificate before starting the site and have a teacher and parent or other adult sign it after they have visited all the sections.
Glossary
Definitions of words found on the site. Students can access these definitions by clicking on the words that appear highlighted on the site.
Links to Related Sites
Hot links to related sites about the science of energy, energy efficiency, renewable energy resources, energy inventors, careers in the energy field, and water.