Renewable Energy Virtual Field Trip
Summary
This is a virtual field trip on the subject of renewable energy. The Google Earth slideshow will take you around the world to different key renewable energy sites across the world. Each site will have a quick description of the site and the type of renewable energy in addition to pictures of the site. Most of the sites also have a link to a video that describes that specific site or type of renewable energy. The goal of this virtual field trip is for students to become familiar with the many types of renewable energy and begin to understand the benefits and drawbacks of each. Additionally, students are encouraged to think about where different types of renewable energy would be appropriate, and how different types of renewable energy can be used together to aid with decarbonization.
Here is the link to the virtual field trip: https://earth.google.com/earth/d/1zd6Fd4u5xaXlz2YB-AIIacYuYSZ0wUuG?usp=sharing
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Context
Audience
A high school science course (physics, chemistry or specialized science) or a lower level college course (introductory engineering, environmental science, or geology course) is the most appropriate setting for this virtual field trip. Even middle school science could be appropriate, although some details may be beyond the average understanding of a middle school student. Still, the pictures and videos are engaging and help give the students background knowledge regarding all types of renewable energy.
Skills and concepts that students must have mastered
Students must have a middle school-level understanding of weather and earth processes.
How the activity is situated in the course
This is a stand alone exercise. It was developed to be used in class but can also be a homework assignment in which the students go through the field trip on their own and answer the questions.
Goals
Content/concepts goals for this activity
The concept goals is to give students a basic understanding of the various types of renewable energy, how each one works, where each one might be appropriate, and the benefits and drawbacks of each type.
Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity
Very little higher order thinking skills are required for this activity as it is mostly designed for the students to interactively learn about renewable energy with some thought-provoking questions along the way.
Other skills goals for this activity
Description and Teaching Materials
The only material needed is the link to the virtual field trip, found here:
https://earth.google.com/earth/d/1zd6Fd4u5xaXlz2YB-AIIacYuYSZ0wUuG?usp=sharing
The link will take you to the online version of Google Earth. "Slideshow" can be clicked and the presentation will start. From there, you can move through the table of contents to the different renewable energy sites, and the location of Google Earth will move to those sites as well. Each site has a description and pictures, and many have a useful Youtube video link as well.
Assessment
Students can write down answers to the supporting questions in the virtual field trip. Again, the main goal of this virtual field trip is to provide students with general background knowledge and get them thinking, not for assessment.