During the month of March 2008, the students at South Pekin Grade School studied different sources of energy. They studied coal, solar, wind and water for one week each. Each class or grade level chose one or more activities related to the energy source being studied. In addition to individual classroom activities, there were assemblies and tours arranged for larger groups of students. The first of these wa a tour of the nearby electrical energy plant owned by Midwest Generation. Students in the 6th, 7th & 8th grades visited the power plant. The tour included a visit to the control room and a demonstration of how railroad cars of coal are dumped. The second event was a visit from Don Pflederer. He talked with the students from grades 3-7 about different types of rocks and minerals. He also brought the Rock Box, a trailer filled with a collection of rocks and minerals. Also scheduled was an assembly featuring Bob Fox, who would talk about life in the coal mines..
This unit was the idea of a group of teachers who attended a 4-day workshop hosted by the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity's Office of of Coal Development..
What is energy?- http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/
This site from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity has pages with energy facts, fun & games, energy history, classroom activities, related links and a glossary.EERE Kid's Page- http://www.eere.energy.gov/kids/
This is the Department of Energy web page for kids. There are games, facts, and tips for kids.EERE Education Page- http://www1.eere.energy.gov/education/
This page has links to lesson plans about energy as well as resources for parents, teachers, stuents, adminstrators, & homeowners.
Coal - The first source of energy being studied is coal. Check out the links to sites with information about coal.
Solar - The second source of energy the students studied is the sun.
Wind - The third source of energy being studied is the wind.
Water - The fourth source of energy being studied is water.
