Who is this designed for?
I made this collection for teachers who are hoping to teach their students about renewable energy. I have been on the search for resources like this myself (especially books to use in my library lessons) and having a lot of trouble, so I’m hoping that by creating this resource, I can help save time for other teachers. There are resources for your own personal development as well as activities to use with students and books and websites to use with students as well. I’m working on resources for all ages, but there is more available for some age groups than others. I have found that search term has a huge influence on results. When trying to find resources, remember to search anything from alternative energy to renewable energy to green energy to clean energy.
Why teach renewable energy?
In a world faced with global climate change, STEM/ STEAM training and education in renewable resources becomes increasingly important. And yet, teachers are often left without resources about renewable energies because they are still often considered a “fad” or “controversial.” And so, I’m hoping by creating this resource collection, we can help better educate our students, administrators, and communities about the importance of renewable energies and how they work.
Common Questions
Why do we need renewable energy?
What happens to the jobs in non-renewable energy?
What happens to the jobs in non-renewable energy?
Books
Non-fiction picture books
Conley, K. (2016). Biofuels. Minneapolis, MN: ABDO Publishing.
Introductory book on biofuels.
Conley, K. (2017). Solar energy. Minneapolis, MN: Core Library, an imprint of Abdo Publishing.
Solar energy introduction for children.
Gleisner, J. L. (2019). Let’s save energy! Minneapolis: Jump!, Inc.
Pre-k book on how and why we should save energy. Contains sparse text and engaging
Photos.
Jennings, T. C. (2017). Hydroelectric energy. Minneapolis, MN: Core Library, an imprint of Abdo Publishing.
Introduction to hydroelectric energy.
Mangor, J. (2017). Geothermal energy. Minneapolis, MN: Core Library, an imprint of Abdo Publishing.
Introductory book on geothermal energy.
Marquardt, M. (2016). Hydrogen Fuel Cells. Minneapolis, MN: ABDO Publishing.
Introductory book on hydrogen fuel cells.
Murray, L. K. (2017). Ocean energy. Minneapolis, MN: Core Library, an imprint of Abdo Publishing.
Guide to an energy type that many may not be familiar with- ocean energy.
Raum, E., & Martí Romina. (2018). Beavers build lodges. Mankato, MN: Amicus.
A great book to pair with information and lessons on hydroelectric water to help kids see how dams work in the natural world.
Sherman, J. (2004). Wind power. Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.
A good primer on how wind power works, not just in turbines, but for many facets of life.
Woll, K. (2017). Wind energy. Minneapolis, MN: Core Library, an imprint of Abdo Publishing.
Part of a series of books looking at alternative energy.
Fiction Picture Books
Negley, K. The Boy and the Wild Blue Girl. New York, NY: Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers.
A fantastical telling of Poul la Cour who was a scientist and inventor creating some of the first electricity-generating wind turbines.
High School Books
Langwith, J. (2009). Renewable energy. Detroit: Greenhaven Press.
An Opposing Viewpoints collection of articles centering around renewable energy issues.
Raum, E. (2008). Wind energy. Chicago, IL: Heinemann Library.
An introductory overview answering common questions regarding wind energy.
Conley, K. (2016). Biofuels. Minneapolis, MN: ABDO Publishing.
Introductory book on biofuels.
Conley, K. (2017). Solar energy. Minneapolis, MN: Core Library, an imprint of Abdo Publishing.
Solar energy introduction for children.
Gleisner, J. L. (2019). Let’s save energy! Minneapolis: Jump!, Inc.
Pre-k book on how and why we should save energy. Contains sparse text and engaging
Photos.
Jennings, T. C. (2017). Hydroelectric energy. Minneapolis, MN: Core Library, an imprint of Abdo Publishing.
Introduction to hydroelectric energy.
Mangor, J. (2017). Geothermal energy. Minneapolis, MN: Core Library, an imprint of Abdo Publishing.
Introductory book on geothermal energy.
Marquardt, M. (2016). Hydrogen Fuel Cells. Minneapolis, MN: ABDO Publishing.
Introductory book on hydrogen fuel cells.
Murray, L. K. (2017). Ocean energy. Minneapolis, MN: Core Library, an imprint of Abdo Publishing.
Guide to an energy type that many may not be familiar with- ocean energy.
Raum, E., & Martí Romina. (2018). Beavers build lodges. Mankato, MN: Amicus.
A great book to pair with information and lessons on hydroelectric water to help kids see how dams work in the natural world.
Sherman, J. (2004). Wind power. Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.
A good primer on how wind power works, not just in turbines, but for many facets of life.
Woll, K. (2017). Wind energy. Minneapolis, MN: Core Library, an imprint of Abdo Publishing.
Part of a series of books looking at alternative energy.
Fiction Picture Books
Negley, K. The Boy and the Wild Blue Girl. New York, NY: Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers.
A fantastical telling of Poul la Cour who was a scientist and inventor creating some of the first electricity-generating wind turbines.
High School Books
Langwith, J. (2009). Renewable energy. Detroit: Greenhaven Press.
An Opposing Viewpoints collection of articles centering around renewable energy issues.
Raum, E. (2008). Wind energy. Chicago, IL: Heinemann Library.
An introductory overview answering common questions regarding wind energy.
Lessons
Education Resources. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.energy.gov/eere/education/education-resources.
Energy.gov website that contains lesson plans, videos, competitions, coloring books, resources in Spanish, and an e-mail newsletter.
Renewable Energy - Lesson. (2019, July 3). Retrieved from https://www.teachengineering.org/lessons/view/cub_environ_lesson09.
Grade school introductory lessons to the main types of renewable energy.
Energy.gov website that contains lesson plans, videos, competitions, coloring books, resources in Spanish, and an e-mail newsletter.
Renewable Energy - Lesson. (2019, July 3). Retrieved from https://www.teachengineering.org/lessons/view/cub_environ_lesson09.
Grade school introductory lessons to the main types of renewable energy.
Professional Development
Workshops and Experiences
Programs for Teachers. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nrel.gov/about/teachers.html.
Visiting teacher program and summer institute from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Teachers. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.energy.gov/teachers.
Online and on-site learning for teachers PLUS grant and fellowship information.
Summer workshop with CREATE . Free workshop that includes a stipend and may include travel expenses based on your distance from the workshop site. They also offer a free e-mail newsletter with helpful resources.
Programs for Teachers. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nrel.gov/about/teachers.html.
Visiting teacher program and summer institute from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Teachers. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.energy.gov/teachers.
Online and on-site learning for teachers PLUS grant and fellowship information.
Summer workshop with CREATE . Free workshop that includes a stipend and may include travel expenses based on your distance from the workshop site. They also offer a free e-mail newsletter with helpful resources.
Related Resources You Might Enjoy
Books
Non-fiction Picture Books
Gleisner, J. L. (2019). Let’s eat green! Minneapolis, MN: Jump!, Inc.
Pre-k book on how to eat and garden in a green way.
Gleisner, J. L. (2019). Let’s save water! Minneapolis, MN: Bull Frog Books.
Pre-k book on how and why we should save water.
Stahl, B. (2019). Save the ocean. Place of publication not identified: Publisher not identified.
Fantasy picture book on why and how we can clean up the oceans.
Non-fiction Picture Books
Gleisner, J. L. (2019). Let’s eat green! Minneapolis, MN: Jump!, Inc.
Pre-k book on how to eat and garden in a green way.
Gleisner, J. L. (2019). Let’s save water! Minneapolis, MN: Bull Frog Books.
Pre-k book on how and why we should save water.
Stahl, B. (2019). Save the ocean. Place of publication not identified: Publisher not identified.
Fantasy picture book on why and how we can clean up the oceans.