Watt's Your Appliance Energy Usage?
Lesson Plans
Grades4-8, 10-12Earth and Space Sciences
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Provided by Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education
What it is
- In this lesson plan, students explore the difference between electrical power and energy as they relate to common household appliances.
- Students learn the average wattages of appliances, the definition of kilowatt hour, and how to reduce the energy consumption in their homes and schools.
- This activity is part of KEEP's Building Energy Detectives lessons where students explore the phenomenon, "What energy actions can I take at school, at home, and in my community to create a more sustainable future."
Teaching tips
Preparation:
- It will be helpful, but not required, for teachers to have access to a color printer, a laminator, and a watt meter.
- Since many discussion questions are multiple-choice, teachers must print them separately or provide another visual aid with possible answers displayed.
Prerequisites:
- It may benefit students to understand where our energy comes from and how it impacts the environment.
Interdisciplinary Connections:
- English Language Arts:
- Have students answer the extension question regarding ways to conserve energy as an academic paragraph or a personal narrative.
- Math:
- Have students answer the extension question regarding calculating energy usage for one appliance in one week, month, and year. Students participate in a small-group activity with different groups calculating for various appliances.
Extensions:
- After completing the lesson, students create infographics to inform people how to reduce their energy consumption.
From the scientist review
In this activity, students will learn about power and electricity, how to measure it, and how to reduce their energy consumption. Students will also explore which appliances or products use the most electricity and how the time of use is also impactful. These topics will help them better understand how to reduce energy use. The information presented is accurate, and this resource is recommended for teaching.
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