The first part of this activity allows students to explore the role the sun plays in proving much of the earth's energy, connecting the energy they use with their daily lives. The second part asks students to locate sites of electric generation in Connecticut. Through a data activity with an Energy Information Administration (EIA) data sheet student will better understand Connecticut's energy sources, generation locations, and issues of plant age and size affect electric generation in the state.

Using this lesson in your classroom

Your Source of Energy can be used in the classroom as an introduction to the concept of energy, photosynthesis and the carbon cycle. Students will explore where energy comes from, the forms they use and their sources. As an advanced lesson, this can be used as a review of these concepts, or as a stepping stone to other CTEnergyEducation lessons such as Siting a Power Plant, or Writing Across the Disciplines.

Materials include readings Electric Generation in Connecticut, and Connecticut Electricity Overview, as well as an EIA database of Connecticut's Electric Generators.

Grade Level:
7-12
Standards:
9.3 D8, D9 9.5 D14 9.7 D19, D20: 9.9 D25, D26 D INQ 1,2,7,9,10
Student Materials
Connecticut's Electric Generators Data Set	[169.5 KB]
Teacher Materials
Electric Generation in Connecticut	[1,699.5 KB]
Connecticut Electricity Overview	[125.0 KB]