Energy Efficiency - Energy Tips for Kids

If each of us did just one thing to make our Earth a cleaner place with a healthy environment, it would make a BIG difference. These sites will show you how you can be more energy efficient at home and at school. Thanks for your help!!!

1. Environmental Defense Fund
   Here are lots of tips on energy efficiency and energy alternatives, plus games and more!
2. Funergy!
   Learn about saving energy through fun online activities.

Alternative fuels

We use the very high heat of the inside of the Earth to make electricity. Underground water reservoirs are heated by the very hot rocks of the crust (which are heated by magma below them, which is heated by the extremely hot core). We use this hot water to make steam, which powers a generator that makes electricity. These sites will tell you more.

1. Earthforce - Franklin Institute
   Information about volcanoes, geothermal energy, earthquakes, and other "earthforces."
2. Edugreen
   Lots of information about international geothermal projects.
3. Geothermal Education Office
   A site full of facts and information, plus a slide show explaining geothermal energy.

Renewable energy means it comes from a source that's constantly renewed - the wind keeps blowing, the sun keeps shining, and the Earth keeps heating underground rocks. This energy will be around for as long as the Earth is, so we don't have to worry about running out of it.

1. The Atoms Family - Miami Museum of Science
   in the "Mummy's Tomb" and "Dracula's Library," you can learn about energy conservation, physics principles, and electricity.
2. Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology
   An interactive site explaining the basics of renewable energy.
3. Cleaner and Greener Program for Schools
   Kids can calculate how much emissions are caused by using energy at home and school.
4. Department of Energy KidzZone
   Quizzes, games, contests, and other activities about energy.
5. Earth Dog - MSNBC
   information about solar, wind, and other technologies, plus games, contests, and an Earth Dog Club.
6. Edugreen
   Information about renewables, video clips, model of a sustainable habitat, maps, and activities.
7. Energy Action for Students - National Energy Foundation
   Ideas and activities about conserving energy.
8. Energy Information Association
   
Energy Ant has lots of fun facts and activities.
9. Energy Quest - California Energy Commission
   Lots of information about renewable energy technologies, saving energy, puzzles, and contests.
10. Energy Smart Schools - Department of Energy
    Tips about conserving energy at schools, contests, quizzes, and success stories.
11. Energy Trail - Planet Energy - UK Department of Trade and Industry
    Travel the "Energy Trail" to learn about different renewable energy technologies.
12. Environmental Protection Agency Explorers Club - information about recycling, pollution, and EPA efforts; games and activities.
13. Learning about Saving Energy
    DOE's basic fact sheet about the uses of energy and many ways it can be conserved.
14. Learning about Renewable Energy
    DOE's basic fact sheet about renewables; includes a glossary and links to other organizations.
15. Glossary of Renewable Energy Terms - Solar Now
    Definitions of renewable energy terms.
16. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
    Stories, games, jokes, and activities about the environment.
17. National Renewable Energy Laboratory
    Renewable Energy Activities for Teachers and Students - activities and links for students of all grades.
18. Watts New? - Lifetime Learning
    A mad scientist describes uses for renewable energy, and shows how to conserve it.
19. What Do You Need to Know About Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy?
    The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's page describing renewable technologies and providing links to further information.

We can use the light of the sun to create electricity! The sun shines on "solar cells" - you've probably seen them on the roofs of houses. When the sun hits the solar cells, it causes a chemical reaction, which generates electricity! These sites will tell you more.

1. DOE's Solar Energy Science Projects
   Four science fair projects that demonstrate solar energy.
2. Photovoltaics Quiz
   Test your knowledge about photovoltaics!
3. Roofus's Solar & Efficient Neighborhood
   DOE's Roofus shows you how to be energy smart in your own house.
4. Solar Heating and You
   DOE's overview of solar collectors and solar heating systems.
5. Solar Now
   Beverly High School students study solar and wind technology from the Sunroom in a Massachusetts high school.
6. Texas Solar Energy Society - Solar Energy Coloring Book ( PDF 37 KB )
   Twelve fun pages of solar energy pictures.

We can use the power of blowing wind to create electricity! The wind turns a large "fan," which then powers a generator that makes electricity. These sites will tell you more.

1. Edugreen
   Lots of information about international wind projects.
2. National Wind Technology Center Energy Quiz
   Test your knowledge of wind technology!
3. UK Department of Trade and Industry.
   Activities and information for older kids.
4. UK Department of Trade and Industry.
   Activities and information for younger kids.
5. Wind in a Minute - National Renewable Energy Laboratory
   A complete summary of wind facts and figures.