Middle School Educator Resources
As middle school teachers, you play a key role in shaping and energizing the future of your students by teaching and helping them explore their interests – which may very well lead to their future jobs. Shell is pleased to provide you with energy curriculum for your classroom.
All lesson plans include a teacher’s guide and a corresponding lesson printable in a downloadable PDF format. Each teacher’s guide has detailed instructions, materials required, Next Generation Science Standards and additional resource links for the topic. The NGSS were used to set the expectations for what students should know and be able to do at the conclusion of each activity. For more information regarding the NGSS, please visit https://www.nextgenscience.org
Energy Basics
What is Energy?
In this lesson, students will be introduced to energy and the difference between kinetic and potential energy.
What is Energy Teacher’s Guide (PDF, 111 kB)
Renewable Sources of Energy
Students will be introduced to various renewable sources of energy: Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Biomass and Hydropower.
Renewable Sources of Energy Teacher’s Guide (PDF, 103 kB)
Energy in Motion Photos (PDF, 2 MB)
Energy Around the World
Energy is used differently around the world. Explore countries around the world and educate your students about energy resources that vary depend upon climate, natural resources, industrialization, economic status and culture.
Energy Videos from Around the World
Watch: How can a steel pipe put a smile on an Indian child’s face?
Watch: How can a new stove help Chinese families see more of each other?
Watch: How can a sunny day help Brazilians learn to samba?
Watch: How can a car’s only emission be water?
Watch: How can a bag of rocks spark a Kenyan child’s imagination?
Energy Around the World Lessons
- Energy Around the World Teacher’s Guide (PDF, 96 kB)
- Lesson Printable: Energy Around the World Activity Sheet (PDF, 99 kB)
- Lesson Printable: Energy Around World Answer Key (PDF, 98 kB)
Energy Sources Around the World Lessons
- Energy Sources Around the World Teacher’s Guide pdf (PDF, 113 kB)
- Lesson Printable: Energy Sources Around the World Activity Sheet (PDF, 98 kB)
- Lesson Printable: Country Information Answer Key (PDF, 307 kB)
Comparing Energy Resources Around the World Lesson
Energy Efficiency
Energy Through the Ages
Teach students how energy was used in the past and see how much energy today’s popular appliances use. Students will determine the energy required to run various appliances.
Energy Through the Ages Middle School Teacher's Guide (PDF, 47 kB)
Lesson Printable: Energy Through the Ages (PDF, 59 kB)
Energy Tomorrow
Dear Energy Expert
Introduce two energy sources: solar power and hydrogen fuel. Students will read about solar power and hydrogen fuel as energy resources.
Dear Energy Expert Middle School Teacher's Guide (PDF, 30 kB)
Lesson Printable: Dear Energy Expert (PDF, 53 kB)
Energy Supply vs. Demand
Introduce students to energy supply and demand. Students will brainstorm solutions to meeting growing energy demand while considering the environmental and economic implications and the benefits and trade-offs of one possible solution.
Energy Supply vs. Demand Middle School Teacher's Guide (PDF, 216 kB)
Lesson Printable: Energy Supply vs. Demand (PDF, 402 kB)
What’s Up With The Wind?
Introduce students to renewable energy sources. Students will compare four different types of energy and go in-depth on wind power.
What’s Up With the Wind Middle School Teacher's Guide (PDF, 31 kB)
Lesson Printable: What’s Up With the Wind (PDF, 36 kB)
Witnessing Wind: Construct a Turbine
Students will be introduced to wind power as an alternative energy source and understand how a turbine’s design and wind speed affect how electricity is produced. Students will build and test their own wind turbines.
Witnessing Wind: Construct a Turbine Middle School Teacher's Guide (PDF, 55 kB)
Lesson Printable: Witnessing Wind: Construct a Turbine (PDF, 57 kB)
