SHS1 Engineering · Semester 2 Week 2: Renewable Energy Systems

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: 1.2.2.LI.3 - Explain how electricity is generated from water, wind, solar, biomass, and biogas energy sources.

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Recall the five renewable energy sources listed in the indicator and identify the key component each requires to generate electricity (water flow, wind speed, sunlight, organic matter, and organic waste).
Describe, in the correct order, the step-by-step process by which water is converted into electrical energy in a hydroelectric power plant.
Explain, using simple diagrams, how wind turbines and solar photovoltaic panels convert their respective natural inputs into electrical energy.
Distinguish between biomass and biogas as energy sources, and outline the electricity generation process for each.
Present a group research finding on one renewable electricity generation process to the whole class, using accurate technical vocabulary.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Energy Systems (Strand 2)
Sub-strand: Renewable Energy Systems (2.2)
Content standard: 1.2.2.CS.1 - Demonstrate an understanding of the sources of renewable energy. 1.2.2.LO.1 Discuss the benefits of renewable energy. 1.2.2.LO.2 Explain the electricity production processes for the various renewable energy sources.
Indicator: 1.2.2.LI.3 - Explain how electricity is generated from water, wind, solar, biomass, and biogas energy sources.
Suggested placement: Semester 2, Week 2 (Week 22 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Curriculum reference: NaCCA curriculum document, p. 41

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

Initiating Talk for Learning: Through questions and answers and watching videos from YouTube, learners share their views on processes for generating electricity from water, wind, solar, biomass, and biogas energy sources.
Project-based Learning: Learners work in different task groups to research how power is generated from various sources. Groups share their findings with the whole class. Mixed ability/gender groups are given a company each to research that manufactures electricity generation systems for renewable energy sources. Groups share their findings with the whole class.

Assessment (1.2.2.AS.3). The document marks these depth-of-knowledge levels for this indicator: Level 1 Recall; Level 3 Strategic reasoning.

Teaching and Learning Resources:
- Projector
- Laptop and videos on renewable energy sources.
- Videos on electricity generation from renewable energy sources.
- Whiteboard and marker