LINKS AND REFERENCES

INFORMATION ON WIND ENERGY AND OTHER RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES:

The Danish Wind Turbine Association hosts a Guided Tour of Wind Energy, which possibly has the most comprehensive wind information on the Web. It explains concepts of the wind and of wind energy from idea through project development using straightforward description as well as effective and simple flash animation. 

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is a fantastic Web resource with many pages of valuable information, including Clean Energy Basics, a virtual tour of the National Wind Technology Center, a map of power transmission lines in the United States, and the Renewable Resource Data Center (RReDC), containing information on many different renewable energy options and its own Kidz Links page.

The On-Line Renewable Energy Education Module, prepared by the Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies (CREST), discusses solar and wind power, small hydropower systems, and geothermal and biomass energy production.  For each of these topics, the site covers overview, theory, and application, and presents case studies of each.  In addition, the site addresses some of the global impact and economic issues related to renewable energy.

The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN) homepage offers easy-to-understand information on renewable energy and energy efficiency in buildings, transportation, and industry.  The site also has specialized sections for educational information, kids, news, and state-specific information on energy agreements and initiatives.

EREN’s Kids’ Stuff provides information on renewable energy as well as activities like science projects, crossword puzzles and games, and tips on saving energy. Included in its links is EduGreen, which has a section devoted entirely to wind energy, in addition to “envirocards” that kids can send via e-mail. And the Energy Information Administration’s Kids’ Page is hosted by Energy Ant.

Airhead is an interactive website that allows visitors to calculate their own environmental impact by entering in the number of miles they drive a car any given month, how many airplane trips they take, the cost of their electric and natural gas bills, and other related information.  It is also possible to look up specific products like refrigerators, computers, and air conditioners to assess their environmental impact.  “Eco-Geeks” is a section that has information on energy markets, water and land impact, energy efficiency, energy use, links, and ways to get involved.

Designed for kids, Energy Quest is a cheery and fun space to explore.  It has about twenty “doorways” to go through, and they range from tips to puzzles and games (even an online game show!) and art contests.  The “Renewable Road” takes the visitor to information pages on wind and geothermal energy, solar and hydropower, and energy from biomass, and has a “Super Scientists” page, detailing many energy pioneers.

ACTIVITIES RELATED TO WIND ENERGY AND OTHER FORMS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY:

sYou can take an energy quiz on the Environmental News Network’s website.

Another similar wind energy quiz, prepared by the staff of the National Wind Technology Center, tests knowledge of both the history and capability of wind energy and wind energy systems.

Wind contains a series of learning activities, suggestions for lesson plans, and links on wind and wind energy from The Franklin Institute Science Museum.  Photographs and videos demonstrate the effects of wind and the history of windmills.  In addition, the website is an online forum for student work (poems, music, prose, research, and photographs). 

The Science Education Gateway offers teachers multiple paths to develop science curricula.

Alliance to Save Energy outlines energy-related activities, including elementary and middle school lesson plans on energy sources, pollution, and saving energy.  A “Green Schools” section also instructs schools on using energy more efficiently by explaining ways to change operational and maintenance routines and the behavior of building users.  The program brings students, teachers, custodians, administrators, and community partners together to work toward a common goal: saving energy and money.

BOOKS AND OTHER LITERATURE:

The Wind at Work by Gretchen Woelfle

This book offers children and teachers an introduction to wind turbines and their advantages as renewable energy providers. Activities and experiments help explain the principles of wind energy as well as the work of a windmill inventor and operator.  In addition to these activities, this book contains a resource listing, glossary, and many pictures.

Alternative Energy Sources by Gary Chandler and Kevin Graham

The first in a three-part series designed for grades 5 through 7, Alternative Energy Sources focuses on people of varying ages and lifestyles and the environmental changes they have effected using solar and wind power, energy-saving building techniques, alternative fuel vehicles, and other alternative energies.  It contains full-color photographs and diagrams and contact information for referenced organizations.  It is a good resource for reports relating to alternative energy and the global environment.

Air Alert: Rescuing the Earth’s Atmosphere by Christina G. Miller

Designed for grades 5 through 9, this book is a simply written overview of such atmospheric problems as smog and acid rain, the greenhouse effect, and the depletion of the ozone layer, including clear definitions and discussions of causes and consequences. The last chapter explores the ongoing efforts of scientists to find renewable sources of energy that do not pollute the atmosphere. A glossary and suggestions for further reading are included.

Renewables Are Ready: People Creating Renewable Energy Solutions by Nancy Cole and P.J. Skerrett

This grassroots guide provides case studies of successful projects using alternative energy sources. Cases include streetlights powered by river turbines, homes built for solar heating, and a high school heated by wood chips. The appendix contains alternate energy sources, costs of fossil fuels, and a list of organizations to contact for future research.

Fuels for the Future by Steve Parker

A clear, simplified overview of fuels currently available for use and potential energy resources for the future, this volume includes a glossary, an index, and a bibliography that cites books, organizations, and websites with additional information.

Dr. Art’s Guide to Planet Earth: For Earthlings Aged 12-120 by Dr. Art Sussman, PhD.

This book explains “the bigger picture” of earth and its systems and explains what can happen when the balance of nature is upset.  It helps readers understand how we can support rather than disrupt the earth’s operating system.

The Wind Energy Information Guide from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory is a 131-page document describing how wind energy works, turbine design, applications, issues associated with wind energy use, and resources.  It is available free by e-mail request.  Mail requests to: sally_evans@nrel.gov