Energy
The EnergyNet project has focused on electricity consumption while the Biomass and AFDC sites pose projects for alternative fuels, such as ethanol...
Links
at Colorado
http://www.colorado.edu/journalism/cej/The Department of Energy has a wide range of resources for K-12 classrooms at it Energy Kids Page.
The National Science Teachers Association offers three publications from the National Energy Foundation, each about 150pp for grades K-3, 4-6 and 9-12(no 7-8 listed).
The U.S. Department of Energy has a wide range of resources, including Help with Science Fair Projects and Energy Activities for Students & Teachers.
The Center for Environmental Journalism in Colorado is a useful 'zine model from which students can learn publishing skills in this particular domain.
The University of Oregon site consists of courseware primarily but these materials include very interesting projects for schools to replicate.
Wind: Our Fierce Friend at the Franklin Institute is often overlooked but an easy topic for young students to understand. The Franklin Institute's exhibits are well-designed and showcase student contributions.
At the Boston Museum of Science (mos) activities for teaching electricity (grades 3-6) are presented in a theater-like environment.
The Edison Electric Institute offers 80 some experiments in basic concepts of electricity for grades 4-8.
Learning about fuel cell technology always rears up when an energy crisis appears. Look at how stuff works for understanding alternative fuels.
The Alternative Fuels Data Center can launch a comparison of fuel substances and usage.
The viability of biofuels has been debated, especially among scientists. Since it requires multi-disciplinary understandings, students would be well-served to learn about it.
Annotation
Before accessing sites it would be wise to review your local curriculum guides and then match resources to your framework. Articulation with other grades is important. As exciting as these resources are, students can easily become confused if this topic is jumbled across different grade levels.
