Picture (160x96, 7.1Kb)Hands-on Resources

Home Energy
School Energy
Renewable Energy
Hands-on Resources
 

KEEP's Hands-on Resources are available to loan to Wisconsin educators free of charge

for a period of up to 4 weeks.

If you would like to check out any of KEEP's Hands-on Resources, please contact Jamie at

jmollica@uwsp.edu or 715.346.4818.

 

Hands-on Resources can be picked up/dropped off at the KEEP office in Stevens Point between

7:30 AM and 5:30 PM Monday - Friday,

excluding legal holidays.

 

 

Download the Energy Education Resources list (2 page Adobe PDF) which includes information on where to purchase resources and the approximate cost.

Energy Trunk

 

Energy Trunk

Energy Packed

Trunk Attack

 

The KEEP Energy Education Trunks are full of educational resources available for Wisconsin KEEP teachers to rent. The Trunks were developed with the middle school student in mind, specifically grades 5-7. They contain materials for FIVE popular KEEP activities (Station Break, Circuit Circus, The Cost of Using Energy, At Watt Rate, and Diminishing Returns) as well as energy education VIDEOS and HANDS-ON RESOURCES. Click here to learn more about the contents of the trunk and where you can get one. THIS ITEM CANNOT BE SHIPPED.

Hand-crank Generator

Hand-crank GeneratorThe hand-crank generator is a great tool to learn the difference between an incandescent light bulb and a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL). Use your cranking power to discover how much energy it takes to light up two different light bulbs. As you crank, a generator transforms your muscle power into electrical energy. SHIPPABLE ITEM.

Hand-crank GeneratorKEEP purchased the hand-crank generator from:

Creative Design Associates

Austin H. Munson IDSA

President

Product Development

Industrial Design

5227 Cty Hwy M

Waunakee, WI 53597-9139

Phone: 608.831.4269

Fax 608.831.8832

 

Pedal Power

The Pedal Power is a tool that you can use in your classroom to teach aboutPedal Power energy production, use, and conservation. Students can actually ride a stationary bike to power a generator, which in turn powers an incandescent light bulb and a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL), a hair dryer, radio, and a fan. This activity will teach students how much energy it takes to power these common electrical conveniences we use everyday and how important it is to turn them off when not in use (or not use them at all). THIS ITEM CANNOT BE SHIPPED.

To learn more about the Pedal Power, click here.

In addition to the Pedal Power unit at the KEEP office in Stevens Point, there are three Pedal Power Hosts for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 school years. These hosts may be contacted to sub-lease Pedal Power in their county and surrounding counties within Wisconsin:

To contact one of the Pedal Power Hosts click here.

Radiometer

RadiometerThe original radiometer was invented by Sir William Crookes in the mid-nineteenth century. The device was developed to measure the intensity of radiant energy or heat. There are a number of companies that sell radiometers that teachers and students can use to demonstrate how light energy can be used to do work or change things.

What makes the radiometer work? The atmosphere inside a radiometer is a nearly perfect vacuum. More than 99 percent of the air has been removed, leaving only thousands of air molecules inside the radiometer in comparison with the trillions in the atmosphere outside it. This means that each molecule of air inside the radiometer is able to move about more freely. The opposing sides of each vane or wing of the radiometer are alternately dark and light in color. When light energy from infrared radiation strikes these wings, it transfers heat to each one, but not to the same degree. The lighter side of the wing reflects light, and the dark carbonized side absorbs light. When the freely moving air molecules inside the radiometer strike the light colored side of the wing, they take on very little energy and do not bounce off very fast. However, when the molecules strike the dark side, they take on a great deal of energy and kick away at terrific speed. This causes the vane to spin in the direction it has been kicked (away from the dark carbonized side of the wing). In other words, the temperature difference between the two sides causes the vane to move due to convection currents and momentum transfer. SHIPPABLE ITEM.

Watt Meters

Watt Meters (sometimes called Line Loggers) are a tool that can be used to Watt Metermeasure the electric usage of appliances. By plugging an appliance into the meter and then into a socket, you can measure the actual electric use of a particular appliance. Many public libraries across the State of Wisconsin have these resources available for check out. SHIPPABLE ITEM.

Watt Meter Fact Sheet

Energy Bingo

Energy BingoEnergy Bingo can be played by an entire 4th-6th grade class of 30 (or in any smaller group down to three students), for any length of time, and with any number of winners. Enables students to learn and/or review terms and definitions quickly and easily without tedious memorizing. Includes 30 playing cards (5" x 6"), 50 problem cards, master answer key, directions, and plastic markers. SHIPPABLE ITEM.

Videos (available through the WCEE Resources Library)

These videos have been reviewed by KEEP Staff and are recommended for use in the classroom:

Kilowatt Ours (35 minutes) - This documentary explains energy efficiency and renewable energy through a tour of the mountainous regions of the southeastern United States including Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina. After explaining the process of mountain top removal for coal, Jeff Barrie teaches about how much energy an average home uses per year and what we can do to decrease our fossil fuel consumption. The negative effects of fossil fuel use such as pollution and health problems are considered as well. This is a must-see for high school students and adults! Learn more about this video at www.kilowattours.org/.

Renewable Energy: Clean Power for Wisconsin (25 minutes) - This video explores renewable energy use in Wisconsin including solar hot water, hydropower, geothermal, clean burning woodstoves, wood biomass, cool daylighting, solar electric, building with renewables, and living off-grid.

Future World - This video follows two children as they travel to the year 2050 only to find that there is no energy left because we used it all up in this generation. This is a good video for younger students.

These videos are available to rent through the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education (WCEE) Resources Library (for WI residents only).

Posters

To request a free Oil Age Poster, go to www.oilposter.org/ and click on School Request in the right-hand column.


Send comments and suggestions to KEEP, energy@uwsp.edu or call 715-346-4770.

Copyright 2001 KEEP

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