9th, 10th Grades  Project 4 weeks

Powering Tomorrow: Clean Energy Quest

Tom K
Updated
7. Renewable Energy
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
13. Climate Action
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Collaboration
1-pager

Purpose

You will investigate why climate change is happening and how renewable energy and climate-friendly mobility can reduce its effects in local and global communities. You will work with a small group to answer this question: How can renewable energy be implemented while considering the social, political, and global connections around the climate crisis? Through discussion, comparison of energy options, and reflection on more economically responsible consumption choices, you will develop a clear position on one self-chosen topic. You will share your learning in a 5–10 minute class presentation using a poster or PowerPoint.

Learning goals

You will explain the main causes of climate change and compare how solar, wind, hydropower, and climate-friendly mobility can reduce emissions in different communities. You will investigate how renewable energy choices are shaped by social, political, and global factors, then use critical thinking to propose realistic solutions connected to the essential question. You will collaborate to research a self-chosen topic, make shared decisions about your group presentation, and reflect on how everyday consumption can become more economically and environmentally responsible. You will communicate your learning clearly in a 5–10 minute poster or slideshow presentation that shows evidence, analysis, and your group’s conclusions.

Standards
  • [UN Sustainable Development Goals] 7. Renewable Energy - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
  • [UN Sustainable Development Goals] 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
  • [UN Sustainable Development Goals] 13. Climate Action - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Competencies
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.
  • Collaboration - Students co-design projects with peers, exercise shared-decision making, strengthen relational agency, resolve conflict, and assume leadership roles.

Products

You will create a group research board or shared digital folder to collect evidence on climate change causes, renewable energy options, and climate-friendly mobility choices. As you investigate, you will produce a comparison chart or simple infographic showing the benefits, limits, and social or political impacts of solar, wind, water, or sustainable transport in your community. By the end, your group will create a poster or PowerPoint that answers the essential question and explains one self-chosen solution. You will present your learning in a 5–10 minute class presentation and use a short reflection to connect your ideas to responsible consumption and realistic climate action.

Launch

Start with a rapid “energy in our lives” photo sort using images of solar panels, wind turbines, traffic jams, public transit, floods, smokestacks, and daily electricity use, then discuss what each image reveals about climate change and energy choices. Use the essential question to guide a short group challenge where you rank which energy and mobility solutions would help your school or community most, and defend your choices with social, political, and global reasons. End by having each group choose one focus topic for the project and write a quick reflection on how climate-friendly consumption and energy decisions affect their own lives and community.

Exhibition

End with a mini sustainability showcase where your group gives a 5–10 minute presentation using a poster or PowerPoint on a self-chosen topic such as solar power, wind energy, water energy, or climate-friendly mobility. Invite classmates, teachers, and if possible school staff to ask questions about how renewable energy can be implemented while considering social, political, and global connections to the climate crisis. Add a short gallery walk after the presentations so you can view each group’s work, leave feedback, and compare different solutions for more climate-friendly energy use and consumption. Close the exhibition with a brief reflection where you share one realistic action your school or community could take.