How to meet future global energy needs

'What is/are the least bad option(s) for plugging the future global energy gap? A discussion on the least-damaging ways to meet world energy needs in the future'

Given that renewable fuel sources will be unable to fulfil all global energy needs for the foreseeable future, this activity encourages pupils to consider which of the alternative sources might plug this energy gap.

Many activities about power sources and the use of energy can be found on our website.

The uses of green hydrogen

Today's new Earthlearningidea is the next in our 'net zero' emissions series - 'Green hydrogen used to even out renewable energy supplies? Could ‘green hydrogen’ be the solution to the efficient use of renewable energy?'

This activity involves a discussion of the steps necessary if green hydrogen is to be used to even out future wind-turbine-generated energy supplies.

All Earthlearningideas about reaching 'net zero' emissions targets can be found here.
 

Geothermal power sources - renewable or not?

'Rock power: geothermal power simulations; modelling geothermal power sources – renewable or not?'

 

This activity uses a density can filled with gravel to model different forms of geothermal power sources. ‘Hydrothermal power’ can be extracted renewably, if heat is removed at a slower rate than it is accumulating from the heat source below. However, most hydrothermal power stations extract heat more quickly than it is accumulated, so they only have a finite life and will eventually close. In these cases, heat is being extracted at non-renewable rates.

Many activities relating to renewable power sources can be found in our 'net zero' Earthlearningidea series.

An investigation into ground source heat pumps - helping to reach the 'net zero' emissions target

How can we reach our net zero emissions target? The next in our series of 'net zeros' is 'Heat from the Earth; investigating ground source heat pumps'.

Governments ‘net-zero’ targets will affect many areas across the world. This Earthlearningidea explores the advantages and disadvantages of ground source heat pump installations. Other mitigation and adaptation measures are discussed in other Earthlearningideas. Search for 'net zero' on our website.

Make your own sedimentary structures

Following on from our sedimentary structures puzzle game of last week. 'Which sedimentary structures can you make? Making sedimentary structures in the classroom using simple apparatus and materials'.

This can be used as a revision activity, involving investigating how sedimentary structures are formed in loose sediment. To fit in with lesson timing, the teacher can allocate one structure per small group of students, share out the apparatus and then compare notes afterwards.

Many more activities related to sedimentary rocks and structures can be found on our website.

Game to help to really understanding sedimentary structures

The new ELI today is a game for students to help them to really understand sedimentary structures. 'Picturing puzzle structures; visualise and draw sedimentary structures from a verbal description.'

 

This Earthlearningidea will enhance pupils’ skills of description and interpretation using photographs of sedimentary structures. It can also be used as a revision exercise and is good fun.

Many activities related to sedimentary structures can be found on our website.

Fossil hunter - dig up a dinosaur

A good activity for the summer in a sand pit or on the beach is 'Dig up the dinosaur; become a fossil hunter and dig up a dinosaur'. All you need is a wooden or plastic dinosaur skeleton.

Click here to watch a short video of the activity.

The activity involves digging up buried ‘bones’ in a systematic manner and reconstructing the skeleton. By observing how the 'bones' were found, you can determine whether the creature was buried suddenly or not.

Many other activities related to fossils and dinosaurs can be found on our website.