Lesson 4: Energy Resources, Efficiency, and Engineering Design

What criteria define renewable versus nonrenewable energy sources?

How do energy production choices impact environmental and societal systems?

How is energy efficiency measured and why is it always less than 100% in real systems?

How do engineering constraints influence the design of energy conversion devices?

What design strategies can reduce energy loss in engineered systems?

How can data be used to justify energy policy and engineering decisions?

Renewable energy
Nonrenewable energy
Fossil fuels
Solar energy
Wind energy
Hydroelectric energy
Geothermal energy
Energy efficiency
Input energy
Output energy
Energy loss
Engineering design process
Sustainability
Environmental impact

HS-PS3-3
Design, evaluate, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another, based on criteria such as efficiency, performance, and constraints
HS-ESS3-1
Evaluate real-world data on natural resource availability and use scientific reasoning to describe how human energy choices impact environmental and societal systems
NGSS Crosscutting Concepts
Energy and Matter
Systems and System Models
Cause and Effect
Stability and Change

Analyze comparative datasets of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources

Interpret efficiency graphs and energy loss models

Evaluate environmental impact charts to support claims about energy choices

Construct CER and argument-based responses using scientific evidence

Students will evaluate multiple energy sources and their real-world implications while engaging in a full engineering design cycle. Students will analyze data on energy efficiency and environmental impact, then design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.

Students will justify design decisions using evidence from performance data and environmental trade-offs.

Activities may include:

Engineering design challenge: solar oven, wind turbine, or energy conversion prototype
Efficiency testing and iterative redesign cycles
Comparative analysis of renewable vs nonrenewable energy datasets
Graphing and interpreting energy output vs input
CER writing on energy source trade-offs
Presentation of engineering solutions with justification

Purpose: Apply scientific energy principles to real-world engineering challenges by evaluating sustainability, efficiency, and environmental impact through data-driven design solutions.

DOK Level: 4 (Extended Thinking / Strategic and Adaptive Reasoning)

Global energy access and equity issues

Climate change mitigation and renewable energy adoption

Community-level energy consumption and conservation choices

Innovation in sustainable engineering and green technology

Real-world policy decisions based on energy data and environmental impact

Renewable energy has no environmental impact

Efficiency means energy is created or increased

All energy sources have equivalent trade-offs

Engineering design has only one correct solution

Energy systems can be perfectly efficient in real-world conditions

Structured engineering design process with checkpoints

Role-based collaboration (designer, analyst, data manager, presenter)

Scaffolded CER and argument writing frames

Visual comparisons of energy systems and efficiency data

Teacher-guided iteration and redesign feedback loops

Choice-based design options for engineering challenge

• Engineering design project with prototype testing
• Efficiency analysis lab report
• CER comparing energy resources and impacts
• Quizzes on energy systems and sustainability concepts
• Performance-based rubric for design iteration and justification
• Presentation of final engineering solution with data support

• Solar oven kits or construction materials
• Wind turbine or fan-based testing systems
• Energy efficiency measurement tools
• Comparative energy data sets and charts
• Simulation tools for energy systems modeling
• Engineering design tracking sheets and rubrics