Energy Lab

Annenberg Learner, Annenberg Foundation

This activity challenges students to try and meet the world's projected energy demand over the next century, decade by decade, by manipulating a menu of available energy sources in the online Energy lab simulator all while keeping atmospheric carbon dioxide under a target 550ppm.

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Notes from our reviewers

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Educator should be sure students utilize the information in the HELP section to understand how to use the simulator effectively. Consider doing the Carbon Lab referred to in this activity as a precursor to this lab.
Using the online Energy lab simulator, a portfolio of different energy sources is used to meet the demand for rising energy needs due to increasing populations and growing economies. Since there is no perfectly clean, safe, and inexpensive source of energy, the composition of the energy simulator portfolio involves tradeoffs of safety, cost, and -- of increasing concern -- emissions of greenhouse gases such as CO2. Data sources for projected energy demand and related CO2 concentrations are not provided. Comments from expert scientist: Scientific strengths: This resource promoted critical thinking and individual analysis of findings from the lab. Moreover, it pushed students to evaluate their results not only under a scientific lens, but under an implementation lens, as well. This type of solutions-based approach helps to develop interdisciplinary thinking, which is a great strength. The lab was developed by scientists working at Harvard, Stanford, and NREL, and the entire Habitable Planet module was awarded an AAAS Science Award for excellence in online education. Suggestions: Elaboration on the risks associated with climate change (or at least a link to another module explaining them) would be useful to put the lab into context. The lab provides very little background information, which is nice because it keeps things streamlined, but more links to relevant information would be nice.
Activity includes two lessons: 1) Managing (energy) Resources to control atmospheric CO2 concentrations, and 2) Energy Efficiency to help control atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Each lesson poses a challenge and uses an interactive "simulator" and a series of guided questions as a platform for students to respond to the challenge. A downloadable data sheet is available to record results from the two lessons. Full explanations and guidance on completing each lesson are provided.
Activity is well laid out and easy to follow. It is interactive and easy to use once students understand the detail and assumptions behind it. The simulator is easy to use, but students will need to consult the HELP button in the menu bar to understand the functionality and assumptions behind the simulator.