Mississippi Science E.4.10

E.4.10 is a cluster heading. These are the individual standards under it.

• E.4.10.1

  Organize simple data sets to compare energy and pollution output of various traditional, non-renewable resources (e.g., coal, crude oil, wood).

• E.4.10.2

  Use technology or informational text to investigate, evaluate, and communicate various forms of clean energy generation.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students use a small data table to compare the energy and pollution from coal, fuel made from oil, and wood. They use a fact sheet to explain how solar, wind, or water power works and name one drawback.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

A student graphs energy and pollution for equal amounts of fuel, then uses the numbers to support a choice. They can explain that solar panels make electricity without burning fuel, but need sunlight.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may think the fuel that gives the most energy must also cause the least pollution. Some call solar power pollution-free or assume wood is always renewable, even when trees are not replanted.

04

How to Assess It

Give this sample data for equal amounts burned: coal (8 energy, 7 pollution), gasoline (9, 6), wood (4, 5). Ask students to draw paired bars, choose the least-polluting fuel that meets an 8-unit energy goal, and name one drawback of solar power.

1. 01

   Give pairs a sample table for coal, gasoline, and wood, then have them build energy and pollution bar graphs with colored cubes.

2. 02

   Ask students to write which fuel they would choose for a power plant, citing its energy and pollution numbers.

3. 03

   Play 'Pick a power source' with fuel and solar cards; teams choose an option that meets a posted energy goal and pollution limit.

4. 04

   Open the local utility's power source chart and have students compare its largest source with solar power using a printed fact card.

• E.3.10

  Students will demonstrate an understanding that all materials, energy, and fuels that humans use are derived from natural sources.

• P.4.6A

  Students will demonstrate an understanding of the common sources and uses of heat and electric energy and the materials used to transfer heat and electricity.

• E.2.10

  Students will demonstrate an understanding of how humans use Earth’s resources.

• E.K.10

  Students will demonstrate an understanding of how humans use Earth’s resources.