Physics of the Universe · Week 17 · Energy Conversion and Renewable Energy
Geothermal Power
Modeling thermal energy at the particle scale in geothermal brine and considering how Imperial Valley communities experience new energy projects.
- Students will
- Students model thermal energy as particle motion in geothermal brine and explain how it powers a turbine while considering community views.
- SEL skill
- Describe how different people might feel about the same project
- What it looks like
- Students practice empathy by describing how different community members might experience a new energy project.
- Content focus
- Geothermal power
- Format
- Collaborative analysis
Social awareness
Social awareness is taking another person's perspective and showing empathy, especially for people with different experiences. More social awareness activities
What you get
A teacher guide with what to say, step by step, plus student pages and a supports page for students with diverse learning needs, including those with IEPs. Print or Project it, or assign it in Google Forms and Google Docs for Google Classroom. Your first 10 activities are free.
Standards
- HS-PS3-2: High School Physical Science performance expectation
- Science and engineering practice: SEP2 Developing and using models
- Crosscutting concept: CCC5 Energy and matter
- CA Environmental Principles and Concepts: Principle I: People depend on natural systems
- Literacy in science: RST.11-12.7 Translate between quantitative or technical information in words, tables, graphs, and equations.
- Traditional course: Physics
Fits these textbook chapters
- Physics Techbook, Concept 2.2: Nuclear Forces
- Physics Techbook, Concept 3.3: Laws of Thermodynamics
- Inspire Physics, Unit 3: Thermal Energy
- Inspire Physics, Unit 3: States of Matter
- California HMH Science Dimensions: Physics in the Universe, Unit 4: Energy Conversion
Textbook names are used only to help you find activities that fit what you teach. RoseThread Connect is not affiliated with these publishers.
More social awareness activities for Physics of the Universe
- Momentum and Collisions Social awarenessCalculating momentum in collisions and reflecting on how our words and actions transfer impact to others.
- Gravity Holds Us Social awarenessUsing the law of gravitation to predict attraction and noticing the invisible pulls between people in a community.
- Fields We Cannot See Social awarenessModeling the fields between interacting objects and recognizing the unseen pressures classmates may be carrying.
- Moving Plates Social awarenessArguing from rock age data for plate motion and recognizing how slow, steady change shapes people too.
Previous: Heat Engines and Efficiency · Next: Semester Reflection: My Energy Story
RoseThread Connect activities are drafted with the help of AI and shaped by educators. Students never have to share anything personal. Our five SEL skills are informed by CASEL's SEL Framework; RoseThread Learning is not affiliated with or endorsed by CASEL.