TILclimate Educator Guide: Today I Learned About the Electric Grid

This Guide for Educators was developed by the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative as an extension of our TILclimate (Today I Learned: Climate) podcast, to make it easier for you to teach climate change, earth science, and energy topics in the classroom. It is an extension of the TILclimate episode "TIL about the electric grid."

Description

The electric grid is an invisible and yet deeply necessary part of modern life. Through a game, students understand the challenges of keeping the grid balanced. Students explore two map-based datasets to explain why and how the grid stays balanced. A deeper dive into their own local electric grid makes the learning relevant.

SWBAT:

• Explain why the electric grid needs to be balanced over space and time

• Evaluate choices made in a region in terms of how electricity is generated and transmitted

Skills:

• Map reading

• Data interpretation

• Communication

Standards:

• HS-PS2-6 Communicate scientific and technical information about why the molecular-level structure is important in the functioning of designed materials

• HS-ESS3-4 Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY Informational Texts, Science and Technical Subjects

  • Connect investigation of the local electric grid to news articles about changes to the local electric makeup

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH History/Social Studies

  • The growth of the electric grid is a driving force for 20th century societal, technological, and demographic change

Disciplinary core ideas:

• PS3.B: Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer

• ETS1.A: Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems

   

What is included in this Educator Guide

1. How to use TILclimate Educator Guides (Download)
    
2. Teacher pages (Download)
   • Includes materials, discussion questions, background resources, and adaptation suggestions for science, social science, and ELA teachers
      
3. Student pages (Download)

   • Electric Grid Game & Discussion

   • History of the Electric Grid (reading)

   • Electricity Use Explorations

   • My Electric Grid

      

Listen to the episode