Geothermal Activity Lesson Plan #2

Topic: Geothermal Activity Unit Study

Students: Holly Walkers 6th Grade Science Class at Wasilla Middle School
Teacher: Janice Enquist
Grade level: 6th Grade
Objectives:

Standards: The student demonstrates an understanding of how energy can be

transformed, transferred, and conserved by

[6] SB2.1 recognizing that energy can exist in many forms
(i.e., heat, light, chemical, electrical, mechanical) [7] SB2.1
explaining that energy (i.e., heat, light, chemical, electrical,
mechanical) can change form [8] SB2.1 identifying the initial
source and resulting change in forms of energy in common
phenomena (e.g., sun to tree to wood to stove to cabin heat)
Understanding
Students will understand the cause of geysers, hot springs, and mud pots. They can explain the advantages and dangers of this
type of geothermal activity.
Students will know where many of the geysers and hot springs are. They can identify which countries in the world have these
hot spots.
Essential Questions: What is the difference between volcanic action and geothermal activity?
Could geothermal energy be cost effective in Alaska?
Why arent there more energy plants with turbines around hot springs?

Assessment Plan:
Vocabulary test of Geothermal vocabulary
Teaching
EntranceSlip:Intwoorthreesentences,writeasummaryofourdiscussion.Whatenergysourceisbest
forWasillaareaandwhy.Putyournameonthepaper.

Anticipatory Set: Quake Lake Story on Power Point

Geothermal Experiment:
In this lesson plan, we cover a pan, with water in it, as tightly as possible with two
sheets of aluminum foil. This is the underground cavity for a geothermal spring or geyser.

Then we set it on a heat source (stove) representing the magma deep in the earth. When
it starts boiling, we put a small nail hole in the middle of the sheets of foil. As the steam
escapes, we hold a pin wheel over the hole. The steam energy turns the pin wheel which
represents a turbine. In this way, electricity is generated in a geothermal power plant.
1. Child's pinwheel
2. Aluminum foil
3. Empty soup can or similar sized tin can with one end cut off
4. Small cooking pot
5. Hot plate
6. 10p nail
7. Mitten type of pot holder

Input:PowerPointPresentation
Modeling: Review Vocabulary Think Aloud
Assessment: Geothermal Activity Quiz
Closure:JapaneseMonkeys

Reflection:EachtimeItaughtthelesson,thepacingwasbetter.Iwastryingtocramtoomuchintothe
firstday,soIhadtoputmoreinthe2nd.Someclassesengagedsowellindiscussion,withtheiraskinglotsof
appropriatequestionsandeagerlywantingtorespondtomyessentialquestions,thatitwashardtofitallthe
activitiesininthetimeframe.Asaresult,oneclassdidnothavetimetotaketheirquizattheend.TheHost
Teachersuggestedthattheytakethequizthefollowingday.Besidestheonedisasterwhenthehotplateshattered,
theexperimentwentwellandstudentsseemedtocatchontothegeothermalsteamasanexcellentsourceof

energy.Overall,itwasanexcitingandrewardingexperienceformeasIsawthestudentssoengagedandeager

tolearn.
TheentranceSlipstimulateddeeperthinking.Thestudentsweretowritewhattheythoughtwouldbethe
bestenergysourceforWasilla.Theyhadtoconsidertherenewableandnonrenewablesources,thenmatchitup
withresourcesinWasilla.Itwasopenendedandtheyknewthattherewasnorightorwronganswers.Mostof
themleanedtowardshavingwindenergy!Belowisasampleofthequiztheytook.Thelastquestionswereabout
geothermalenergyinIceland,Hydroelectricenergyindams,andthedefinitionofgeysers.Ithoughtthe6 th
gradersdidwell.Theyhaveaheadstartonthe7th&8thgradestandardslistedintheStandardsabove.

Name____________________________________________

Period___________________

In two or three sentences, tell what type of power or heat energy would be best for the
Wasilla area. Base your conclusion on the class discussion. Tell why you think it would be
best. There is no right answer. Be sure to use a capital letter for your sentences and
punctuation at the end.

Name____________________________________________

Period___________________

In two or three sentences, tell what type of power or heat energy would be best for the
Wasilla area. Base your conclusion on the class discussion. Tell why you think it would be
best. There is no right answer. Be sure to use a capital letter for your sentences and
punctuation at the end.

Name____________________________________________

Period___________________

In two or three sentences, tell what type of power or heat energy would be best for the
Wasilla area. Base your conclusion on the class discussion. Tell why you think it would be
best. There is no right answer. Be sure to use a capital letter for your sentences and
punctuation at the end.

Name____________________________________________

Period___________________

In two or three sentences, tell what type of power or heat energy would be best for the
Wasilla area. Base your conclusion on the class discussion. Tell why you think it would be
best. There is no right answer. Be sure to use a capital letter for your sentences and
punctuation at the end.

Geothermal Activity Lesson Plan #1

Topic: Geothermal Activity Unit Study
Students: Holly Walkers 6th Grade Science Class at Wasilla Middle School
Teacher: Janice Enquist
Grade level: 6th Grade
Objectives:

Standards: The student demonstrates an understanding of how energy can be

transformed, transferred, and conserved by

[6] SB2.1 recognizing that energy can exist in many forms
(i.e., heat, light, chemical, electrical, mechanical) [7] SB2.1
explaining that energy (i.e., heat, light, chemical, electrical,
mechanical) can change form [8] SB2.1 identifying the initial
source and resulting change in forms of energy in common
phenomena (e.g., sun to tree to wood to stove to cabin heat)

Understandings: Students will understand the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources
Knowledge: Students will define the following words:
Geothermal energy = heath from the earth Geo thermal (earth - heat) Think of other words that have geo or thermal
Magma molten rock (show my volcanic rock)
Impermeable impassable; not permitting the passage of fluid
Permeable passable
Renewable - to restore, replenish
Non-renewable not able to restore
Hydrokinetic Energy motion of liquids
Solar Energy energy derived from the sun solar radiation
Nuclear Energy energy released by reactions within atomic-nuclei
Skills: Students will be able to identify several hot spots in Alaska and Iceland
Students can describe the effects of steam energy on power turbines
Essential Questions:
What heat source do you have in your home?
What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy?
What are the advantages of renewable energy? Forever, no pollution, price,
What are the advantages of renewable energy? In place, convenience, we are used to it
What is clean energy?
Think about Wasilla: what do you think is the best energy source? Why?

Assessment Plan: (During 2nd lesson)

Vocabulary test of Geothermal vocabulary
Entrance Slip:
Teaching

Anticipatory Set
Share my volcano experiences
Discuss the survey and then have the oldest student at each table pick up a survey
Input:PowerPointPresentation
Modeling: Review Vocabulary Think Aloud
Pass out Vocabulary Papers go over the meanings whenever the right slide comes
along have them draw an illustration

CheckforUnderstanding:OralQuizonVocabularyWords
Reflection:Ienjoyedteachinggeothermalenergy.Ilearnedsomuchduringthelessonpresentation,thatI
wasexcitedandpassionateaboutthesubject.Severalofthestudentsareinterestedandexceptionallittle
scientists.Theyaskedexcellentquestionsandmadeawesomeconnectionstotherealworld.Itmakesme

wanttobeascienceteacher!Thehostteacherbasedherevaluationonthisclassandthenextone.Youcan
readherremarksintheStudentEvaluation.Shehasnotgiventhemtomeyet,butIdidreadthem.She
suggestedProficientinseveralareaswithDevelopinginothers.AtleastIhavepassedtheBeginning!
Geothermal Experiment http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/projects/geothermal-pp.html
Geothermal Information for Grades 5-8
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/education/pdfs/geothermal_energy.pdf
http://geology.com/articles/geyser.shtml
Geothermal energy in remote Alaska
Laura Nielsen
June 11, 2014

http://www.adn.com/article/20140611/geothermal-energy-remote-alaska

Geothermal Activity Lesson Plan #1 & #2

Topic: Geothermal Activity Unit Study
Students: Holly Walkers 6th Grade Science Class at Wasilla Middle School
Teacher: Janice Enquist
Grade level: 6th Grade

Lively discussion about Geothermal Discoveries in North America

Objectives:
Standards: The student demonstrates an understanding of how energy can be transformed, transferred, and conserved by
[6] SB2.1 recognizing that energy can exist in many forms

(i.e., heat, light, chemical, electrical, mechanical) [7] SB2.1 explaining that energy (i.e., heat,
light, chemical, electrical, mechanical) can change form [8] SB2.1 identifying the initial source and
resulting change in forms of energy in common phenomena (e.g., sun to tree to wood to stove to
cabin heat)
Understandings: Students will understand the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources.

Students will understand the cause of geysers, hot springs, and mud pots. They can explain the advantages and
dangers of this type of geothermal activity.
Knowledge: Students will define the following words:
Geothermal energy = heath from the earth Geo thermal (earth - heat) Think of other words that have geo or thermal
Magma molten rock (show my volcanic rock)
Impermeable impassable; not permitting the passage of fluid
Permeable passable
Renewable - to restore, replenish
Non-renewable not able to restore
Hydrokinetic Energy motion of liquids
Hydroelectric Energy Energy made from falling water, usually in a dam
Solar Energy energy derived from the sun solar radiation
Nuclear Energy energy released by reactions within atomic-nuclei
Fissures holes where steam escapes in geysers
Fumaroles geyser that are mud pots

Students will know where many of the geysers and hot springs are. They can identify which countries in the world
have these hot spots.
Skills: Students will be able to identify several hot spots in Alaska and Iceland
Students can describe the effects of steam energy on power turbines

Essential Questions:
What heat source do you have in your home?
What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy?
What are the advantages of renewable energy? Forever, no pollution, price,
What are the advantages of renewable energy? In place, convenience, we are used to it
What is clean energy?

What is the difference between volcanic action and geothermal activity?

Could geothermal energy be cost effective in Alaska?
Why arent there more energy plants with turbines around hot springs?

Assessment Plan: Vocabulary test on Geothermal Activity

Sample of Assessment

Teaching

EntranceSlip:Intwoorthreesentences,writeasummaryofourdiscussion.Whatenergysourceisbest
forWasillaareaandwhy.Putyournameonthepaper.

Anticipatory Set: 1st lesson Hawaii Volcanoes and Asama Yama 2nd lesson Quake
Lake Story on Power Point
Geothermal Experiment:
In this experiment plan, we cover a pan, with water in it, as tightly as possible with two sheets of aluminum
foil. This is the underground cavity for a geothermal spring or geyser. Then we set it on a heat source (stove)
representing the magma deep in the earth. When it starts boiling, we put a small nail hole in the middle of the
sheets of foil. As the steam escapes, we hold a pin wheel over the hole. The steam energy turns the pin wheel
which represents a turbine. In this way, electricity is generated in a geothermal power plant.
8.

Child's pinwheel

9.

Aluminum foil

10. Empty soup can or similar sized tin can with one end cut off
11. Small cooking pot
12. Hot plate
13. 10p nail
14. Mitten type of pot holder

Materials for Experiment

Discuss the results of the survey: What heat source do you use in your home?
What kind of heat source do you have in your home?
Table # ______________ Period __________
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Oil
Coal
Natural Gas
Electric
Water Boiler
Radiant
Wood
Kerosene
Propane
Heat Pump
Geothermal
Solar
Dont know

Input:PowerPointPresentation

UsingthePrometheanboardforthePowerPoint

Modeling: Review Vocabulary Think Aloud

You Tube: How Geysers Erupt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gyhvqbIaOE
Assessment: Geothermal Activity Quiz
Closure:JapaneseMonkeys

YouTube:OldFaithfulhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE8NDuzt8eg

What kind of heat source do you have in your home?

Table # ______________ Period __________

o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Coal
Oil
Natural Gas
Electric
Water Boiler
Radiant
Wood

o
o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

Kerosene
Heat Pump
Geothermal
Solar
Dont know

o
Fissure

Fumarole

Geothermal Energy

Geyser

Hydrokinetic Energy

Impermeable

Magma

Nuclear Energy

Non-renewable Energy

Permeable

Renewable Energy

Solar Energy

6th Grade Science

Name___________________________________Date______________________Period_____________

Geothermal Activity Quiz

1.

_________________________________ means heat from the earth.

2. Magma is molten _________________________ from in the earth.

3. Rock that does not permit the passage of fluid is impermeable. True

False

4. Soil and rocks that allow the passage of fluid is _______________________________.

5. A _______________________________energy can be replenished or restored.

6. Non-renewable energy is available forever. True

False

7. A Tidal Turbine is an example of Hydrokinetic _____________________________.

8. Energy obtained from the sun is __________________________energy.

9. Energy released by reactions within atomic-nuclei is ________________________
Energy.

10.Describe the energy source that provides 87% of Icelands heat source.
____________________________________
11. A narrow opening produced by cleavage or separation of parts is a
_______________________.
12. A fumarole is a sort of acidic hot spring or ______________ pot.
13.Dams produce _________________________________ power.
14.What is hot spring that intermittently sends up fountainlike jets of water and steam
in to the air?
Answers for Geothermal Quiz

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Geothermal (1/2 score if they got geo or thermal)

Rock or Material
True
Permeable
Renewable (or any of the renewable energy sources: sun, hydroelectric, wind,
nuclear, kinetic, geothermal)
6. False
7. Energy (or power)
8. Solar
9. Nuclear
10.Geothermal (or hot springs, steam)
11.Fissure
12.Mud
13.Hydroelectric (1/2 point for Hydro, water, electric)
14.Geyser

___________________________________________________________________________________________
______