Energy Calculators
http://www.eia.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=about_energy_conversion_calculator-basics
http://www.eia.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=about_energy_conversion_calculator-basics
U.S. Energy Information Administration
Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»
See how this Simulation/Interactive supports the Next Generation Science Standards»
Grade Level
Energy Literacy
This Simulation/Interactive builds on the following concepts of Energy Literacy.
Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.
Notes From Our Reviewers
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Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy |
Technical Details
Teaching Tips
- The link on the bottom of the page-- http://www.eia.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=us_energy_use-basics-- has good information about the basics of energy.
- The EIA Energy Kids website (http://www.eia.gov/kids/) provides good background information and resources for learners about energy in general, and the EIA website (http://www.eia.gov/) has current information and access to energy data that can be used by students and teachers for lessons.
About the Content
- This online calculator completes unit conversions for various energy sources including: coal, electricity, natural gas, crude oil, gasoline, diesel and heating oil, residential heating fuels, and for measuring energy in food (food calories versus energy calories).
- Comment from expert scientist: Gives access to estimates for the energy density of fuels. The precision of the results is misleading in that each energy density is an estimate. For example, the energy density of coal varies by at least a factor of two depending on the rank/type. Unless the source for the conversion is very specific, the precision of the calculated results should reflect the precision of the conversion factor.
About the Pedagogy
- This is a great tool when teaching about different units of energy and the energy produced by different resources.
- It also has an excellent explanation of scientific notation.
