
The Lesson Plan – Power Plants
Standards
Science – CTE-ENGY.68.GENRL.03.01
Describe the energy source(s) the power plants use
Science – CTE-ENGY.68.GNRATN.07.06
Discuss types of locations where building nuclear power plants would not be feasible.
Science – CTE-ENGY.68.GNRATN.02.01
Explain the conventional electric power generation systems and process (coal, petroleum, hydroelectric and nuclear).
Science – CTE-ENGY.68.GNRATN.07.03
Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power
English Language Arts – LAFS.6.SL2
Cluster 2: Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas
Big Idea(s)
The Practice of Science
Essential Question
How do power plants benefit society?
Vocabulary
Power Plant • Steam • Natural Gas • Combined Cycle Design • Nuclear • Hydro • Turbine • Wind Energy • Conventional • Non-Conventional • Renewable • Non-Renewable • Documentary • Biomass
Background Information
Power plants are industrial facilities that generate electrical power. The types of power plants can include:
Steam Turbine: Known as a simple cycle design, traditionally power plants that burn fuel to release heat. Referred to as thermal power plants; uses coal and oil.
Gas Turbine: Natural gas plants that burn a steady stream of gas.
Combined Cycle Design: Plant that can use exhaust gases from a gas turbine plant and power a steam turbine. A combination of two plants which powers the other.
Nuclear: Working in the same way as a coal or oil plant in how power is created a nuclear plant will smash atoms apart to release heat energy instead of burning fuel.
Hydro: Use of vast amounts of water to power turbines.
Wind: Use of large wind turbines, usually propellers connected to a generator.
Solar: Use of photovoltaic panels.
Guiding Questions
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What are the different types of power plants?
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Are all types of power plants necessary or can we just use one type of power plant to generate electrical power?
Math Mania
The power plants of today can convert about one-third of the energy stored in its fuels into electricity. As these conversions are taking place, most of the energy is transformed into heat rather than electricity. If one electric power plant is consuming 360 units of energy each, and every day.
How many units of electricity would the plant generate in a full week?
The correct response is 840 units
Instructional Sequence
Fun Facts
Did you know…
- If you live within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant then you are exposed to an average annual dose of 0.09 milligram per year, which is the same as eating 1.64 bananas?
- As of 2018, the largest power stations in the world are all hydroelectric power stations?
https://factrepublic.com/30-interesting-facts-about-power-plants/
Inquiry Type
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Confirmation Inquiry
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Guided Inquiry
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PBL Class/Group Activity
Teacher Resources
Videos:
- Video: Thermal Power Plant
- Video: Combined Cycle Design
- Video: Hydroelectric Power Plant
- Video: Nuclear Power Plant
- Video: Steam Turbine Power Plant
- Video: Solar Power Plant
- Video: Wind Energy Career Video
- Video: Wind Power Plant
Energy at a Glance Posters:
- NEED Poster – Biomass At A Glance
- NEED Poster – Wind At A Glance
- NEED Poster – Solar At A Glance
- NEED Poster – Propane At A Glance
- NEED Poster – Petroleum At A Glance
- NEED Poster – Natural Gas At A Glance
- NEED Poster – Hydropower At A Glance
- NEED Poster – Hydrogen At A Glance
- NEED Poster – Geothermal At A Glance
- NEED Poster – Coal At A Glance