Energy Conversions and Transfer · Term 4

Renewable and Non-Renewable Resources

Comparing different sources of energy and their environmental impacts on local and global scales.

About This Topic

This topic explores the various sources of energy we use to power our world, categorized into renewable (like wind, solar, and hydro) and non-renewable (like coal, oil, and gas). In the Ontario curriculum, this unit emphasizes the environmental impact of energy choices and the importance of sustainable practices. Students will look at Ontario's specific energy mix, including our heavy reliance on nuclear and hydroelectric power.

This is a critical area for integrating Indigenous perspectives on stewardship and the 'Seven Generations' principle, which considers the impact of today's decisions on the future. Students will also investigate how energy use varies across different Canadian communities. This topic comes alive when students can physically model the patterns of energy production and consumption through role play and structured debates.

Learning Objectives

• Compare the environmental impacts of renewable and non-renewable energy sources on local ecosystems.
• Explain why some energy sources are finite while others are naturally replenished.
• Analyze how community energy consumption patterns affect air and water quality in Ontario.
• Evaluate the suitability of different energy sources for a specific community's needs and resources.
• Identify Indigenous perspectives on resource stewardship and their relevance to sustainable energy use.

Before You Start

Sources of Energy

Why: Students need a basic understanding of what energy is and that it comes from different sources before they can classify them as renewable or non-renewable.

Basic Needs of Living Things

Why: Connecting energy use to environmental impacts requires students to understand how air and water quality affect the health of plants, animals, and people.

Key Vocabulary

Renewable Resource	An energy source that can be naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as solar, wind, or hydro power.
Non-Renewable Resource	An energy source that exists in finite quantities and is consumed much faster than it can be formed, like coal, oil, and natural gas.
Environmental Impact	The effect of human activities on the natural environment, including changes to air, water, land, and living organisms.
Energy Mix	The combination of different energy sources a region or country uses to meet its energy demands.

Active Learning Ideas

Formal Debate: The Energy Mix

The class is divided into groups representing different energy sources. They must research the pros and cons of their source (cost, environment, reliability) and debate which combination is best for a new town in Northern Ontario.

⏱ 60 min·Whole Class

Generate mission

Inquiry Circle: Solar Oven Design

Groups use pizza boxes, foil, and plastic wrap to build a solar oven. They test how well it can melt a marshmallow and discuss the variables that affected its 'energy efficiency.'

⏱ 90 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Gallery Walk: Energy Around the World

Students create posters showing how different countries or regions (like Quebec's hydro dams or Alberta's oil sands) get their energy. They walk around and identify which sources are renewable and which are not.

⏱ 35 min·Whole Class

Generate mission

Real-World Connections

Hydroelectric dams, like the Sir Adam Beck Hydroelectric Generating Stations in Niagara Falls, Ontario, harness the power of water to generate electricity, impacting local river ecosystems and providing power to millions.

Wind farm technicians monitor and maintain turbines in regions like the Pincher Creek area of Alberta, ensuring efficient energy capture from wind currents and contributing to Canada's renewable energy goals.

Environmental consultants analyze the potential impact of new fossil fuel extraction projects, such as oil sands development in Alberta, advising on mitigation strategies to protect air and water quality for nearby communities.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Renewable energy is 'free' and has no environmental impact.

What to Teach Instead

While the fuel (sun/wind) is free, the equipment costs money and has an impact (like dams affecting fish or mines for battery minerals). Peer discussion about 'trade-offs' helps students develop a more nuanced view.

Common Misconception

We will never run out of non-renewable resources.

What to Teach Instead

Non-renewable resources take millions of years to form and are being used much faster than they can be replaced. A 'resource depletion' simulation using a bowl of beads helps illustrate this finite nature.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Present students with images of different energy sources (e.g., solar panel, coal mine, wind turbine, oil rig). Ask them to sort these into two columns: 'Renewable' and 'Non-Renewable', and briefly explain their reasoning for one item in each column.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Imagine our school needs a new energy source. What are two pros and two cons of using solar panels versus natural gas for our school?' Facilitate a class discussion, encouraging students to reference environmental impacts and resource availability.

Exit Ticket

Ask students to write one sentence explaining why the 'Seven Generations' principle is important when choosing energy sources, and one sentence describing a specific way energy use affects air or water quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can active learning help students understand energy resources?

Energy resources can feel like a distant, political topic. Active learning, such as designing solar ovens or debating energy policy for a fictional town, brings the stakes down to a personal level. When students have to defend a specific energy source, they are forced to look at the data and understand the real-world complexities of 'green' vs. 'reliable' energy.

Where does most of Ontario's electricity come from?

Most of Ontario's electricity comes from nuclear power and hydroelectricity, with a growing amount coming from wind and solar.

What makes an energy source 'renewable'?

An energy source is renewable if it comes from a process that is naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, or flowing water.

How can we save energy at home?

Simple actions like turning off lights, using LED bulbs, and keeping windows closed when the heat or AC is on can significantly reduce energy consumption.