Water as an energy source (non-statutory)
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe how we use moving water to generate renewable electricity.
Key learning points
- Scientists investigate alternative energy sources to fossil fuels.
- Water turbines are built below dams. Water flows down from the reservoir and turns the turbine.
- The movement of the turbine is used to generate electricity.
- Moving water is a renewable energy source as there will always be water on Earth.
- Scientists investigate how moving water in oceans can be used to generate electricity
Keywords
Energy source - Energy sources can be used to provide heat, light, or power.
Generate - To generate electricity is to produce or make it.
Reservoir - A water reservoir is a large artificial lake used to store water.
Dam - A dam is a barrier constructed to hold back water.
Water turbine - A water turbine is a device that is turned by water to generate electricity.
Common misconception
Children may think that water wheels and water turbines cause water to move when they spin.
Teaching slides explain that water wheels and water turbines harness the energy of water to do work for us or to generate electricity.
Teacher tip
Encourage children to explore how water can turn wheels or move other objects to help them consider their own designs of water turbines.
Equipment
Equipment for making a water turbine: lolly sticks, recycled plastic bottle lids, recycled milk carton, wooden rod, sticky tack, thread, sticky tape, jug of water, a hot glue gun or strong tape.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.__________ resources are those which are never used up and so do not need to be replaced.
Q2.Why are scientists and engineers researching renewable energy sources?
Q3.What do solar cells convert into electricity?
Q4. turbines use moving air to generate electricity.
Q5.What are fossil fuels made from?
Q6.Match each fossil fuel to the state it is in at room temperature.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the name given to a wall built across a valley to raise the level of water.
Q2.Which of these energy sources use turbines to generate electricity?
Q3.Why are water turbines built below dams?
Q4.How does moving water help to generate electricity?
Q5.Moving water is a energy source.
Q6.True or false? Using moving water is a more environmentally-friendly way to generate electricity than burning fossil fuels.
To help you plan your 6 science lesson on: Water as an energy source (non-statutory), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 science lesson on: Water as an energy source (non-statutory), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
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