Lesson Plan Course Title: Concepts of Engineering and Technology Session Title: Green Energy Careers Performance Objective: After completing this lesson, students will be able to compare renewable and non-renewable energy sources. They will also demonstrate they know how to research information and create a presentation about a green energy career they are interested in pursuing by completing the Assignment: What is in a Career?, and rubric. Specific Objectives: The student will be able to: Describe opportunities and careers they have studied in fields related to physical and mechanical systems; and relate them to green energy careers. Compare renewable and non-renewable energy sources. Research and create a presentation about a green energy career that they are interested in pursuing. Identify a snapshot of jobs that are a fit for them by completing the career planning quiz. Preparation TEKS Correlations: This lesson, as published, correlates to the following TEKS. Any changes/alterations to the activities may result in the elimination of any or all of the TEKS listed. Concepts of Engineering and Technology: 130.362 (c)(9)(b) The student understands the opportunities and careers in fields related to physical and mechanical systems....describe career opportunities in physical and mechanical systems Interdisciplinary Correlations: English: 110.31(b)(1)(E) use a dictionary, a glossary, or a thesaurus (printed or electronic) to determine or confirm the meanings of words and phrases, including their connotations and denotations, and their etymology. 110.31(b)(15)(B) write procedural or work-related documents (e.g., instructions, e-mails, correspondence, memos, project plans) that include: (i) organized and accurately conveyed information; and (ii) reader-friendly formatting techniques. 1
110.31(b)(18)(A)(B) use conventions of capitalization; and use correct punctuation marks including: (i) quotation marks to indicate sarcasm or irony; (ii) comma placement in nonrestrictive phrases, clauses, and contrasting expressions; and (iii) dashes to emphasize parenthetical information. 110.31(b)(19) Oral and Written Conventions/Spelling. Students spell correctly. Students are expected to spell correctly, including using various resources to determine and check correct spellings. Computer Science I: 126.22. (3)(c)(A)(B)...discuss copyright laws/issues and model ethical acquisition and use of digital information, citing sources using established methods;...demonstrate proper etiquette and knowledge of acceptable use policies when using networks, especially resources on the Internet and intranet; 126.22. (4)(c)(A)...use local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs), including the Internet and intranet, in research and resource sharing; 126.22. (6)(c)(B)...implement methods for the evaluation of the information using defined rubrics. 126.22. (8)(c)(B)(C)...demonstrate proficiency in, appropriate use of, and navigation of LANs and WANs for research and for sharing of resources;...extend the learning environment beyond the school walls with digital products created to increase teaching and learning in the foundation and enrichment curricula; Teacher Preparation: Introduce the students to opportunities and careers in fields related to physical and mechanical systems. Allow students to select a green energy career in the fields related to physical and mechanical systems. Present the Green Energy Careers Microsoft PowerPoint. Make copies of the Assignment: What is in a Career? Microsoft Word document for each student. Allow the students to complete the Quiz: Career Planner online exercise. References: dictionary.com 2
Bioenergy Center Green Energy Jobs greenmap.org Solar Cooler Planet Energy4Me.org Khake.com US Department of Energy Instructional Aids: 1. Computer with Microsoft PowerPoint installed. 2. Computer with Microsoft Word installed. 3. Internet Materials Needed: 1. Pen/Pencil 2. Technical Terms and Definitions handout for each student 3. Finding the Right Career for You handout for each student 4. What is in a Career? handout for each student 5. What is in a Career? rubric for each student Equipment Needed: 1. Computers with Internet access 2. Video screen projector Learner Preparation: Students must understand the opportunities and careers in fields related to physical and mechanical systems. Students must select a green energy career in the fields related to physical and mechanical systems. Introduction Introduction (LSI Quadrant I): SAY: A career is an occupation or profession, especially one requiring special training, followed as one's lifework: She sought a career as an engineer. ASK: What is your career interest/occupation or profession? SHOW: Microsoft PowerPoint slide 9. SAY: In this lesson you will explore career opportunities in the Green Energy careers. ASK: Can anyone name a renewable or non-renewable energy source. SHOW: The Green Energy Careers PowerPoint. Outline Outline (LSI Quadrant II): Instructors can use the PowerPoint presentation, slides, handouts, and note pages in conjunction with the following outline. 3
MI Outline Notes to Instructor I. Technical Communication A. Technical Terms & Definition See Microsoft PowerPoint Slides 2-8 II. What is a Career? See Microsoft PowerPoint Slide 9 III. What are Green Energy Careers? See Microsoft PowerPoint Slides 10-11 IV. Green Energy Careers in the areas of: A. Biomass Energy B. Geothermal Energy C. Hydropower Energy D. Petroleum Energy E. Solar Energy F. Wind Energy See Microsoft PowerPoint Slides 12-66 VI. What is Inside a Career? Exercise A. Create a Career Presentation B. Complete Online Career Quiz See Microsoft PowerPoint Slide 67 Verbal Linguistic Logical Mathematical Visual Spatial Musical Rhythmic Bodily Kinesthetic Intrapersonal Interpersonal Naturalist Existentialist Application 4
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III): Open Microsoft Word on your computer. Open What Is In A Career? exercise document. Review the assignment with your students. Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III): Students can complete the Finding the Right Career for You! Handout; and will create a career presentation using Microsoft Word. Summary Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV): Question: What are the available careers in the Solar Energy industry? Answer: The available careers in Solar Energy are: Urban Planner, Solar Operations Engineer, Environmental Engineer, Solar Lab Technician, Solar Power Installer, Wind Turbine Fabricator, Energy Efficiency Builder, Sustainability Systems Developer, and Solar Hot Water Installer. Question: What are the available careers in the Wind Energy industry? Answer: The available careers in Wind Energy are Wind Turbine Technician, Design Engineer, Proposal Writer, Construction Manager, Large Load Transportation Specialist, and Utility Program Manager. Evaluation Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III): Students are using Microsoft PowerPoint to create their career presentation. Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III, IV): Students will complete the Career Presentation using Microsoft Word document and answer the reflection questions, How important do you think it is to research career choices? What are some of the benefits that you can obtain from this research? and will be evaluated through the rubric. Extension Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV): 1. Students will present/discuss their Career Presentation in class. 2. Students may complete Assignment 2: What do you Like? Exercise Slide 68 of the Green Energy Careers PowerPoint presentation. 5
Technical Terms and Definitions Instructions: The terms and definitions listed below are discussed in this lesson. Please review before proceeding with this lesson. Career An occupation or profession, especially one requiring special training, followed as one's lifework: He sought a career as an engineer. Energy - Is the capability of a physical system to perform work. It exists in several forms such as heat, kinetic or mechanical energy, light, potential energy, electrical or other forms. Biomass Energy - Is a renewable energy source. It is organic material made from plants and animals; contains stored energy from the sun. Geothermal Energy - Is a renewable energy source. Is heat from within the Earth. The word geothermal comes from the Greek words geo (earth) and therme (heat). HydroPower Energy - Is a renewable energy source that produces the most electricity in the United States and accounts for 6% of total U.S. electricity generation and 67% of generation from renewables in 2008. Petroleum Energy - Is a non-renewable energy source. It is gasoline, diesel fuel, and propane. Most gasoline is made from crude oil, formed from remains of plants and animals (diatoms) that lived hundreds of millions of years ago. Diesel fuel is used in diesel engines found in most freight trucks, trains, buses, boats, and farm and construction vehicles. Propane is an energy-rich gas that is found mixed with natural gas and oil. Solar Energy - Is a renewable energy source. It is the sun s rays (solar radiation) that reach the Earth. It may be converted into other forms of energy, such as heat and electricity. Wind Energy - Is renewable energy from the wind caused by moving air masses. The movement is caused by temperature and pressure differences in the atmosphere, which are tied to the non uniform distribution of solar heat. 6
What is in a Career? Project: Activity: Research and create a presentation about a career that you are interested in pursuing. Create an outline for your project. First, fill out the bubble chart included. I. What are your interests? Do you like computers, working with children, automobiles, etc.? II. List your skills. Are you good at working on your car, creating computer graphics, etc.? III. List two or three possible career choices. (Policeman, Engineer, Nurse, etc.) IV. Research each of those careers on the internet and find the following information: a. Educational Requirements b. Required Skills c. Experience d. Salary e. Job Market Outlook Is this a field with good future job prospects? f. Upside What are the benefits of working in this field? (Ex: weekends free, work from home, work outside for those who live the outdoors, etc.) g. Downside What are the detriments to this career? (Ex: work off hours, on call 24/7, etc.) h. Conclusion When your outline is complete, prepare a presentation to share this information with the class. Always cite the sources of your information in the footnote section. Use graphics, animation and slide transitions to make your presentation interesting. Include at least one website hyperlink to use during the presentation for demonstration. (For example, you could find an ad for a position on Monster.com that illustrates one or more of your points. Copy the hyperlink to the presentation and as you talk about the position, you can link to the website.) Include at least two tables and one sound file in the completed presentation. If you need an appropriate sound bite, you may use sound recorder to record your own voice. Be careful not to overdo sound effects as they can be distracting and annoying. Supplies: Internet Access, PowerPoint or other presentation software Deliverables: Completed career presentation, reflection Reflection: How important do you think it is to research career choices? What are some of the benefits that you can obtain from this research? 7
How your grade will be calculated: Graded Elements Total Points Complete Presentation Required Elements 40 Quality of Research 30 Presentation Skills 20 Reflection 10 Total 100 8
What is in a Career? Rubric Task Statement: Research and create a presentation using Windows Microsoft Word about a career you are interested in pursuing; and answer two reflection questions. Task Assignment: The Career Presentation will include 6 required elements from the What is in a Career? handout; research of 2-3 careers in 8 areas; a class presentation; and two reflection statements. Criteria - Concepts/Skills to be Assessed Complete Presentation - 6 required elements from What is in a Career? handout (outline, interests, skills, 2-3 careers) Novice 1 Up to 2 elements are completed for 1 career Developing 2 3-4 elements are completed for 2 careers Criteria Categories (Novice to Exemplary) Accomplished 3 5 elements are completed for 3 careers Exemplary 4 6 elements are completed for 3 careers Points Earned (Possible 40 points) Quality of Research 8 areas (education, skills, experience, salary, job market, upside, downside, conclusion) (5-10 points) Research conducted in 2 areas (10-15 points) Research conducted in 4 areas (15-30 points) Research conducted in 6 areas (30-40 points) Research conducted in 8 areas (Possible 30 points) Presentation Skills (graphics, animation, slide transitions, hyperlink, two tables, one sound file, references cited) (1-5 points) Up to 2 presentation skills used (5-10 points) 3-4 presentation skills used (10-20 points) 5-7 presentation skills used (20-30 points) 8 presentation skills used (Possible 20 points) Reflection 1. How important is it to research career choices? 2. What are some benefits you can obtain from this research? (4-8 points) 1 point made about importance of research; and 1 benefit from research cited (8-12 points) 2 points made about importance of research; and 2 benefits from research cited (12-16 points) 3 points made about importance of research; and 3 benefits from research cited (16-20 points) 4 points made about importance of research; and 4 benefits from research cited (Possible 10 points) (2-4 points) (4-6 points) (6-8 points) (8-10 points) A = 74-100 points; B = 43-74 points; C = 27-43 points; D = 12-27 points Total Points: 9
Finding the Right Career for You! Make a list of long-term goals. List your interests. Where do you want to live? List the city or general area where you would like to live. Fill in your name. List preferred salary. How much money do you realistically expect? List preferred working conditions. Example: Would not like to work weekends or evenings. List preferred environment. Would you like to work with people in a medical industry or education? Finally, list these items in order of importance. Is salary more important than the working environment? Now that you have thought about career choices, list possible careers and rank them in importance. 10