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How to Fix Our Unreliable Power Grid

Provided by: Vox |Published on: April 27, 2021

Videos Grades 6-8, 9-12

Synopsis

This Vox video explains how centralized electric grids in the United States can be easily disrupted, resulting in mass power outages.
Students will learn that microgrids could decrease the number of mass power outages even as extreme weather events from climate change increase over time.
The video also shows how solar and wind microgrids can store and share excess energy with the central grid, decreasing reliance on fossil fuels.

Subjects: Engineering

Authors: Vox

Region: United States

Languages: English

Positives

This video is very short and to the point, making it a good discussion starter.
Students will appreciate how the stop-motion animation helps to illustrate the points being made in the video.

Prerequisites

This video begins with an advertisement.
Students should understand how fossil fuels cause climate change, which leads to more extreme weather.

Differentiation & Implementation

Younger students can make a list of everything in the classroom that requires electricity (lights, computers, pencil sharpener, air conditioner, etc.) and then discuss what it would be like if the power went out during the school day.
Science classes can research their local electricity grids to see whether or not the community is vulnerable to widespread power outages. As an extension, students could research and discuss microgrid alternatives for the community.
Other resources on this topic include this SubjectToClimate lesson plan on advocating for renewable energy, this video on creating electricity-free lighting solutions for power outages, and this project idea for how to get solar panels installed on a school roof.

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Resource Type and Format