Fusion Energy and Climate Change
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Provided by: MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative|Published on: June 17, 2022
Lesson PlansScientist Reviewed
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this lesson, students will listen to a podcast about fusion energy, participate in a kinesthetic fusion activity, take a virtual tour of the MIT Alcator C-Mod, read about energy usage in the United States, and research the impact that fusion energy could have on energy production.
Subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Space Sciences, Engineering
Authors: MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The podcast features an interview with Dennis Whyte, the director of the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center, who explains why fusion energy is so difficult to achieve.
- The guide's wrap-up questions about the podcast will make students think critically about fusion.
- Students will enjoy the fascinating 360° virtual tour of the Alcator C-Mod.
Additional Prerequisites
- In the research resources section, the link to the International Atomic Energy Agency is broken.
- Students should have a basic understanding of sub-atomic particles, atomic structure, and chemical reactions.
Differentiation
- Science and engineering classes could use this lesson when teaching about atoms, energy, the Sun, and chemical reactions.
- Social studies classes could debate the following statement: more money and time should be spent on trying to make fusion energy work. Students could consider the following questions as they prepare for the debate:
- Why is fusion energy important?
- How could fusion energy revolutionize the electricity and manufacturing industries?
- If scientists can figure out a way to produce fusion energy, will it always be expensive?
- Do we have time to wait for this solution or should it be a secondary priority?
- English language arts or creative writing classes could write a science fiction short story set in a world where scientists have figured out a way to produce fusion energy.
- Other resources on this topic include this video on obstacles to producing fusion energy, this TED-Ed video on current and projected global energy needs, and this ClimateScience course on clean energy.
Scientist Notes
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About the Partner Provider
MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative
Founded in 2014, the Environmental Solutions Initiative (ESI) is MIT’s institute-wide effort to mobilize the substantial scientific, engineering, policy, and design capacity of the MIT community to contribute to addressing climate change and other environmental challenges of global import. ESI pursues multidisciplinary research, education, events, and partnerships to help move society toward an environmentally and socially sustainable future. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts on MIT’s main campus, ESI is powered by a lean staff working closely with students and faculty across the full spectrum of disciplines. Led by architecture professor John E. Fernandez, a leading scholar in the emerging field of urban metabolism, ESI is advised by students, faculty, alumni, and thought leaders from many sectors of society.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
