Renewable Energy Resources
Provided by: Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education|Published on: July 4, 2026
Grades: 3, 4, 5
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Science
Authors: K-12 Energy Education Program
Region: United States, Wisconsin
Languages: English
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 →
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 60-minute lesson, students play a competitive token game that simulates the consumption of renewable and nonrenewable energy resources to meet daily electricity needs.
- Across four challenges, students model a renewable energy transition, represent different countries with real renewable and nonrenewable ratios, and design their own version of the game to meet electricity needs while preserving resources for the future.
- Students also examine how electricity is generated in Wisconsin and consider how today's energy choices affect Wisconsin's goal of carbon-free electricity by 2050.
Teaching Materials
Materials:
- KEEP’s Elementary Energy Exploration Kit, including energy resource examples and 6 bags of poker chips with extra green chips
- Timer
- Printed student worksheets
Classroom Implementation:
- This lesson is one of nine lessons in the Elementary Energy Explorations series.
- Before engaging in this lesson, introduce students to Wisconsin's Clean Energy Plan and analyze its progress towards its 2050 goal.
- Guide students through the questions in the student worksheet by facilitating class discussions and sharing their answers after each challenge.
- Although the lesson is designed for classrooms in Wisconsin, the challenges can be easily adapted to other states by adapting the ratio of tokens to reflect your state's energy sources.
Sustainable Development Goals Connections:
- This resource can be used to make connections to Sustainable Development Goal 7, Affordable and Clean Energy.
- This resource can be used to make connections to Sustainable Development Goal 13, Climate Action.
This lesson and activity teaches students about renewable and non-renewable energy. Students will learn about how energy usage and production can differ across the globe, and why prioritizing renewable energy is beneficial for future energy needs. Climate change is not the focus of the lesson, however it is mentioned. The information presented is accurate, and this resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
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