This resource is an interactive map that includes all components of the United States wind infrastructure, including wind energy power plants and both onshore and offshore wind resources (100 meter wind speeds). This resource is easy to use and the interactive legend is easily understood. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 2: Geography
D2.Geo.2.6-8 Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions, and changes in their environmental characteristics.
D2.Geo.2.9-12 Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions and their political, cultural, and economic dynamics.
D2.Geo.3.9-12 Use geographic data to analyze variations in the spatial patterns of cultural and environmental characteristics at multiple scales.
D2.Geo.4.9-12 Analyze relationships and interactions within and between human and physical systems to explain reciprocal influences that occur among them.
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
HS-ESS3-2 Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral resources based on cost-benefit ratios.
The map is easy to use and has some very clear patterns, so I had my students make predictions about why certain states had more wind power plants and some had none. Then I gave them time to do independent research to confirm or update their predictions.