Green energy is energy that comes from nature and is kind to the Earth. It comes from things like the sun, the wind, and water. These energy sources don’t run out and don’t cause pollution.

For example:

• Solar energy comes from the sun.

• Wind energy comes from the wind.

• Hydro energy comes from moving water.

Green energy helps us keep the planet clean and safe for animals, plants, and people.

What Is Green Energy?

• Flashcards or printed pictures of different energy sources (solar, wind, hydro, coal, oil, etc.)

• Labels or colored signs: Green Energy and Not Green Energy

• Space in the classroom for students to move around

Briefly explain or review what green energy is: energy that comes from natural, renewable sources like the sun, wind, and water.

1. Show and Sort:

   • Show students one card at a time with a picture or word (e.g., solar panel, wind turbine, oil rig, waterfall, light bulb, etc.).

   • Ask: “Is this green energy or not?”

   • Students then walk or point to the correct side of the room marked “Green Energy” or “Not Green Energy”.

2. Think and Explain:

   • Pick a few cards and ask students to explain why they are or are not green energy.

   • Example: “Why is wind energy green?”
           Answer: “Because it’s clean and comes from nature.”

3. Team Challenge:

   • Divide students into small teams.

   • Give each team a set of mixed cards and a time limit (e.g. 2 minutes) to sort them correctly.

   • Check answers together and celebrate correct choices.

We get energy from the sun using something called solar panels. These are flat, shiny panels that we can place on rooftops, in fields, or even on buses and calculators!

Here’s how it works:

1. The sun shines – The sun gives off light and heat every day.

2. Solar panels collect sunlight – When sunlight hits the solar panels, the panels take in the light.

3. The light is turned into electricity – Inside the solar panels are special parts called solar cells. These cells change sunlight into electricity.

4. We use the electricity – The electricity goes to homes, schools, or buildings to power lights, TVs, fridges, and more.

Solar energy is very useful because:

• It doesn’t make air dirty

• It comes from nature

• We won’t run out of it

Even on cloudy days, solar panels can still collect some sunlight!

Hydro energy (also called hydropower) is energy we get from moving water. This can be water flowing in a river, stream, or from a waterfall.

Here’s how it works:

1. Water flows – Rivers or dams have fast-moving water.

2. Water turns a big wheel – The flowing water spins a large wheel called a turbine.

3. The turbine makes electricity – When the turbine spins, it powers a machine that creates electricity.

4. We use the electricity – That electricity goes to homes, schools, and cities to power things like lights and computers.

Hydro energy is:

• Clean – it doesn’t pollute the air

• Renewable – water keeps moving in nature, so we can keep using it

• Powerful – even a little water can create a lot of energy

We use hydro energy all over the world, especially in places with big rivers or waterfalls. 

Wind energy is power we get from the wind. When the wind blows, it has a lot of energy that we can use to make electricity.

Here’s how it works:

1. The wind blows – Wind is moving air that we feel outside.

2. The wind turns big blades – We use tall machines called wind turbines. They have big blades (like a fan).

3. The blades spin – When the wind pushes the blades, they spin around.

4. The spinning makes electricity – Inside the wind turbine, the spinning blades turn a machine that makes electricity.

5. We use the electricity – That electricity can power homes, schools, lights, and more!

Wind energy is:

• Clean – it doesn’t create pollution
  
  

• Renewable – as long as the wind blows, we can use it

• Free – wind comes from nature and costs nothing to use

Wind turbines are often placed in wide, open places like fields or by the sea where the wind is strong.

“Who’s the Green Energy?”

2–6 students per group
(Teacher can lead the first few rounds)

Materials:

• Set of Energy Source Cards (see list below)
  Each card includes the name and a picture

• A “Green” and “Not Green” label or symbol on each card

• Optional: Game board or printed chart of energy types

 Example Energy Source Cards:

• Solar Energy (Green)

• Wind Energy  (Green)

• Hydropower (Green)

• Geothermal Energy (Green)

• Biomass (Green with conditions)

• Coal (Not Green)

• Oil (Not Green)

• Natural Gas (Not Green)

• Nuclear Energy  (Debatable – could be “Mixed”)

• Tidal Energy  (Green)

1. Choose a Mystery Card:
   One player (or the teacher) secretly picks an energy source card and keeps it hidden.

2. Ask Yes/No Questions:
   The other players take turns asking yes/no questions to figure out what energy source it is.
   Example questions:

   • “Is it renewable?”

   • “Does it come from the sun?”

   • “Is it used in homes?”

   • “Does it cause pollution?”

   • “Is it made from fossil fuels?”

3. Guess the Energy:
   Once a player thinks they know the answer, they say,
   “I think it’s ___ energy!”
   If they’re correct, they win the round. If not, the game continues.

4. Rotate Roles:
   Choose a new mystery card and let another student take the lead.

Scoring:

• +1 point for each correct guess

• +1 bonus point for explaining why the energy is green or not green

• First to 5 points wins!

Ideas:

• “Energy Detective” Team Game: Play in small teams and keep a score chart.

• Time Challenge: Set a timer for each round (e.g. 3 minutes).

• Draw & Guess: Instead of yes/no, one student draws the energy source while others guess. 

Station 1: Solar Energy – Build a Simple Solar Oven

Learn how sunlight can be turned into heat energy and understand solar energy use in everyday life.

Materials (per group):

• 1 empty pizza box (clean)

• Aluminum foil

• Clear plastic wrap or transparent lid

• Black construction paper

• Tape and scissors

• Glue stick

• Ruler or wooden stick (to prop open lid)

• Optional: thermometer, small food items (like marshmallows or chocolate)

1. Cut a flap in the lid of the pizza box, leaving about a 2 cm border around the edges.

2. Cover the inside of the flap with aluminum foil (shiny side out) and tape it down—this will reflect sunlight into the box.

3. Line the bottom of the box with black construction paper—this absorbs heat.

4. Stretch clear plastic wrap over the opening in the lid and tape it tightly on all sides—this keeps heat inside.

5. Use a ruler or stick to prop open the foil flap at an angle to reflect sunlight into the box.

6. Place a small item (like a marshmallow) inside and take the box outside into direct sunlight.

7. Observe how the inside of the box gets warmer.

Station 2: Wind Energy Station – Build a Mini Wind Turbine

Learn how wind energy can create movement and simulate how wind turbines work.

Materials (per student or pair):

• 1 sheet of paper (for blades)

• 1 straw (plastic or paper)

• 1 pushpin or thumbtack

• 1 pencil with an eraser

• 1 paper clip

• Scissors and tape

1. Cut the paper into a square (e.g., 15 cm x 15 cm).

2. Draw diagonal lines from corner to corner and cut halfway along each line to make four flaps.

3. Fold every other flap toward the center (but don’t crease them flat). Tape the ends in the center to form a pinwheel shape.

4. Push a pushpin through the center and into the eraser of a pencil so the pinwheel can spin freely.

5. Tape the paper clip to the back of the pinwheel as a weight for better spin (optional).

6. Blow on the pinwheel or place it near a fan and watch it spin.

Station 3: Hydro Energy Station – Build a Simple Water Wheel

See how flowing water can create movement and learn the concept of hydroelectric power.

Materials (per group):

• 1 plastic or paper plate

• 6 plastic spoons

• Tape or glue

• Scissors

• A small cup of water

• 1 pencil or stick (to act as an axle)

• 2 books or boxes to support the pencil

1. Cut the plate into a circle (if not already round).

2. Evenly space and glue or tape the spoons around the edge of the plate, all facing in the same direction (like a paddlewheel).

3. Carefully poke a hole through the center of the plate and slide a pencil through as the axle.

4. Rest the pencil between two supports (e.g., books) so the wheel can spin freely.

5. Slowly pour water over the spoons and watch the wheel turn.

 Station 4: Green Energy Art Station – Create Posters or Eco-Art

Encourage creativity while reinforcing understanding of green energy and sustainability.

Materials:

• Paper or poster boards

• Markers, crayons, or colored pencils

• Glue and scissors

• Recycled materials (e.g., bottle caps, cardboard, fabric, newspaper, old magazines)

1. Have students think about what green energy means to them (solar, wind, water, recycling, etc.).

2. Ask them to create a poster or drawing showing green energy in action—how it helps people and the planet.

3. Encourage them to use recycled materials for collage-style artwork or 3D models.

4. Alternatively, let students use digital tools (e.g., Canva, Google Drawings) to design eco-themed posters.

5. At the end, let students present or display their creations.

Needed:

• Access to a safe, age-appropriate AI platform (e.g. Canva with Magic Design, Google Bard, or ChatGPT with teacher supervision)

• Internet-connected device (tablet, laptop, or PC)

• Presentation tools (e.g. Google Slides, Canva, PowerPoint)

Introduction to AI & Green Energy 

• Teacher explains what AI is in simple terms (e.g. “AI is a smart computer program that can help us write, draw, and create ideas.”)

• Brief discussion: “What do you already know about green energy?”

• Show a short video about renewable energy (e.g. from National Geographic Kids).

Step 2: Ask AI – "What is Green Energy?" 

• In small groups or individually, students use an AI chatbot (or teacher-assisted interface) to ask simple questions such as:
  
  

  • “What are examples of green energy?”

  • “Why is solar energy good for the planet?”

  • “Can wind power be used in cities?”

Digital Citizenship Check: Remind students to use kind, respectful language and never share personal info with AI.

Create a Visual or Written Project 

Students choose one of two tasks:

Option A: Visual Creation with AI Tools

• Use Canva, AI art generators, or Google Drawings to design:

  • A “Green City of the Future”

  • A poster about wind, water, or solar power

• Students add captions or speech bubbles explaining the green energy in their design.

Option B: AI-Written Story or Dialogue

• Students prompt an AI tool to help write a short story or comic script:

  • “Write a story about a kid who builds a solar-powered car.”

  • “Create a dialogue between Wind and Coal energy arguing about who is better.”

Students then edit the AI output, add their own ideas, and personalize the final product.

Present & Reflect

• Each group or student presents their work.

Discussion:

• “What did you learn about green energy?”

• “How did AI help you?”

• “Why is it important to use AI responsibly?”

Simple Ways to Save Energy

1. Turn off the lights When you leave a room, always switch off the lights.

2. Unplug electronics Unplug chargers, tablets, or game consoles when you're not using them—they still use energy even when they’re off!

3. Use sunlight Open the curtains and use natural sunlight instead of electric lights during the day.

4. Take shorter showers Heating water uses a lot of energy. Try to take quicker showers and turn off the water while soaping up.

5. Switch off the TV or computer Don’t leave screens on if no one is watching or using them.

6. Wear a sweater In colder weather, wear warm clothes instead of turning up the heat.

7. Use a bike or walk Ask your parents to walk or bike instead of driving short distances—it saves fuel and helps the planet.

8. Close the fridge quickly Don’t leave the fridge door open too long—cold air escapes and the fridge uses more energy.

9. Recycle and reuse Making new things from old materials uses less energy than creating new products from scratch.

10. Remind your family! Be the “Energy Saver” at home and remind others to save energy too. 

Start a classroom or home challenge where, for one week, children try to turn off lights and use sunlight instead—especially when doing homework, reading, or playing indoors.

How to Make It Fun:

• Keep a sunlight log: "Did I use sunlight today?" 

• Make a “Sunlight Hero” badge for those who succeed every day

• Share ideas with friends and family to spread the challenge

• The sun gives us more energy in one hour than the whole world uses in a year!

• Wind turbines can be taller than a skyscraper! Some wind turbines are over 250 feet (76 meters) tall—almost as high as a 20-story building.

• The first windmill used for electricity was built in 1887! It happened in Scotland—over 130 years ago.

• The world’s largest solar power plant is the Bhadla Solar Park in India, covering over 14,000 acres and producing enough electricity to power millions of homes.

• The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in California uses thousands of mirrors to focus sunlight and create steam, powering over 140,000 homes.

• Iceland gets almost all its electricity and heating from geothermal energy, using heat from inside the Earth’s crust.

• Wangari Maathai, a Nobel Peace Prize winner from Kenya, inspired people to plant trees that help clean the air and support green energy goals.