Wind, Solar, and Climate Change

Lesson Plans

Grades9, 10, 11, 12Earth and Space Sciences

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative

Open Resource

What it is

This resource describes the benefits and challenges of wind and solar power, the basics of wind and solar, and how both have become much more energy efficient, reliable, and cost-competitive.
An educator guide is included with discussion questions, class activities, and student readings.

Teaching tips

Positives

The materials included make it easy for educators to adapt this resource for use in many subject areas.
The maps of where solar and wind are the most plentiful in the United States could be great for students learning geography.

Additional Prerequisites

The podcast uses some vocabulary terms such as kinetic energy, electric grid, and transmission infrastructure.

Differentiation

Try having students conduct the energy storage research project as an extension activity.
Check out the "dive deeper" tab of the podcast for more resources related to wind and solar technologies.
The graphs could be used in math and science classes for lessons about dependent and independent variables.
Other resources that could support this resource include this e-book about renewables and this lesson plan about renewable energy sources.

From the scientist review

This resource includes a podcast in which an MIT expert is interviewed and presents an overview of wind and solar renewable technologies, and the ways in which costs are calculated. This resource covers a wide range of topics, including energy storage, consumer demand, and specific solar and wind technologies. A transcript and educator's guide, along with additional resource links, are provided. This resource is recommended for teaching.

How we review resources

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At a glance

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences
Other types: Activity - Classroom, Worksheets, Podcasts
Format: PDF
Language: English
Location: Earth, North America, North America > United States
Provider: MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative
Authors: MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative
Published: April 27, 2021
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.9 + 7 more

Core

Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.9Synthesize information from a range of sources (e.g., texts, experiments, simulations) into a coherent understanding of a process, phenomenon, or concept, resolving conflicting information when possible.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

HS-ESS3-2.Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral resources based on cost-benefit ratios.
HS-ESS3-4.Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
HS-ETS1-3.Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics, as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.

Michigan Climate Education Hub

Michigan K-12 ELA Standards

RSLSTS.11-12.9.Synthesize information from a range of sources (e.g., texts, experiments, simulations) into a coherent understanding of a process, phenomenon, or concept, resolving conflicting information when possible.

Michigan K-12 Science Standards

HS-ESS3-2Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral resources based on cost-benefit ratios.
HS-ESS3-4Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
HS-ETS1-3Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics, as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.

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Teaching tips

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