Coastal Heritage Curriculum Connection
Explore Curriculum Connection guides, which are written to accompany each issue of Coastal Heritage, a quarterly publication of the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium.
Coastal Heritage, Spring 2022 – Prevailing Winds: Building Momentum Offshore
Focus Questions
- What factors make the South Carolina coast an ideal location for an off-shore wind farm?
- Why is wind energy a preferred renewable energy resource?
- How could wind turbines impact wildlife, such as the North Atlantic right whale? What are the plans to minimize potential impacts?
Alignment with College- and Career-Ready South Carolina Science Standards
K
K-ESS2-2. Construct an argument supported by evidence for how plants and animals (including humans) can change the environment to meet their needs.
1
1-LS1-1. Use materials to design a solution to a human problem by mimicking how plants and/or animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs.
2
2-ESS3-1. Design solutions to address human impacts on natural resources in the local environment.
4
4-ESS3-1. Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels are derived from natural resources and how their uses affect the environment.
5
5-ESS3-1. Evaluate potential solutions to problems that individual communities face in protecting the Earth’s resources and environment.
7
B-LS2-7. Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on biodiversity and ecosystem health.
HS Biology
B-LS2-7. Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on biodiversity and ecosystem health.
HS Physics
P-PS3-3. Design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another form of energy.
HS Earth Science
E-ESS3-4. Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
E-ESS3-2. Evaluate competing design solutions that address the impacts of developing, managing, and using Earth’s energy and mineral resources.
Lesson Links and Educational Resources
This issue of Coastal Heritage focuses on wind energy, including the challenges, benefits, and future of this renewable energy source. The following lesson links and educational resources expand on these subjects in order of appearance in this issue. Suggested grade levels are provided after each listing.
Wind Energy Lesson
Wind energy is a valuable renewable resource because it is clean, abundant, and safe. Engage students in learning how wind energy is harvested using a lesson by PBS learning media. (Grades: 6 – 8)
Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy Resources
While this issue of Coastal Heritage focuses on wind energy, there are other forms of renewable energy. National Geographic has a collection of resources regarding renewable and nonrenewable energy in the format of articles, maps, and videos. (Grades: 5 – 8)
Lesson Plans for Energy
Explore more about types of energy with lesson plans and activities from U.S. Energy Information Administration: Energy Kids. This website, hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy, also provides kid-friendly activities and games to help students engage with concepts about energy. (Grades: K – 12)
Measuring Wind Speed Activity
Before deciding an ideal location for the wind farm, scientists study several factors of an area to determine if it is suitable. One of the factors that is considered is wind speed. Learn how to build an anemometer, a tool to measure wind speed, with this lesson from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, State Climatology Office. (Grades: K – 12)
Field Trip Opportunities
The Clemson Energy Building
Explore the engineering behind building a wind turbine! Clemson’s Dominion Energy Innovation Center in Charleston is featured in this issue for their contributions to wind energy. Recognized as one of the world’s most advanced wind turbine testing facilities, the center is key to the development of renewable energy technologies. Visit Clemson’s Dominion Energy Innovation Center website to schedule a tour. (Grades: 4 – 12)