Transition to Renewable Energy Now
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Provided by: Project Look Sharp|Published on: August 12, 2021
Lesson Plans
Scientist Reviewed
9101112AP
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 15-30-minute media literacy activity, students analyze two short video clips that show how solar energy increases the quality of life for people in rural Zambia and urban China.
- Students will learn the environmental harms of coal-powered electricity compared to the benefits of solar technologies.

Subjects: Physics, Economics, Engineering
Authors: Project Look Sharp, Sox Sperry
Region: Africa, Asia
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The lesson contains possible questions for social studies, science, ELA, and media literacy. Teachers can select from these questions to tailor their lesson.
- The lesson plan and the videos can be downloaded and used offline.
Additional Prerequisites
- Teachers should download and review the "How to Use Materials" document for this activity. A free account with Project Look Sharp is required to do this.
- This activity assumes prior knowledge of renewable and non-renewable sources of electricity and their differences.
Differentiation
- This can be used as a short activity like a bellringer or warm-up by selecting fewer questions.
- This activity is ideal for creating awareness about the lives of people in underdeveloped countries.
- Students can be challenged to identify the sources of electricity/energy within their community and the possible harmful effects on the environment.
- Students can explore how their community could benefit from solar energy. Check out this resource to see how solar panels could be installed on your school.
- This can be used in a media literacy class to identify the use of effects, music, and other filmmaking techniques.
- Other similar activities on media decoding by Project Look Sharp include The Urgency of Climate Action, Community Responses to Climate Disaster Recovery, and Carbon Trading: Arguments For and Against.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
Project Look Sharp
Project Look Sharp is a nonprofit, mission-driven outreach program of Ithaca College. Their mission is to help K-16 educators enhance students' critical thinking, metacognition, and civic engagement through media literacy materials and professional development.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →




