Education Resources for Students
Students can explore how to use renewable energy to create a more sustainable energy future by using these resources, developed and organized by grade level by NREL's education team.
Kindergarten–Third Grade
Watch our educational Storytime series on YouTube.
Fourth–Eighth Grade
NRELians Mission: Power Up!
Use these tools to learn about the people of NREL (aka, NRELians) and the important work they do.
NREL technologies video series
Activities and Experiments
Learn energy basics, and then put your knowledge to practice with these resources.
Activity: NRELEd: The Power of the Wind
Experiment: Building a Biomass Battery
Experiment: Building Series and Parallel Circuits
Experiment: Combining Energy Sources
Experiment: Electrons
Spark Squad Comic Book
The future of renewable energy relies on the next generation. To inspire students to explore renewable energy, NREL partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies Office to create a comic book series and educational activities.
The first Spark Squad comic follows middle school students Jasmine, Aria, and Thomas as they learn about joules and marine energy (power generated by wave motion) in preparation for their power fair. In Volume 2, the trio is joined by Asher and his Uncle Frank as they explore a hydropower facility, where they learn how a dam operates and helps the environment.
Complete the order form to get a free copy of each comic book in the mail (U.S. residents only), or download PDF versions of Spark Squad and Spark Squad Volume 2. Use the Spark Squad activity sheet and share a photo of solar, wind, and water joules around your neighborhood by using the hashtag #MyJouleJourney on social media and tagging NREL and/or the U.S. Department of Energy!
Additional Resources
For energy- and environment-related lesson plans, projects, and other activities for grades K–12, visit the Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network or see our Energy Basics page to learn more about renewable energy resources.
The Algae Academy is a K–12 module that teaches the fundamentals of algae and how it can be used as a source of renewable energy. The program provides free STEM kits that include daily lesson plans, laboratory supplies, live algae, and more for students to complete the curriculum and grow algae in their classrooms.