Geothermal energy is one of the components of the National Energy Policy: “Reliable, Affordable, and Environmentally Sound Energy for America’s Future.” This lesson includes five activities that will give your students information on the principles of heat transfer and the technology of using geothermal energy to generate electricity. The activities are:

• What factors affect the heat transfer from rock to water?
• How does energy transferred between fluids in a binary geothermal power plant work?
• How does salinity affect the boiling point of water?
• How do the emissions from a geothermal power plant compare to those from a fossil fuel power plant?
• How does the size and number of turbine blades and steam jets affect the performance of a model dry steam power plant?

Varies by activity

Science Content Standards: 5-8

CONTENT STANDARD A: Science As Inquiry

• Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
• Understandings about scientific inquiry

CONTENT STANDARD B: Physical Science

• Properties and changes of properties in matter
• Motions and Forces
• Transfer of energy

CONTENT STANDARD D: Earth and Space Science

• Structure of the Earth System

CONTENT STANDARD E: Science and Technology

• Abilities of technological design
• Understandings about science and technology

CONTENT STANDARD F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives

• Populations, Resources, and Environments
• Science and technology in society

CONTENT STANDARD G: History and Nature of Science

• Science as a human endeavor
• Nature of science