Science Fenns K-5Grades K to 5
A Texas kitchen at dawn with a light on, a refrigerator humming, and a pickup in the drive.

Science / All lessons / Energy and Earth Resources

Energy in Modern Life

What would a day without it look like?

Lesson 31 of 40

Try this first

Before we start

Today’s story

Energy in Modern Life

Wake up. Flip a switch. The light comes on. Turn a faucet and the water is hot. Ride in a truck to school. Every one of those uses energy.

Energy comes from resources like coal, gas, oil, wind and sunlight. Without them, farms, hospitals, schools and stores could not work the way they do now.

That is why energy matters so much. It also means we should use it with care. Follow the steps.

See it

Five steps. Every time.

    Hands on

    Energy Detective

    20 minutes · Do this with a grown-up nearby

    You need

    • Paper
    • Pencil
    • A walk around your home or classroom

    Do this

    1. Walk through each room with an adult.
    2. List every item that uses electricity or fuel.
    3. Tally how many you find.
    4. Mark the ones that are needs with a star.
    5. Think about what you would do without each.
    6. Pick the three that matter most.
    7. Share why.
    Write or draw: A tally chart and a list of three most important items.

    Watch for: Many small things add up to a lot of energy use.

    Safety: Do not touch outlets or plugs.

    Same every time

    Three rules

    Rule 1Energy runs modern life.

    Homes, farms and hospitals all need it.

    Rule 2It comes from resources.

    Resources must be managed.

    Rule 3Compare needs and wants.

    A refrigerator is a need. A video game is a want.

    Grandpa Fenn’s notebook

    Say it like a scientist

    energy
    The ability to do work or cause change.
    resource
    Something from nature people use.
    electricity
    Energy that flows through wires.
    fuel
    A material burned to make heat or power.

    Poppy’s quiz

    Six questions

    Tap an answer. Green means right. You will see why.

    Talk about it

    Say it out loud

    • How do you know your home uses energy?
    • What is one thing at school that would stop without power?
    Did you know

    A single wind turbine blade can be longer than a school bus.

    Someone who does this

    A power line worker keeps electricity flowing to homes.

    BeforeRenewable and NonrenewableNext lessonConserve, Recycle, Dispose