Running on empty? Not yet, but national energy decisions may be a bigger issue in our students’ lifetimes. A number of groups have created appealing web sites to teach young people about sources of energy as well as the environmental and economic pros and cons of relying on them.

Explore More: The Future of Energy
The energy segment from Iowa Public Television’s multimedia Explore More project is a comprehensive examination of the topic, giving profiles of eight energy sources, experts’ viewpoints, many teaching tools, and opportunities for students to express their opinions.

Energy in-Depth: Timeline
From the Explore More web site, this timeline highlights important events in the formation, discovery, and uses of each energy source—from 4,300,000 B.C.E. to the 21st century.

Energy Story
A feature of the California Energy Commission’s Energy Quest, this site offers 20 chapters of information about energy sources, from fossils to wind currents. The site also provides science projects, games, and links to dozens of online resources.

What Is Energy?
The Kid’s Page from the federal Energy Information Administration web site offers information on renewable and nonrenewable energy, puzzles (including sudoku), science fair projects, and more for teachers and students.

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