Curriculum: How energy moves from nature to your home

Students use electricity every day and often don’t stop to think about where the energy comes from, how it’s made, how it gets to their homes and schools, or what impact it might have on the environment. This educational video explains the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy sources. It then follows the journey of hydropower from a water drop falling as snow in the mountains to an energy watt traveling on an electricity superhighway to homes and schools. 

Additional image and video resources:

Activities for students

Bonneville Lock & Dam Visitor Center & Tour Information

BPA High Voltage Lab Tour Information 
Lab tours are projected to resume in spring of 2023. Please email Kelly Jorgenson, Tour Coordinator for more information. 

Projects

image of water cycle hexaflexagon

Water cycle 

thumbnail of hydropower cycle infographic

Pop-up model

image of boy doing weather activity

Weather matching 

Coloring Sheets

thumbnail of hydropower coloring sheet

River benefits

thumbnail of hydropower coloring sheet

Power at home 

Activity Books

Infographics and posters

hydropower system poster

How electricity moves from nature to your home

How do carbon emissions compare?

thumbnail of hydropower in the northwest infographic

Hydropower facts

hydropower system poster in spanish

Cómo se mueve la electricidad de la naturaleza a su casa

hydropower as a percentage of renewables

Where does our energy come from?

fuel mix graphic

Energy sources

Additional Resources

Northwest hydropower

Dam b-roll video library

Educator resources