Contextualization

Energy is the fuel that drives the world, it is responsible for powering a variety of devices, systems, and structures that we use in our daily lives. From our smartphones to large industries, energy is essential for the functioning of modern society. In this scenario, it is important to understand what the sources of this energy are and how they are classified.

Energy sources can be divided into two main groups: renewable and non-renewable. Renewable energies are those that can be replenished by nature itself in a short period of time, such as solar, wind, and hydro energy. On the other hand, non-renewable energies are those that are found in limited quantities in nature and, once consumed, take thousands of years to be replenished, such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

Understanding these two types of energy is crucial for the sustainability of our planet. Non-renewable energies, despite being more stable and powerful sources, have a high pollution potential and contribute significantly to global warming. On the other hand, renewables, even though they are still in development and present some challenges, are cleaner and more sustainable alternatives.

The relevance of studying and understanding these concepts grows even more, as we are in a critical moment where the need for clean and sustainable energy alternatives is becoming increasingly present. We must then understand, discuss, and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each type of energy, their real-world applications, and how they can impact our future.

Now I invite you to embark on this learning journey, where we will deepen our knowledge about renewable and non-renewable energies. With the help of reliable sources, we will discuss, analyze, and redefine our understanding of this issue.

I suggest the following resources to start our journey:

• How it works: Renewable Energy - Superinteressante
• What are renewable and non-renewable energies? - Mundo Educação
• Non-renewable energies - Brasil Escola
• What is energy? - Manual do Mundo (video)

Practical Activity: Energy in Action!

Project Objective

This project aims to deepen students' knowledge about renewable and non-renewable energies. Through a practical activity, students will be able to understand how each type of energy works, their advantages and disadvantages, and the importance of conscientious use of these energy sources.

Detailed Project Description

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 members. Each group will be responsible for creating a functional model representing a renewable and a non-renewable energy source. Additionally, they must conduct in-depth research on the chosen sources, reporting their characteristics, real-world applications, advantages, and disadvantages.

Required Materials

The materials needed to complete this project will vary depending on the energy sources chosen by the groups. However, here are some common materials that may be useful:

• Cardboard, paper, plastic, wood, and other materials for building the models
• Glue, tape, scissors, pens, markers, and other office supplies
• Small motors, light bulbs, wires, batteries, and other electrical components

Project Steps

1. Research Execution: Students should start by identifying and researching renewable and non-renewable energy sources. They should seek to understand how each energy source works, its advantages and disadvantages, and its real-world applications.

2. Model Design: After the research, each group should design a model representing each of the chosen energy sources. They should create a detailed sketch of the model, noting the necessary materials and how the model will demonstrate energy generation.

3. Model Construction: Using the design, students must build their models. They should ensure that each model clearly demonstrates how energy is generated from the respective source.

4. Model Presentations: Each group will present their models to the class, explaining how they work, the principles of the energy source represented, and the results of their research.

5. Evaluation: At the end of the presentations, there will be a classroom discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of each type of energy, and the importance of rational use of energy sources.

Project Delivery and Final Report

In addition to presenting the models, each group must write a detailed report on the project. This report should include:

1. Introduction: The student should contextualize the theme, explain the relevance of renewable and non-renewable energy sources in the real world, and the project's objective.

2. Development: The student should explain the theory behind each energy source represented by the models, describe in detail the construction of the models, present the research methodology used, and discuss the results obtained.

3. Conclusion: The student should summarize the main points of the work, explain the learnings obtained, and draw conclusions about the project.

4. Bibliography: The student should indicate all research sources used for the project, such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

The report will be used to assess students' understanding of the studied energy sources, the depth of the research conducted, the quality of the model construction, and the ability to work in a team.