Renewable Energy Resources Station Lab - MS

This student-led, modular station lab engages middle school students in applying scientific principles to design methods for monitoring and minimizing human impact on the environment. Through a mix of hands-on, digital, and written activities, students explore renewable resources while taking ownership of their learning. Teachers act as facilitators, providing guidance while students drive the process.

Note for Texas teachers: This resource aligns with the 2017 TEKS and will not be updated for the 2021 standards.

Structure & Differentiation

• Nine stations total: eight core activities plus one challenge station for early finishers or enrichment

• Differentiated to meet the needs of all learners, with scaffolds for students needing support and extensions for advanced learners

• Includes station signage, task cards, readings, and resources for independent or small-group work

• The Explore It! station may require a few simple classroom materials you likely already have on hand

Station Breakdown

Input Stations (building knowledge):

• Explore It! – Hands-on demonstration; digital version allows students to manipulate images and text in PowerPoint or Google Slides

• Read It! – Differentiated passages (English & Spanish) with comprehension and vocabulary checks

• Research It! – Online investigation using facts, images, and graphs with guided student questions

• Watch It! – Short video with comprehension prompts

Output Stations (demonstrating knowledge):

• Organize It! – Sorting and categorization activities with manipulatives or digital tools

• Illustrate It! – Drawing/sketching renewable resource models to reinforce retention

• Write It! – Short-answer prompts requiring complete-sentence responses

• Assess It! – Task cards and vocabulary-in-context activities to demonstrate mastery

Bonus Station:

• Challenge It! – Extension tasks such as crosswords, mini-projects, and games for early finishers or advanced learners

Flexible Implementation

This lab is fully adaptable for in-class and virtual instruction. All files are compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides, making them simple to use in blended or online classrooms.

This is a finished product; it will be updated with formatting or corrections as needed. Future improvements and new features will be sold as a separate product.