Energy Sources and Uses Flow Charts

Notes from our reviewers

The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials.

• Teaching Tips
  Flow charts provide a good perspective on how dependent the US is on fossil fuels to power commerce, industry, and transportation. Educator should make sure students understand how the flow charts work, how energy is being created and used in each box, and what 'rejected energy' is. Quad units are not explained and are complicated - educators need to clarify this to students. Flow charts could be an important part of a lesson on energy use and waste in the United States.
• About the Science
  It is striking to note the large amount of 'rejected energy' or energy wasted due to inefficiencies in energy generation and internal combustion in transportation. Comments from expert scientist: The information provided is regarded as highly reliable scientifically. The information is regularly used in energy policy and scientific study. There is no significant educational activity associated with this web site. The web site merely displays charts for the past several years and provides a report with similar information on the state level.
• About the Pedagogy
  Educator can very quickly see where our energy originates, where it is used, and how that has changed, or not, over the interval displayed. The data is presented in an appealing format, which will be engaging for students. Some terminology may need explaining, such as 'rejected energy'.
• Technical Details/Ease of Use
  The graphics are high quality and the visualization can be downloaded or viewed online. The quality is best if downloaded as a pdf. Each flow chart can be enlarged by clicking on the chart.