Climate Education
Earth’s Secret Energy: Geothermal!
November 20, 2024
Guide for Middle Schoolers
If you are an educator and want to join the EARTHDAY.ORG network, consider supporting our mission to put climate education into every single classroom around the world and please utilize these free resources on climate education and why it matters here.
If you are a teacher in the K – 12 grades please consider utilizing our free guide, The School Guide to Teaching Climate Education, because you can never start teaching students about climate change early enough!
Now let’s crank up the heat with Geothermal!
What is Geothermal Energy? Geothermal energy is a type of renewable energy that comes from the heat inside the Earth. The word “geothermal” means “Earth’s heat,” with “geo” meaning earth and “thermal” meaning heat. The Earth gets really hot—about 1,000°C near the crust and even hotter as you go deeper! This natural heat can be used to generate electricity and power our homes and schools.
Why is Geothermal Energy Good for the Planet?
Geothermal energy is great for our planet for several reasons:
- Cleaner Air: It produces very little pollution or greenhouse gasses (GHG). This helps keep our air clean and it is important for fighting climate change, which is when the Earth gets warmer and causes problems for our environment.
- Always Available: Geothermal energy is renewable, meaning we can keep using it without it ever running out, unlike the fossil fuels of oil, gas and coal. The Earth’s heat will always be there!
- Reliable Energy: Geothermal energy provides a steady supply of power, even when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing. This helps keep our lights on!
- Local Jobs: Using geothermal energy helps create jobs in local communities, so people can work and support their families.
By using geothermal energy, we can meet our energy needs while also taking care of our planet for the future!
The Ring of Fire
A special place to find geothermal energy is called the Ring of Fire. This is a big area that circles the Pacific Ocean and is known for having many volcanoes and earthquakes. It’s like a giant ring made of several pieces of the Earth’s surface that fit together, called tectonic plates.
When these tectonic plates meet, they can create cracks in the Earth, letting us access the heat inside. The Pacific Ring of Fire is a part of this area and is famous for its volcanoes, which provide a lot of underground heat.
Countries like the Philippines and Indonesia are great at using this geothermal energy because they have many volcanoes that help produce it.
Geothermal Energy in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia has a lot of geothermal energy—about 25% of the world’s total! Most of this energy comes from the Philippines and Indonesia.
One way this works is through geothermal heat pump systems. In winter, these systems pull warmth from the ground to heat buildings, and in summer, they do the opposite.
This energy helps these countries have a strong supply of electricity and build better roads, schools, and other important things. For example, the Philippines gets about 12% of its energy from geothermal sources and plans to double that by 2040!
How Geothermal Energy Powers Schools in the US too!
Geothermal energy is also making a difference in schools around the world! Here are some exciting examples:
- Carleton College in Northern Minnesota uses geothermal heat pump systems. They expect to reduce their energy use from fossil fuels by 40% as a result, which means lower bills and more money for student activities!
- Davis School District in Utah has implemented geothermal systems in several of their schools. These systems help save about $1 million a year in energy costs! That money can be spent on new books and sports equipment.
- Texas A&M University has also gone green with geothermal technology. Their systems help reduce energy use and provide hands-on learning opportunities for students studying renewable energy.
Globally, a small percentage of schools are using geothermal energy right now, but this number is growing! Many countries are starting to realize the benefits, and with more awareness, we can see even more schools switching to this clean energy source.
Learning About Green Energy
Schools can use geothermal systems to save money but also to teach students about renewable energy technologies. This approach has worked well with solar energy. In fact, as of recent reports, about 7% of schools in the U.S. use solar energy to power their facilities. This percentage is growing rapidly as more schools recognize the benefits of renewable energy.
Globally, the adoption of solar energy in schools varies by region, but recent estimates suggest that thousands upon thousands use solar power. This includes significant numbers in countries like India, where many rural schools benefit from solar installations
By using renewable energy in schools, students gain valuable knowledge about energy conservation and sustainability. Schools that integrate solar energy not only save on energy bills but also create hands-on learning opportunities, helping students understand how clean energy works and why it’s important for the environment.
The Future is Green!
Imagine a future where students learn how to harness the Earth’s heat, design solar panels, or build wind turbines. These lessons can empower young minds to innovate and tackle the challenges of climate change and consider a job in the green economy.
With hands-on experiences in renewable technologies, students will not only be prepared for exciting careers but also become stewards of the environment.
Investing in education today means a brighter, cleaner tomorrow for all. Together, we can lead the way toward a more sustainable world!
If you are a student and want to learn more about the other renewable energy sources you can here in The Middle Schoolers Guide to Renewable Energy and consider exploring these books:
The Boy Who Harnessed Wind, Young Reader’s Edition by William Kamkwamba, Bryan Mealer, best for ages 8 to 12
The book takes place in a place where resources are limited. Following the main character, readers experience courage, hope, and resiliency, that comes with determination and ingenuity.
Planet Power: Explore the World’s Renewable Energy by Stacy P. Clark, best for ages 8 to 12
What is renewable energy? Clark discusses wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and biomass energy—in a way that is both accessible and exciting.
Solar Story by by Allan Drummond, best for ages 4 to 8
This book is based on the origin story of a solar installation in Toucan, Mali. This follows the changes of solar on a community.
Charged: A History of Batteries and Lessons for a Clean Energy Future by James Morton Turner, best for ages 12 to 16
James Turner discusses the extraction of raw materials like lithium and cobalt, the environmental costs of battery production, and the broad scaling of supply chains. He emphasizes the need for sustainable practices in battery innovation. Furthermore, the need for sustainable technologies to meet the demand for electricity.
