The U.S. Department of Energy was formed in 1977.

President Jimmy Carter conceived of putting all energy-related agencies under one department in response to the energy crisis of the 1970s. On this day in 1977, he signed the legislation creating the U.S. Department of Energy, a cabinet level agency overseeing all matters of energy policy and run by the Secretary of Energy. The DOE sponsors scientific research to advance energy technology and encourage innovation, and is responsible for energy efficiency measures and domestic energy production, including alterative energy, nuclear energy and even nuclear weapons.
 

Xpeditions
The Great Energy Debate (9–12) explores the controversial issues surrounding the energy debate in the United States. Students research recent initiatives being taken in this area and analyze their implications.

Science NetLinks
Students use Internet resources to investigate renewable sources of energy in Renewable Energy Sources (6–8).

In Energy: The U.S. in Crisis (9–12) students study and assess past, present and future decisions related to energy shortages. They gain an understanding of the different trade-offs that are made at many levels, from personal to national, as people grapple with tough issues.

In Energy Sources and Use (3–5), students distinguish between renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy, investigate a variety of renewable energy resources and compare the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Just Turn It Off (K–2) helps students begin to understand their role as energy consumers. In the lesson, students probe the problem of what happens to a battery-operated flashlight when it is not turned off.

In Harnessing Solar Energy (6–8), students discover the properties of light (radiant) energy from the sun by experimenting with solar collectors, cookers and calculators.

EconEdLink
Be an Energy Saver (6–12) focuses on the scarce and nonrenewable nature of fossil fuels in order to stimulate student thinking about energy conservation. It emphasizes the fact that saving energy can be good for the wallet as well as the earth's future. Students use the federally mandated EnergyGuide labels to estimate the cost savings of energy-efficient home appliances.

In Fewer Watts and Fatter Wallets (9–12) students learn about incentives for alternative energy programs and the role played by non-price determinants in energy choices. Students also calculate the costs and benefits for an individual family to convert to alternative energy.

In Blowing in the Wind (9–12), students determine the feasibility of wind generation in different areas of the United States and examine the costs and benefits of wind energy.