Tools for Teachers

The energy-use habits children develop when they are young will stay with them for the rest of their lives. So, teaching kids to use energy safely and wisely can have a positive impact—now and in the future. Are you looking for energy-related stories, hands-on activities, and research articles for your classroom? Here are some resources to get you started:

Fun Facts About Natural Gas:

Natural gas was formed deep under the earth about 100 million years ago.

There are more than 2.4 million miles of underground gas pipelines across the United States.

More than half of the homes in the United States use natural gas – that’s more than 177 million Americans.

In 200 B.C., people in China used natural gas to make salt.

In 1816, gas was first used to light street lamps in Baltimore, Maryland.

Natural gas is lighter than air.

Natural gas is colorless and odorless. Utility companies add the smell of rotten eggs to help make gas leaks easier to notice.

Natural gas is measured in British Thermal Units (Btus), which measures the heat content.

One kitchen match gives off about one Btu of heat. The burner on a big gas stove might give off more than 15,000 Btus.

When natural gas is cooled to 260 degrees below zero, it changes from a gas into a liquid.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration provides lesson plans for every age, ideas for science fair experiments and field trips, and fun ideas for teaching students about energy in the classroom.

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EIA also teaches the basics of how natural gas is formed and how it gets to your home and business.

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Safe Gas Maryland’s mascot “Sniffy the Skunk” takes kids through their interactive Kid’s Page for fun activities that teach about natural gas and propane.

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The Brain Pop Jr. website is an interactive site with videos, quizzes, games and information on natural resources and conservation.

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