The World’s Economy is Powered by Reliable Energy  

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Explain how reliable energy supply supports economic productivity and stability. 
• Describe the relationship between energy reliability and global trade, manufacturing, and services. 
• Analyze real-world examples where energy disruptions affected the economy. 
• Connect how reliable energy impacts their own family’s daily financial and lifestyle choices. 

Key Concepts

• Reliable Energy: Power that is available 24/7 — electricity, fuel, or natural gas that doesn’t fluctuate wildly in availability or price. 
• Economic Output: The goods and services produced by a country’s industries — powered by energy. 
• Supply Chain: The network that produces and moves goods around the world — all of which relies on steady energy. 
• Energy Shock: A sudden rise or shortage in energy supply that disrupts production and 

Part 1: Real Life Examples of When Nations Face Unreliable Energy Crises 

Watch: Global Example

When Europe faced natural gas shortages in 2022, fertilizer factories, steel plants, and manufacturing lines shut down — raising prices worldwide.  

Post-Viewing Questions – Use these questions to assess your understanding of the video’s key points and  to help reinforce your understanding of the main messages. 

 Watch: US Example

Texas 2021 winter storm showed how unreliable power ripples through water systems, food supply, and emergency services. 

Post-Viewing Questions – Use these questions to assess your understanding of the video’s key points and  to help reinforce your understanding of the main messages. 

Part 2: You’re the Reporter. Search It Up: Independent Research 

Instructions

Search up the following prompts on the internet. In your notebook, write 2-3 brief sentences on each one of the prompts. Then, report your findings to your family. 

Prompts 

• What technologies or policies help nations maintain reliability? 
• How much energy does it take to make one iPhone, one ton of steel, or one airplane flight? 
• Which countries are most energy-reliable — and how do their economies rank globally? 

Part 3:  Family Activity: “The Power Chain Game” 

Purpose

To help families personally experience how energy reliability affects every link in the economy — from production to paycheck — in a relatable, fun way. 

Materials Needed

• Index cards or paper slips 
• A pen or marker 
• A kitchen timer or phone stopwatch 
• (Optional) Flashlight or candle for “power outage” simulation 

Directions

Step 1: Role Assignment

Have each one of your family members become a link in the economy. Family members can hold multiple roles if needed. 

• Energy Supplier (provides electricity/fuel) 
• Factory Worker (makes products) 
• Truck Driver (transports goods) 
• Grocery Store Owner (sells goods) 
• Consumer (buys goods) 
• Hospital or School (provides services) 

Step 2: Run the “Reliable Energy Round”  

• The Energy Supplier provides steady “power” (just say “Power ON!” each round). 
• Each role completes their task: 
• Factory Worker “produces” by stacking cards. 
• Truck Driver moves them to the “store.” 
• Store Owner “sells” to the Consumer. 
• Hospital “treats” one patient per round. 
• Everything runs smoothly. Time how long it takes to complete the full chain. 

Step 3: Run the “Unreliable Energy Round” 

Now simulate power problems: 

• Energy Supplier randomly calls out “Power OFF!” for 10–15 seconds. 
• During those times, no one can act — all production and delivery stop. 
• After several interruptions, count how many goods made it to the consumer. 

Compare: 

• How much slower was the economy? 
• How did it affect “jobs,” “income,” and “services”? 
• Who lost the most when energy stopped? 

Step 4: Follow-up Family Discussion 

Prompt reflection questions: 

1. What did you notice about how everything depends on reliable energy? 
2. Who was affected the most when the power failed? 
3. How would unreliable energy affect real jobs, prices, and global trade? 
4. What kinds of energy sources or systems make reliability stronger? 
5. How can families or communities prepare for or prevent energy disruptions? 

Part 4: Exit Ticket — Lesson 2 Quiz:  The World’s Economy is Powered by Reliable Energy