This study investigated 8th grade students’ understandings of energy resource
and associated issues including energy acquisition, energy generation, storage and
transport, and energy consumption and conservation. A 39 multiple-choice item energy
knowledge instrument was developed that aligned to benchmark ideas about energy
resources. The assessment was completed by 1,043 eighth grade students in urban school
districts in two northeast cities in the United States. Total score reliability (Cronbach
alpha) for the assessment was .776. Mean scores for the entire assessment measure
indicated low conceptual energy knowledge of the 8th grade students. Subscale means
revealed that student understandings of energy resource acquisition, energy generation,
storage and transport, and energy consumption and conservation are not satisfactory.
Distractor analysis identified many misunderstandings that 8th grade students hold with
regards to energy resources. Findings revealed that students did not have a sound
knowledge and understanding of basic scientific energy resources facts, issues related to
energy sources and resources, general trends in the U.S. energy resource supply and use,
and the impact energy resource development and use can have on society and the
environment. Curriculum recommendations are discussed.