Elementary Lesson Plan (Grades 4–6)
Lesson Title
Who Can Charge an Electric Car?
Time Required
45–60 minutes
Learning Objectives
Students will:
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Understand what EV charging infrastructure is
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Identify why access to charging matters for fairness
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Recognize that communities are designed differently
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Practice thinking about inclusion in everyday systems
Key Concepts (Student-Friendly)
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Electric vehicles need electricity to work
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Charging stations are like gas stations for EVs
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Not everyone lives in the same kind of home
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Fair access means everyone can use something safely and easily
Lesson Introduction
Start by asking students how their families fuel their vehicles. Ask where gas stations are usually located. Then introduce electric vehicles and explain that they use charging stations instead of gas pumps. Explain that not everyone can charge an EV in the same way.
Classroom Activity: Community Charging Map
Give students a simple map of a neighborhood or let them draw one. Include houses, apartment buildings, schools, stores, and parks.
Ask students to:
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Choose places where EV chargers could go
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Explain why those locations make sense
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Think about people who might not have a driveway or garage
Students can label chargers with symbols or stickers.
Discussion Questions
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Why might someone in an apartment need public charging more than someone in a house?
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How could charging stations be unsafe or hard to use?
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What makes a place easy for everyone to access?
Optional Extension
Students design a “perfect charging station” and include lighting, signs, shelter, and nearby buildings.
