This four-part primer is designed to: (1) help Minnesota teachers acquire some familiarity with basic energy structure and language; (2) provide a capsule summary of Minnesota's energy picture; and (3) demonstrate that it is relatively easy to participate in energy education. Part 1 discusses: the fossil fuel age; kinds and forms of energy; energy units; energy efficiency (applying the rules of energy transformation); net energy; convection, conduction, and radiation; and exponential growth. Parts 2, 3, and 4 examine Minnesota's energy picture. Part 2 discusses coal, natural gas, petroleum, propane, electricity, and nuclear energy. Part 3 considers Minnesota's opportunities for energy conservation. Part 4 examines alternative energy sources and district heating and cogeneration. The alternative sources discussed include solar power (active and passive thermal, photovoltaic electric, thermal electric, and chemical fuel), hydro power, wind power, and biomass. Part 4 also considers two equity issues related to people and states and provides a short list of questions to help teachers and students in learning about energy. (JN)