Although energy is fundamental to our civilization, few high school students have a clear picture of what happens when they use it. To become informed citizens and decision makers, every high school student must understand how we generate electrical energy. Working through the series of inexpensive, hands-on activities presented in this article, students learn what energy is and get the big picture of how it is generated. After the activities, the study can go in multiple directions. For example, Earth science or biology teachers may continue with a lesson on global climate change and how we can increase the use of wind and solar energy for a more sustainable future. Chemistry or physics teachers may continue with the laws of thermodynamics, which are superbly demonstrated by the heat engine. No matter where teachers take this lesson from here, the activity will help students truly understand the concepts of energy.