Activity Introduction

Quick summary: Students draw conclusions about different energy futures. Students explore many type of energy that could be used as environmentally friendly alternatives to coal.

Learning goals for this activity include:

  • Recognise the role of energy and understand that the methods used for sourcing it are going to have a major influence on our future.
  • Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively in a creative manner to complete activity.
  • Communicate effectively in an oral presentation.
  • Demonstrate the ability to research and compile information on issues, and to communicate lessons from research through art or literacy activities (extension).

Australian Curriculum Mapping 

Content descriptions:

Year 7 Science

  • Some of Earth’s resources are renewable, but others are non-renewable (ACSSU116)
  • Communicate ideas, findings and solutions to problems using scientific language and representations using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS133)

Year 7 English

  • Use comprehension strategies to interpret, analyse and synthesise ideas and information, critiquing ideas and issues from a variety of textual sources (ACELY1723)

Year 8 Science

  • Communicate ideas, findings and solutions to problems using scientific language and representations using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS148)

Year 8 English

  • Analyse and evaluate the ways that text structures and language features vary according to the purpose of the text and the ways that referenced sources add authority to a text (ACELY1732)

Syllabus Outcomes: EN4-2A, EN4-3B, SC4-9WS, SC4-12ES. 

Topic: Energy

Year levels: 7 and 8

Indoor or outdoor activity: Indoor

Time required: 45 mins

Learning areas addressed: Geography, Science

Level of teacher scaffolding: Lead students in class discussion around their imagined energy sources.

Resources required: Art and writing materials, Internet and library access, printed worksheet.

Homework and extension opportunities: This activity has opportunities for extension or homework.

Keywords: Energy, energy futures, conclusion.

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Teacher preparation

As a class, discuss the three options provided below. Students may want to modify the options or even add more options.

The options are:

1. Business as usual without reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. This option needs to take into account the fact that the demand for oil can’t meet supply so other fossil fuel options will need to replace oil.

2. Dramatically reduce all our energy use.  Think back to how people lived 50 years ago  - imagine you had no computer, fridge, TV etc and compare this way of life with the life you are leading today. This future needs to find solutions to the billions of more people that now live on the Earth.

3. Replace our reliance on fossil fuel energy with alternative energy that produces little greenhouse gas and less pollution. This option needs to take into account the fact that we may not have the technology we need, and that some technologies require minerals that could run out.  

Different aspects of our future:
• Future

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Student Worksheet

Step 1: In your groups you are going to select one of the 'options for the future' from the list below.

The options for the future:

1. Business as usual without reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. This option needs to take into account the fact that the demand for oil can’t meet supply so other fossil fuel options will need to replace oil.

2. Dramatically reduce all our energy use.  Think back to how people lived 50 years ago  - imagine you had no computer, fridge, TV etc and compare this way of life with the life you are leading today. This future needs to find solutions to the billions of more people that now live on the Earth.

3. Replace our reliance on fossil fuel energy with alternative energy that produces little greenhouse gas and less pollution. This option needs to take into account the fact that we may not have the technology we need, and that some technologies require minerals that could run out.  

Step 2: Then you will select one of the different aspects to focus on

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