Activity Introduction
Quick summary: In this lesson students synthesise what they have learnt about energy and develop a class or school program that will help reduce the amount of energy used. Students will work in groups to select an action that is important to them, then brainstorm an idea for making this action happen. Next, they collaboratively plan a project based on their idea and then execute this plan. Finally, students are asked to reflect upon the success of their project and their role in creating and executing the project.
Essential questions:
- How can we reduce the amount of energy being used in our classroom or at our school?
- How can we plan and design a class or school energy saving plan?
- How can we share what we have learnt about energy and reducing energy use with the school and wider community?
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions: This lesson can be integrated into a number of subject areas as the focus is on developing the Cross-curriculum priorities and General capabilities of the Australian Curriculum and 21st century skills.
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.6, OI.8.
General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Literacy, Personal and social capability.
Topic: Energy
Time required: 120 mins +
Level of teacher scaffolding: Assist students to focus their ideas, assist communication between students and appropriate school leadership team.
Resources required: Student Worksheet – one copy per student OR computers/tablets to access the online worksheet. Device capable of presenting a website to the class. One printed copy of Project Planning Tool for each group. Project checklist. Butcher’s paper and pens/pencils, online stopwatch.
Digital technology opportunities: Digital sharing capabilities.
Keywords: Energy, electricity, school, save, plan, action.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
Teacher preparation