Activity Introduction

Quick summary: In this activity students look at a range of energy resources and make assessments about their suitability for use in Australia in the context of climate change. Students begin by brainstorming energy resources and environmental impacts, and then work in groups to research one type of energy resource in detail. They present their findings to the class, and working as a class vote for their preferred future energy resources.

Learning goals:

  • Students understand that there are a range of energy resources.
  • Students recognise that energy can have significant impacts on our environment and can contribute to climate change and global warming.
  • Students understand that there are energy alternatives that have lower environmental and climate impacts.

General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking, Literacy, ICT capability.

Australian Curriculum content description:

Year 7 Science

  • Some of Earth’s resources are renewable, but others are non-renewable (ACSSU116)
  • Identify questions and problems that can be investigated scientifically and make predictions based on scientific knowledge (ACSIS124)
  • Communicate ideas, findings and solutions to problems using scientific language and representations using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS133)

Year 8 Science

  • Energy appears in different forms including movement (kinetic energy), heat and potential energy, and causes change within systems (ACSSU155)
  • Science and technology contribute to finding solutions to a range of contemporary issues; these solutions may impact on other areas of society and involve ethical considerations (ACSHE135)
  • Communicate ideas, findings and solutions to problems using scientific language and representations using digital technologies as appropriate (ACSIS148)

Syllabus Outcomes: SC4-11PW, SC4-4WS, SC4-9WS, SC4-12ES, SC4-10PW. 

Topic: Climate change

Time required: 60 mins

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – oversee and facilitate activity

Resources required: Internet access, student worksheet, black/smart board (optional).

Digital technology opportunities: Presentation tools (PowerPoint or Prezi or movie making program), mind-mapping tools (bubbl.us or mindmeister), digital sharing capabilities

Homework and extension opportunities: None.

Keywords: Energy, climate change, global warming, coal, gas, nuclear, wind, solar, geothermal, hydropower, biofuel.

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:

Overarching learning goal: Through this activity students understand that there are a range of energy resources. They begin to recognise that some of these energy sources can  have significant impacts on our environment and can contribute to climate change and global warming. Students will learn that there are energy alternatives that have lower environmental and climate impacts.

The IPCC

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change. It was created to:

  • provide policymakers (governments) with regular scientific updates about climate change;
  • highlight the impact climate change will have on the planet in the future; and,
  • offer some ideas about how to tackle the challenges of climate change's potential effects on the planet.

In 2021-22, the IPCC released their sixth assessment report. This is the most up-to-date physical understanding of the climate system and climate c

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Student Worksheet

Thought starter: How many different types of energy are there?

Which type of energy should Australia choose? Questions to guide your research:

1. What is the science and technology behind this resource?

How does this energy resource work?

What technology is used?

 

2. Is this energy resource renewable or non-renewable? Explain:

 

3. How is this energy resource used?

Is this energy source used in Australia? If so, how much? If not, why not?

 

4. What are the benefits or problems associated with this resource?

Are there any environmental, social or financial benefits of this resource? What are they?

 

Are there any environmental, social or financial problems associated with this resource? What are they?

 

5. What is the relationship between this energy resource and climate change?

Does this energy resource contribute to climate change? If so, how? If not, why not?

 

6. What do you think the future of this resource should be? Should it be expanded or sc

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