Activity Introduction

Quick summary: Students critically examine the quality of internet information about energy saving devices, equipment, white goods, cars etc.  They will present their findings to the class.

Learning goals for this activity include:

  • Understanding that consumers can find it difficult to choose energy saving goods once they have decided they want to purchase them.
  • Students refining their research skills with the aim to locate the best energy saving product.
  • Students communicate research results.

Australian National Mapping 

Content descriptions:

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)
  • Plan, draft and publish imaginative, informative and persuasive texts, selecting aspects of subjectmatter and particular language, visual, and audio features to convey information and ideas (ACELY1725)

Year 7 Science

  • 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 (ACSHE120)

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)
  • Create imaginative, informative and persuasive texts that raise issues, report events and advance opinions, using deliberate language and textual choices, and including digital elements as appropriate (ACELY1736)

Year 8 Science

  • 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)

Syllabus Outcomes: EN4-2A, EN4-3B. EN4-4B. 

Topic: Energy

Year levels: 7 and 8

Indoor or outdoor activity: Indoor

Time required: 40 mins

Learning areas addressed: English, Science, ICT.

Resources required: Access to the internet.

Homework and extension opportunities: This activity includes opportunities for extension.

Keywords: Energy, quality information, research, energy reduction.

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

There are many helpful government websites that explain various ways to save energy. But when it comes to what we can buy, the government websites don't tell us what brands to look at, but to research carefully to make sure we purchase a good product. To avoid 'green washing' it is important for the consumer to undertake independent research and examine a variety of sources.

Step 1: Conduct a quick class brainstorm about our research question.

Research Question: Do you need to be an expert to be able to choose an energy efficient, energy saving or energy producing product?

They could look at a number of suppliers and answer the following questions for each:

1. Is there a consumer body that can help make choices about products?

2. Do suppliers provide a price that is similar to prices provided by other suppliers?

3. Can you understand what they are supplying or are you confused?

4. Are the products supplied close enough to you to provide any service eg instal

...
 
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Student Worksheet

Introduction

There are many helpful government websites that explain various ways to save energy. But when it comes to what we can buy, the government websites don't tell us what brands to look at, but to research carefully to make sure we purchase a good product. To avoid 'green washing' it is important for the consumer to undertake independent research and examine a variety of sources. Your group will answer the research question below by finding out information about a specific energy product.

Research Question: Do you need to be an expert to be able to choose an energy efficient, energy saving or energy producing product?

 My groups product is: 

 

Questions

Question

Answer
1. Is there a consumer body that can help make choices about products?

2. Do suppliers provide a price that is similar to prices provided by other suppliers?

3. Can you understand what they are supplying or are you confused?

4. Are the produ
...
 
- or - to view worksheets

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