Culminating activity lesson 7– Levels 3–4

Task

Conduct a survey to determine the average levels of energy consumption in the home. Analyse data from the survey to create a plan to reduce energy usage in the future.

Outcomes:

SOSE:

• P.S. 3.3 Students create and undertake plans that aim to influence decisions about an element of a place.
• P.S. 4.3 Students participate in a field study to recommend the most effective ways to care for a place.

Introductory Activities

Students:

• initiate a discussion about rising fuel costs and draw into the discussion other energy costs to the average household - electricity, gas…;

• view the video – section dealing with conserving energy in the home;

• complete a class concept map on the blackboard to investigate the effects of these costs on the community;

• consider a plan to investigate these costs within the households represented in the class;

• conduct a survey of willing families to obtain data for analysis.

Developmental Activities

Students:

• check their family's budgets and collect information about average costs related to fuel and electricity usage;

• collate the data on a table and compare the results. Determine average usage, as well as any high or low figures;

• suggest reasons for high/low costs (swimming pools, air conditioning, etc);

• conduct a further survey to determine the frequency of usage of appliances such as television, computers, radios. Include use of lights as well;

• use resource sheets from Power for Sustainable Future Kit pp 24, 69–73 (Fact Sheet 12 – Activity 12.2), 81–97 (Fact Sheet 14 – Activity 16.1) to investigate conservation of energy in the home and community.

Culminating Activities

Students:

• work in pairs to discuss and draw conclusions about the way we use energy in the home and predict changes that could be made to conserve usage. Share ideas with the whole class;

• make a plan to reduce energy usage in their home, apply the plan over a set time (one month) and report back on the results;

• extension Idea: Students make a model of a home of the future that uses alternative energy sources and methods to conserve energy.

Resources

Student worksheets:

• Power For Sustainable Future Kit
  Dept. Mines and Energy pp 24, 69–73 (Fact Sheet 12 – Activity 12.2), 81–97 (Fact Sheet 14 – Activity 16.1)

CD Rom:

• Energy Smart Home Design
  Queensland Government Dept. Mines and Energy

Booklet:

• Energy Efficient Home Design
  Queensland Government Dept. Mines and Energy
• Remote Area Power Supply Systems Queensland
  Queensland Government Dept. Mines and Energy
  

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