Science: Lesson 2 – Developmental sequence
What are the choices of energy sources in Australia? (Teachers)

Key ideas:

• There are two basic sources of energy on Earth: radiation from the sun and heat from nuclear reactions inside the earth.
• Energy sources available to Australians depend on the environment in which they live.

Introductory activity to engage

• a source is a thing or a place from which something comes;

• renewable energy is energy which is naturally occurring and which is theoretically inexhaustible such as sun or wind and which by definition excludes energy derived from fossil fuels or nuclear fuels;

• the meaning of energy source is to be decided by class.

Developmental activities to explore, explain, elaborate

Sources of energy are:

• nuclear fission or fusion, fossil fuels – coal, oil, gas;

• sun, wind, moving water;

• geothermal energy.

Culminating activities to reflect and evaluate

Students list sources of energy available in their community and issues that affect the decision-making process.

Extensions
Glossary: energy, energy source, fossil fuel, geothermal energy, nuclear fuel, solar energy.

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