Design

The 5Es teaching /learning model will be used as the framework in creating this inquiry-based interdisciplinary module. It is suggested that the module contain a unit of work (to be developed) which requires students to explore the importance of sustainable use of energy. Students may then implement a project that will review energy usage in the school, and then develop and implement strategies to reduce energy usage and to teach staff and in particular, students (and their households), practical but simple methods of becoming more sustainable.

Students’ project should allow both staff and students to see in real time the energy that is consumed around them and what practical measures can be taken to reduce energy demand. There is great potential for students and staff to learn about monitoring techniques and load and relate this to daily and annual consumption demand. Schools may wish to investigate and source inline electronic meters to record a number of facets of power consumption. It may also arise that some schools may seek to approach Country Energy to access an itemised, weekly electricity account. These issues may need further investigation. A project that is promoted with noticeable resources will have a stronger impact and make a positive difference to the reduction energy consumption.

Notes: Educational technologies such as the interactive whiteboard (IWB) have the potential to expand the dimensions of the primary science classroom and the way students experience learning and teaching (Warwick & Kershner, 2006). The project will promote the use of IWBs to include a range of multimedia resources such as written text, spreadsheets, graphical representations, pictures, diagrams, photos, video, and on-line websites into the teaching and learning activities.

Website design, development and maintenance to be the responsibility of Country Energy. Country Energy will utilise the education content from the Country Energy_CSU Curriculum Project for the purposes of creating an informative and interactive education experience online. This would be co-branded to acknowledge the efforts of CSU and REEC. The participating teachers will also be acknowledged. 