Energy

Energy is the potential to do work. We use energy every day for cooking, heating, traveling and manufacturing. In our country, the electricity we use for much of our energy needs is generated from coal which is a non renewable resource and a fossil fuel. Burning fossil fuels release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which is one of the main greenhouse gases responsible for climate change.

In our energy room we look for solutions for this crisis. We need energy for cooking, heating, traveling and work, but can we use sources of energy that will put less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere? We explore renewable and clean energy sources like solar, wind, or water. We also explore ways of saving energy such as building energy efficient houses, using less energy for cooking, lighting and other household appliances. Much of the ways we use energy also cause indoor pollution which is bad for our health, so we look at ways of reducing indoor air pollution.

Programmes offered:
Grade 7: Using insulation to cut the cost of energy
Learning area: Natural Sciences, Life orientation, Technology

Can we reduce the amount of energy we use for cooking? The method that we investigate is insulation. What is a hotbox and how can you cook food using insulation? How much energy can we save by using this method? Learners do an experiment to see which materials are good insulators and also look at how you can save energy in the house by using insulation. We do a crossword puzzle to learn more about sources of energy and discuss which are renewable or non renewable. Through a little game, we learn that although we need the energy, the resources we use are not always healthy for us and the environment. So what can we do to save energy?

At the end of the day we open the hotbox: The rice is ready to eat and it only needed to on the stove for two minutes. Can you think of other recipes that we can use in this hotbox?

Grade 8: Cool living
Learning Areas: Natural Sciences

We start the day by looking at the sources of energy and what we use energy for in our everyday lives. Then we take learners on an energy hotspot tour in our garden where we trace different energy paths to their origin which is the sun. We explore how energy is transformed from one form to another. In our energy room we have a look at ways of using less energy for cooking, reducing indoor air pollution, using cleaner energy for household appliances, reducing energy for lighting, and building energy efficient houses. Learners are also faced with challenges and choices for a healthier environment.

Related sites:
The Greenhouse project:

www.greenhouse.org.za