ENERGY SAVERS
Lesson and activity ideas
Energy and saving energy
Science
Students to discuss the following questions with a partner, then report any interesting
comments to the class:
• What is energy and how is it used?
• What are the different types of energy?
• Where does energy come from?
• How do we use energy in our daily lives?
Students to research the many forms of energy (e.g. light, heat, sound, radio waves, X-rays,
nuclear) and display pictures and information about them around the classroom.
Students to conduct experiments on kinetic and/or potential energy, using rubber bands,
springs, catapults, pull-along toys etc. Students to record their findings in their science books.
Students to use the ‘Appliance audit’ activity sheet to gather information about the appliances
they use at home.
Students to use recycled and readily-available materials (cardboard, egg cartons, polystyrene
etc.) to construct a model of their own house. The model should include any existing energy
smart features (such as solar panels, eaves, lights with timers etc.), as well as some extra
improvements. Students to label their model and present it to the class.
Students to use the ‘Find the facts’ activity sheet to discover the facts about some common
energy myths.
As a class, students brainstorm a list of appliances in their homes that use standby power.
Students to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of leaving appliances on standby. Present
the brainstorm information on a class poster.
Students to investigate energy transformation (the process of changing energy from one form
to another) e.g. a toaster uses electrical, mechanical and thermal energy. Students to choose one
appliance and describe, or draw a diagram of, the energy transformation involved in powering
the appliance.
Students to use the ‘Energy investigation’ activity sheet to record questions and answers about
energy.
Students to participate in a game of ‘Energy snap’. Print, laminate and cut out the snap cards
(cards can be found with the student activity sheets) then match high energy use activities/
products with low energy alternatives (e.g. an electric toothbrush with a manual toothbrush).
There are also blank cards provided for students to add extra ideas.
Students to complete the ‘Energy detectives’ activity sheet to discover how far different
products travel from manufacturer or grower to the shop.
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ENERGY SAVERS
Lesson and activity ideas
Mathematics
Students to complete the ‘Energy calculations’ activity sheet to learn more about energy
conversion and how to calculate electricity usage.
Students to investigate their energy consumption by collecting data from home. Students to
graph their own results and show ways they could be energy smart around the home.
As a homework task, students to analyse the graph/s printed on their last one or two electricity
bills. Encourage students to look for patterns and consider reasons for energy use increases and
fluctuations.
Students to enquire with their local council or library about borrowing an energy measurement
device to investigate and record the energy consumption of various appliances in their
classroom.
English
Students to research the different meanings of the word ‘energy’. Students to create a mind map
with ‘energy’ as the title.
Students to add to a word wall titled, ‘Energy and Energy Saving’.
Students to prepare and perform a rap or rhyme about different uses of energy.
Students to write an article about different types of energy that could be published in the school
newsletter or local paper.
Invite an energy expert to speak to your class or at assembly. Students to devise some questions
to ask and write a recount about the experience.
Students to write a narrative titled, ‘A day in the life of a gas particle’. Students to write about
where the gas comes from, how it is extracted and how it is transferred to where it is needed for
power.
Students to write an information report about how fossil fuels form. What are the processes
involved in extracting and turning it into energy?
Students to create a board game based on energy management, devising their own game rules,
game cards and instructions. (A printable board game template with cards can be found with
the student activity sheets.)
Students to investigate the power of batteries using simple circuits, torches or other batterypowered devices. Students to write a procedure on how to assemble simple circuits.
Students to use the terms ‘conduction’, ‘convection’, ‘radiation’ and ‘absorption’ to describe
heating and cooling effects. Students to find dictionary meanings for each and record them in
their science books. Students to add new terms and meanings as they discover them.
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ENERGY SAVERS
Lesson and activity ideas
History
Students to investigate how human energy has been used through the ages. Are some forms still
used today? How and why? Discuss.
Students to research the origin and history of the word ‘energy’.
The Arts
Students to produce an animated video to teach younger children how electricity is made.
Students to make badges, t-shirts, postage stamps, postcards or posters highlight the different
types of energy generation.
In groups, students to make banners about being energy smart to display around the school.
Students to create a cartoon based on how to conserve energy, incorporating Energy Bob.
Students to create and perform a play that provides several energy smart ideas.
Students to make small posters to display near light switches to remind people to turn them off
when they leave the room.
Health and Physical Education
Students to use sport or play equipment (swings, see-saws, slides, balls, bats etc.) to
demonstrate the principles of kinetic and potential energy. Produce a table to record their
findings.
Students to research how our bodies convert food to energy and how this differs for different
food types (e.g. carbohydrates, proteins, fats). Discuss why we need a balanced, healthy diet.
Students to observe any safety tags that they find on electrical appliances such as a power
board. What messages of caution are apparent? Students to prepare a poster and presentation
for their peers about how to use various electrical appliances safely.
LOTE / Languages
Students to discover the universal symbol for electricity. What does it look like and why? What
are some other universal symbols?
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