Using Home Energy Project in the classroom

Using Home Energy Project in the classroom Here are some examples of how schools are using the resource.


Keep visiting as we will continually change the stories to provide more examples of how HEP is being used in the classrooms.

A cross–curricula approach

Science teacher, Vera Dunaiski has shown her Year 8 science students at St Francis de Sales College (SA) that science and maths can save a lot of money and help the environment.

Vera coordinated with the maths department to develop a unit of work on energy using the Home Energy Project. In science, students learnt about renewable energy technology, calculated their household energy use and developed energy efficiency tips.

In maths, students determined the most energy efficient building design and drew scale diagrams of an energy efficient house. Students then built their designs and tested the house models using a heat probe attached to a graphics calculator and heat lamp.
St Francis de Sales College (SA)

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Primary students get involved

The Home Energy Project is being successfully adapted by many teachers for use in primary schools.

Kay Gilmore, teacher at Glen Osmond Primary School, Myrtle Bank (SA), found the Home Energy Project flexible and provided direct links to her Year 6 and 7 curricula. Best of all, it motivated her students.

After attending a PD session, Kay implemented the resource into her classroom.

“I used the resource because it provided an excellent starting point to explore energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. It also provided a great link to our school’s focus of ‘taking care of the environment’.”

“Students developed an energy efficiency plan which looked at achieving behavioural changes that would benefit our school and homes. Students then celebrated their learning at a school assembly by communicating energy saving ideas and teaching both teachers and students how easy it is to make small positive changes."

“Using the Home Energy Project helped me teach students an important topic. I would recommend this resource to other teachers, especially primary teachers,” said Kay.
Glen Osmond Primary School (SA)

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Learning outside the classroom

Gary Morton, science teacher at Mornington Secondary College (VIC), ran a special program for Year 9 students. The life program takes students out of the classroom for a term to learn about issues such as human impacts on the natural environment

“I used the Home Energy Project as part of the program as it fitted in nicely with my objectives and was really flexible,” Gary said. “I was able to pick and choose what I needed and didn’t have to search far and wide for further information."

“Students conducted energy audits and entered their results into the calculator. They found that significant savings could be achieved by simple changes to routines. Some households saved as much as $20 a month.”

The students then communicated their results to the class and went on to make poster presentations. “They really enjoyed presenting their findings and comparing results,” Gary said.
Mornington Secondary College (VIC)

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Whole community benefits

Students from the Moyne Innovation and Excellence Cluster (VIC) celebrated World Environment Day at Hawkesdale P – 12 College through a student sustainability conference.

Using the Home Energy Project, teachers Britt Gow from Hawkesdale P-12 College and Bob Beekhof from Port Fairy Consolidated School, together with their students, conducted household appliance audits and investigated renewable energy technologies.

Based on their learnings, they completed a PowerPoint presentation for the conference about renewable and non-renewable energy and produced a short play based on a television news show highlighting the need to save energy at home and within the community.

“The Home Energy Project and Awards enables students to involve their families and relate their knowledge to households, their school and community,” Britt said.
Hawkesdale P-12 Consolidated School (VIC)

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Learning to save

Using the Home Energy Project, teacher Carol Clarke from Rochester Secondary College (VIC), showed students how big energy savings can be achieved through efficient housing design.

Year 8 SOSE students have been using their research and investigative skills to build and test energy efficient model houses. Students compared efficient and inefficient designs and then built models based on energy efficient principles.

“The students learnt about the types and effects of insulation, lighting and heating and built models that included best practice ideas for reducing energy use,” Carol said.

Students also looked at ways to save energy through simple behavioral changes. “They learnt that turning off lights, having shorter showers and using the computer and TV less could have big impacts on reducing household energy use, saving both money and the environment.”

“The Home Energy Project is great. It’s hands-on, fun and encourages students to think more about saving energy. It’s very rewarding teaching students how to save energy, as the content positively engages them and makes them really think about their impact on the environment,” Carol said.
Rochester Secondary College (VIC)

How are you using HEP?

Tell us what your students are doing by calling 1800 659 511 or emailing order@ei.com.au. We'd love to hear about your school's achievements.

 

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