Background

Society relies on energy to survive. Regardless of how it is generated, our ability to reduce our use of energy is vital as we move into the future.

Saving energy is the term used to mean reducing our use of energy. In this program students will investigate ways that society has developed to reduce our usage of energy including smart building design, utilization of renewable energy resources, use of low energy appliances and future energy efficiency options for transport.

Ecolinc is an Ecologically Sustainable Designed (ESD) facility. It has been designed to use less energy and water than a conventional building. Ecolinc uses air movement to keep the building cool in summer and uses the sun’s energy to heat air in winter using hotbox technology. North facing, double glazed windows enable natural light to enter the building so that Ecolinc rarely needs to turn any lights on. High thermal mass building materials assist in keeping the building at a comfortable temperature throughout the year.

Key Learning Question

What are the different ways we can save energy?

Learning Intentions

In this program students will:

• Learn how to use smart building design and energy efficient appliances to reduce our energy and water consumption
• Demonstrate how a simple solar house system works
• Investigate future options for the use of energy in transport

Activities

Students will:

• Investigate the energy saving features of the Ecolinc building
• Construct a solar photovoltaic house system and investigate conditions for its optimal performance
• Make and test Lego vehicles powered by renewable energy sources
• Test appliances to investigate their energy consumption and efficiency

Victorian Curriculum

Science – Science as a human endeavour

• Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to inform personal and community decisions and to solve problems that directly affect people’s lives (VCSSU073)

Science – Physical sciences

• Energy from a variety of sources can be used to generate electricity; electric circuits enable this energy to be transferred to another place and then to be transformed into another form of energy (VCSSU081)

Science – Planning and conducting

• With guidance, plan appropriate investigation types to answer questions or solve problems and use equipment, technologies and materials safely, identifying potential risks (VCSIS083)
• Decide which variables should be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests and accurately observe, measure and record data (VCSIS084)

Science – Analysing and evaluating

• Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations (VCSIS086)

Learning Continuum

The following Learning Continuum is a guide for teachers to show the links between the programs. Ecolinc offers onsite, online and through outreach. The Learning Continuum can be used to access Ecolinc resources to support the development of units of work.

Ecolinc Learn Online is an online learning management system offering interactive online courses for students and teachers. These courses can be undertaken either as a pre-visit, post-visit or stand-alone. Students are encouraged to do the pre-learning course before coming to Ecolinc for an onsite program.

Outreach programs are conducted by an Ecolinc education officer at your school. They are available to moderately disadvantaged primary schools in the Geelong, Ballarat and western suburbs areas (or within 100km radius from Bacchus Marsh).