Investigating The Energy-efficiency Of Lighting In Our School

Intended Learning Outcomes

The students will be able to:

identify different types of light bulbs/lighting tubes and discuss the different purposes of various kinds of lighting and their energy efficiencies
conduct a survey of school lighting resources and lighting practices
identify changes that could be made to school lighting and/or the use of lighting to increase energy efficiency and reduce the cost of lighting
prepare a case for changes in lighting or lighting use and present this to the Principal.

Teaching Rationales

The students conduct a survey of how lighting is used in their school and identify areas where the school lighting and/or the use of lighting could be changed to increase energy-efficiency and reduce the cost of the lighting.

The students may develop and present a case to the Principal or Board of Trustees that suggests a lighting improvement that will result in increased energy-efficiency and a reduction in the cost of lighting.

Learning Areas, Strands, Achievement Objectives

3 - 4	Science	Physical World Physical inquiry and physics concepts Students will explore, describe and represent patterns and trends for everyday examples of physical phenomena, such as movement, forces, electricity and magnetism, light, sound, waves, and heat. Nature of Science Participating and contributing Students will use their growing science knowledge when considering issues of concern to them. Students will explore various aspects of an issue and make decisions about possible actions. Investigating in science Students will build on prior experiences, working together to share and examine their own and others' knowledge. Students will ask questions, find evidence, explore simple models, and carry out appropriate investigations to develop simple explanations.
3	Technology	Technological Knowledge Technological products Students will understand the relationship between the material used and their performance properties in technological products. Nature of Technology Characteristics of technology Students will understand how society and environments impact on and are influenced by technology in historical and contemporary contexts and that technical knowledge is validated by successful function.
4	English	Speaking, Writing, and Presenting Purposes and audience Students will show an increasing understanding of how texts are shaped for different purposes and audiences.

Activity-specific Achievement Objectives

3 - 4	Science	Physical World Physical inquiry and physics concepts Students will identify and describe the light bulbs/tubes in use in the school. Nature of Science Participating and contributing and Investigating in science Students will carry out investigations to explore the current use of lighting in the school and suggest improvements that will result in increased energy-efficiency. Students will explore options, make decisions and present suggestions to improve the energy-efficiency of lighting in the school.
3	Technology	Technological Knowledge Technological products Students will understand the relationship between the materials used in light bulbs and tubes and their performance. Nature of Technology Characteristics of technology Students will understand how the use of improved technology can impact on society and environment.
4	English	Speaking, Writing, and Presenting Purposes and audience Students will show an increasing understanding of how texts are shaped for different purposes and audiences when they present a case to the Principal for an improvement that will increase the energy-efficiency of lighting in the school.