Energy

The Energy theme allows students and the school community to address challenges related to renewable, fossil and nuclear energy. Other issues such as grey energy can also be explored.

ENERGY

Human beings depend on energy for all their activities and use a range of different sources, such as wood, oil, nuclear power, solar energy, etc. However, some sources are more efficient than others and have different effects on the environment.

Global energy consumption has increased 20 times since the beginning of the 20th century! It is estimated to increase by 2.5% every year. The rise in energy consumption also conceals profound inequalities, and there are significant discrepancies in both consumption and access to energy in different parts of the world.

Managing the increase in energy consumption and sharing it more evenly around the world, as well as cleaner production using renewable sources, are therefore major challenges for the future.

 

WHAT CAN WE DO?

There are some simple but effective steps we can take in our everyday lives, both at school and at home, to make our own individual contribution to reducing energy consumption. From managing buildings (heating, selecting and using electrical appliances, insulation, etc.) to transport (clean modes of transport, reducing travel distances, car-pooling, etc.) and, of course, our own consumption decisions and raising public awareness, there are plenty of examples of solutions for effective local actions at an individual level.

EXAMPLES OF LINKS TO THE CURRICULUM


Primary level: Crafts: Create a wind vane and observe the wind blowing through it (direction, strength, etc.)

Middle level: Physics: Verify all light bulbs used on the school campus in terms of efficiency

Secondary level: Physics: Visit an energy production site (wind turbine, dam, …) to learn about renewable and non-renewable energies

logo-énergie

THEY MADE IT

-> Energy saving “Switch-off” stickers created and put on light switches to remind the school community to save energy

-> Blinds closed at night to keep the warmth in

-> Calculate the amount of electricity needed to heat the building

-> Visit to a wind farm

-> All screens and electronic devices turned off at the end of the day

LINK ENERGY TO THE SDGs