Study Guide written & edited by Megan Dredge. Additional writing by Max Schintler. Design by Shane Dunne.

Study Guide Episode 5

22

SynopsisIn this episode, we see first-hand how raising the profile of the environment spurs people into action. From recycling at Taroona High School to rounding up waste paper at Fremantle College to saving water in the Northern Territory, our Waste Warriors and their teams have collectively captured the attention of people in their school and community. Their clever and innovative thinking is an important part of starting and strengthening sustainability conversations which can then change habits.

Challenge Theme: Renewable EnergyThe challenge theme in this episode focuses on Renewable Energy.

Renewable energy is from a source that is not depleted when used, for example wind energy and solar energy. Non-renewable energy comes from sources that will run out or sources that will not be replenished in our lifetime. Most non-renewable energies are fossil fuels.

Fossil fuels include coal, petroleum and natural gas. Fossil fuels are significantly impacting climate change because when they are burnt they release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Human induced climate change is causing the earth to warm up like a greenhouse and scientists predict that there is more extreme weather on the horizon. This warming is called the Greenhouse Effect.

Australia has many natural resources and we need to harness the power of the sun so we can use solar power – a fantastic source of renewable energy.

“More bottles in the Envirobank means less bottles going to landfill.”

Freida, Waste Warrior, Taroona High School

33

Relevant Links & ResourcesRenewable and Non-Renewable Energy Sources http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/energy_resources/energy_rev1.shtml

Short Animation - Non-Renewable Energy https://youtu.be/thdKsEA-llo

Short Animation – Renewable Energy https://youtu.be/1sI_ot8qoXE

News Article - NSW Wind Farm To Go Ahead http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-03/nsw-wind-farm-gets-go-ahead/9615430

Wind Energy Facts http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/energy/windenergy.html

Earth Hour https://www.earthhour.org.au/

“Renewable energy is the future.”Lawrence, Project Planet Champion

44

one - AskQuestions to ask before, during and after viewing the episode

Before• What is a fossil fuel?• What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy?• What are carbon emissions?• What is the Greenhouse Effect?

During• Sinon and his team were given a challenge to make a solar powered pizza oven. What else could we use solar power for?• What is the difference between solar energy and wind energy?• Renewable energy is said to be ‘clean’. What does this mean?• Around 15% of Australian homes run on solar power. Do you know how a home harnesses this solar power? How does a house actually get the power from the sun?

After• Sinon said, “Solar power is more environmentally friendly than fossil fuels.” What did he mean?• Lawrence said,“Litter is a problem that can be prevented before it happens.” What strategies could a school implement to prevent a litter problem occurring in the first place?

55

TWO - AcquireImportant vocabulary phrases and important facts to look for and to learn in this episode.

Vocabulary:• greenhouse effect• drought• flood• renewable energy• fossil fuel• climate change• solar power• wind energy

Important Facts:• The greenhouse effect is caused by chemicals in the atmosphere that act like a blanket and trap heat near the surface of the earth causing temperatures to rise. • Most of the energy we use to power our cars and homes and cities comes from burning fossil fuels, which produce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The carbon dioxide produced is measured as carbon emissions.• Australia is one of the top twenty countries contributing to most of the world’s carbon emissions.• In Australia we have an abundance of sunshine.• Solar power powers only around 15% of Australian homes.

THREE - ApplySuggested activities and discussion starters to do with your class. These can be individual, with a partner, in a small group, and also to the whole class.

SelfList some things that you have used already today that get their energy from fossil fuels.

PartnerBrainstorm a list of things that deeply rely on energy from fossil fuels.

GroupJayden said, “Power down to power up the planet.” Discuss this in your group and identify 5 ways you could do this in your school.

ClassJayden said, “We can all do our bit” and Freida said, “It’s really cool to see people involved.” Why does sustainability require the efforts of all of us? What kind of a difference could just your class make by making a few small changes?

66

Four - ActivateHelping your students devise ways of actively implementing what they have learned.

Activate #1 – School Energy AuditHow much energy does your school use? Is there energy being wasted? How could you conserve energy in your school?

Go for a walk around your school and see how many things you can identify that are using energy that could be turned off. (Jayden’s tips and hacks will help you). Look for things such as lights, appliances, heaters, fans, chargers, etc. Write down each item as you find it.

Then, in response, ask these questions in the context of saving energy and using renewable energy sources:

Me: What can I do?

Us: What can my family do?

My School: What can we do?

My Community: What can we all do?

Activate #2 – Purple Box Challenge – Solar Powered Pizza OvenChallenge: To make the world’s best pizza using no fossil-fuel-powered appliances.

Your challenge is the same as Sinon’s – to make a vegetarian pizza without using anything that requires fossil fuels to cook it. How will you do it? What renewable energy source will you use? What materials will you need?

With your partner or group, research ways you could cook a vegetarian pizza using only renewable energy sources. Draw and design your plan, label your diagram, and include a list of required materials.

Then, the ultimate test, make your pizza and watch what happens!

Activate 3 – Tips and Hacks To Start TODAYWhat tips and hacks did Jayden give us to help us get started TODAY to reduce carbon emissions?

Jenny’s tips and hacks were:• Turn appliances off at the wall.• Shut down apps on all your devices.• Turn off WIFI when you don’t need it.• After your device’s battery is fully charged, turn it off and conserve energy.• Install efficient light bulbs like LEDs.• Turn off the lights!• Close blinds and open windows to cool your home in summer.

77

Five - AlignConsolidating and extending student learning by aligning with other Key Learning Areas in the curriculum.

Media Studies: Earth HourEarth hour is an annual worldwide event which encourages individuals, communities and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights for one hour.

Since its inception in 2007 it has grown to engage more than 7000 cities and towns in over 185 countries around the world.

Discuss how the media contributes to an increasing global awareness of sustainability and sustainability issues.

Science: Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels are originally derived from the sun’s energy.

This is an important scientific concept and important for us to understand when we are talking about renewable and non-renewable energy sources.

Research this statement and demonstrate your understanding of this concept using diagrams and descriptions, showing how the origin of fossil fuels is originally from the sun.

English: Poetry – Cinquain Poem Write a cinquain poem in response to this episode of Project Planet.

A cinquain poem is a five line poem structured in this way:

Line 1: One noun

Line 2: Two adjectives

Line 3: Three ‘ing’ words (verbs)

Line 4: Four feeling words (or a feeling phrase with four words)

Line 5: Another word for the noun

Maths: Graphing EnergyGraph: Ask the students to think about which room in their home uses the most energy. Using a show of hands, make a graph indicating which rooms are the most energy intensive.

Discussion: In what ways could energy consumption be reduced in this room? What checklists could you create to reduce the amount of energy used in your home?

88

greenhouse effect

drought

flood

renewable energy

fossil fuel

climate change

solar power

wind energy

Alphabet FunRewrite these vocabulary words in alphabetical order.

Waste Free WednesdaysThe students from Berry Springs Primary School came up with an idea to reduce waste in their school. They called it “Waste Free Wednesdays.” The focus of each Wednesday is to pack a waste-free lunch. This will not only reduce the amount of plastic going into the bin and therefore into landfill, it will also raise awareness of these important sustainability issues in the school community.

In the space below, list 5 ideas you could use to introduce Waste Free Wednesdays into your school and 5 benefits of doing so.

Ideas Benefits1

2

3

4

5

Worksheet

Star SentencesFinish these sentences:

1. Climate change is

2. Renewable energy can be used for

3. When I see rubbish in the gardens I feel