Energy Conservation in Schools

I. Briefly review the project proposal form. Discuss the project theme, outline and time line; review the project and curriculum objectives.

This project centers around the grade six science unit on electricity. It was designed with the following curriculum outcomes in mind:

• 206-5 Draw a conclusion, based on evidence gathered through research and observation, that answers an initial question.
• 207-2 Communicate procedures and results using lists, notes in point form, charts, graphs, drawings, and oral language.
• 303-30 Identify and explain different factors that could lead to a decrease in electrical energy consumption at school.

Before we could begin with the grassroots project some class activities had to be completed. They included:

• Discussion of background information, relevant terms and objectives.
• Completion of activity - Which Classroom Conserves Energy? This is a downloadable worksheet from Educators Conserving Energy.
• Students had to survey their own school to see if energy is conserved or wasted. They were then responsible for developing a questionnaire to use with their grassroots project to survey schools about energy consumption.

The outline for the Energy Conservation in Schools proposal was as follows:

• Students would first be introduced to the concept of energy conservation and wastage in their own school. They will brainstorm on what factors can contribute to the amount of electricity consumed.
• Classes will then develop a questionnaire titled "Energy conservation in schools". They will also be responsible for writing a letter explaining the project and asking schools to participate.
• Classes will then be divided into groups of two. They will each be given three schools to contact.
• As completed questionnaires are returned, groups will analyze the information noting how each school conserved and wasted energy. They will also offer suggestions on how more energy could be conserved in the future.
• Groups will post blank questionnaires, completed questionnaires, and written suggestions on the Internet.

We were looking at approximately two months to have this project completed.

II. Show the audience the outcome of the project proposal.

Results and a tour of the project can be seen at: http://www.k12.nf.ca/stpatrickselem/images/index.html

III. Briefly comment on any successes or problems that were encountered throughout the life of the project.

Overall, I was very pleased with this project. The students worked very hard to get it completed and they were very pleased with the outcome. They enjoyed contacting the other schools and receiving information back from them. They also enjoyed creating their web pages. Unfortunately, the project was not as indepth as I had hoped. Initially, we had hoped that each group would contact three schools; this did not happen. We sent out 54 faxes/email's and when the deadline arrived we only heard back from 8 schools. This caused much panic and students were very discouraged. We then had to contact the schools again in addition to sending out another 40 faxes. When the second deadline arrived we had heard back from another 10 schools. With the total of 18 schools responding this meant that each group would only be responsible for one school instead of three.

IV. Comment on any aspects of the project that you would do differently.

There are two aspects of the project that I would do differently: (1) I would personally get in contact with schools to see if they would participate in the project, (2) I would probably use a web page editor next time; some of the grade six students found it difficult remembering the codes for html.

V. Comment on if and how the project can be expanded next year.

Next year, I would like to contact the 18 schools that participated to see if any changes had been made. Also, the project could be expanded to include schools from other parts of Canada and the world.