Energy Trail
Programme: THE ENERGY TRAIL
Suitable for Key Stages 2 and 3 and available as a whole day activity.
Consider how our energy needs will be met in the future. Explore how energy can be produced from renewable resources. Use our hands on resources to explore how electricity can be made from the sun, water and wind. Learn about energy transfer.
ACTIVITY DETAILS
The trail begins in the classroom when we discuss what energy is and introduce different types of energy.
Solar Energy
Guided by the session leader, children undertake a journey around the site during which they participate in a range of solar activities. In a typical 2 – 2.5 hour half-day session we will investigate the following;
1. Solar cooking - Children will help set up the solar cookers to boil water. At the end of the day we will return to see if the water has boiled and hopefully make a cup of tea!
2. Solar Stands - Using thermometers children will measure temperatures on our solar panels, this activity will demonstrate how insulation and conduction differ between materials.
3. Photovoltaic Cells - In small groups children will make simple electrical circuits powered by solar cells.
4. The gimbal - Children will be introduced to the gimbal which allows the photovoltaic cell to be moved so that it can produce the maximum amount of electricity from the sun.
5. Wolseley Centre Model - This model enables children to consider how the relative position of the sun affects how much electricity can be produced from our photovoltaic cells.
6. Our Photovoltaic Cells - In our reception area we have monitors which show how much electricity we are producing from our photovoltaic cells.
Return to the classroom
At the end of the morning children return to the classroom where the concepts developed in the various activities are reinforced. There is a discussion about the amazing potential of solar energy but its limitations will also be addressed.
Movement Energy
In the afternoon session we will explore how movement energy can be used to produce electrical energy.
1. Faraday torches - We will use to demonstrate how movement creates electricity. This will lead into a short discussion about how Rugeley Power station produces electricity and will link to the discovery of electricity by Faraday.
2. Hand Cranks - Making the connection between dynamos on bikes we will use the hand cranks to make light bulbs illuminate and also consider how energy efficient light bulbs are reducing electricity consumption.
3. Water Wheels - We will look at our Waterwheels exploring how they are able to transfer energy from moving water to produce electricity. In small groups children will construct model waterwheels and investigate how successful their designs were.
4. Wind Power - Using anenometers children will record wind speeds at a range of locations on site. This will lead to a discussion on where to site a wind turbine. Using our wind turbine children will use compasses to record how much electricity is produced when the turbine faces different directions.
Return to the classroom
The day will conclude with a recap of points covered and a discussion around the importance of using renewable energy sources to produce electricity.
CURRICULUM LINKS
Key Stage 2
The Energy trail links with National Curriculum Geography and Science attainment targets.
Science; Scientific Enquiry 1a,1b, 2b,2c, 2i, 2j, 2l.
Materials and their properties 1b, 2b, 2c.
Physical Processes 1a, 4b.
Geography; Knowledge and understanding of environmental change and sustainable development 5a, 5b.
Breadth of study e.
Key Stage 3
The Energy trail links with National Curriculum attainment targets in Geography, Science and Design and Technology.
Geography ; 1.6b.
Science; Range and Content 3.1a, 3.4c.
Key Concepts 1.2a.
Curriculum Opportunities g.
Design and Technology; 1.4a.
This activity sheet is available to download as a word document from the right hand side.
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