Green Team
Author: Brad Harder, South Fortuna Elementary School - Fortuna Union Elementary School District
Overview
We have developed an interactive education program for students to learn about energy and then share their knowledge with the rest of the school. Mr. Harder's 4th grade class heads the program called the "Green Team"
Objectives
The students learn about the relationship of static electricity to current electricity, circuits, electromagnets, electro generators, and public electrical utilities with an emphasis on energy produced from renewable resources.
- Subjects: Science
- Suggested Grade Level: 4th grade
- California Standards Addressed: 4th Grade
- Physical Science: Understanding electric charge, designing and building various electrical circuits, understanding magnetic fields, how to make an electromagnet, the construction of simple electrical devices, various uses for electrical energy, and a knowledge about electrical generators. (These standards are addressed through a hands-on science unit curriculum.)
- Time: Prep and background: Done in class over six weeks Green Team Presentations: 20 – 40 minutes per classroom presentation
Materials
Prep and background (can have for each student or groups of students)
- Balloon and piece of wool
- Batteries
- Alligator clips
- Light bulb
- One and two way switches
- Simple motor
- Iron filings
- Magnets (Various Sizes)
- Copper wire
- Hand held crank generator
Green Team Presentations
- Light meter
- Watt meter
- Thermometer
- Worksheet for Green Team to record their findings
- Worksheet for class to list major classroom energy users
Preparation and Background
Procedure
The culmination of the energy education program is the "Green Team." To be a member of the "Green Team" a student must pass a test to show they have a thorough understanding of the subjects studied, and be trained to become a team leader.
- Students on the "Green Team" learn how to use different energy auditing tools such as a light meter, watt meter, and thermometer.
- Then they perform an audit in their own classroom to gain confidence and experience using the new tools. After their own classroom, the "Green Team" members are divided into groups of three and go to other classrooms and perform audits in front of the students. The classroom audits consist of identifying electrical appliances used, measuring inside and outside temperatures, and checking lighting efficiency with the light meter to determine the potential for the use of daylight in the classroom.
- Students record the temperature displayed on the thermostat, and use an infrared thermometer to measure outside temperature, and three different points in the room: in the open doorway, middle of room, and near windows. This demonstrates to students how the temperature changes throughout the room and the importance of making sure windows and doors are kept closed in order to conserve heat in the room.
- Using the light meter, the "Green Team" measures the light levels (in foot candles) away from the windows, in the middle of the room, and near the windows. Measurements are taken with the lights off, with half the lights on, and with all the lights on. Assuming that 30fc is adequate and 75fc is overlit, students can determine if a possibility exists to use fewer lights, and ultimately less energy in the classroom, while still providing adequate lighting.
- The "Green Team" then asks the students in the class to list the top five energy users in the classroom and predict the watts used. They use the watt meter to test the different classroom plug loads to give students an idea of how much a watt really is.
For Discussion
The "Green Team" leads the class in a guided discussion about energy use in the classroom and home, and they brainstorm different ways to conserve energy in our daily lives. Team members then share their knowledge of energy in our world, such as high energy costs, environmental impacts, depletion of fossil fuels, and using renewable resources. The team leaves the class with a light switch cover to remind them of the "Green Team" visit and to always try to conserve energy.
Extensions
Have students take their knowledge home with them and perform an energy audit or assessment with their parents. Have them identify the main energy users and develop ways to conserve energy in their household.
Resources
South Fortuna Elementary School was able to purchase a light meter and watt meter through Green Schools funds. Locally, schools can borrow these items through the Redwood Coast Energy Authority Energy Tool Bank.
Funding for this lesson plan is provided by California utility ratepayers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.
