Stage 3
Students will have a brief history of energy and then conduct hands-on investigations into various forms of energy production including current and future developments in electricity.
The program will include:
PowerPoint Introduction
Practical activities:
- Solar oven, battery power, thermal imaging,
- Wind turbines and solar power
- Kinetic energy and pedal power
- Hydro power
- Designing a sustainable house using interchangeable hands-on science kit
- Presenting their findings
For further information on curriculum links, program and excursion information see below or contact us.
Check out the filmpond Energy: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Further Information
Location
Awabakal Environmental Education Centre- Wetlands Campus, 412 Sandgate Road, Shortland.
Syllabus outcomes and content
Stage 3 Science and Technology outcomes
A student:
- plans and conducts scientific investigations to answer testable questions, and collects and summarises data to communicate conclusions ST3-1WS-S
- plans and uses materials, tools and equipment to develop solutions for a need or opportunity ST3-2DP-T
Physical World
A student:
- explains how energy is transformed from one form to another ST3-8PW-ST
- investigates the effects of increasing or decreasing the strength of a specific contact or non-contact force ST3-9PW-ST
Material World
A student:
- explains the effect of heat on the properties and behaviour of materials ST3-6MW-S
- explains how the properties of materials determine their use for a range of purposes ST3-7MW-T
Key inquiry questions
How can we make a force stronger or weaker?
What types of energy transformations can be observed?
Focus question: How can electricity be used in a product or system?
Content
Physical World
Describing and exploring specific forces
Students:
- explore and describe some common contact or non-contact forces, for example:
− tension and elastic force
- perform a scientific investigation to explore the effects of changing the strength of a single contact or non-contact force, for example: SciT
− how a stronger or weaker applied force results in objects travelling longer or shorter distances
Transfer and transformation of energy
Students:
- identify different types of energy transformations, for example: (ACSSU097)
− heat energy to light energy
- investigate how electrical energy can be transferred and transformed in electrical circuits and can be generated from a range of sources (ACSSU097) SciT SysT
Forces and energy in products and systems
Students:
- describe examples where light, sound, heat and electrical energy transform from one type of energy to another, for example: ComT SysT
− a solar panel transforms light energy into electrical energy
- investigate how electrical energy can control movement, sound, or light in a product or system (ACTDEK020) ComT SciT
- design, test and evaluate a product or system that involves an energy transformation to meet an identified need using electrical energy ComT DesT
Material World
Properties of materials determine their use
Students:
- critique needs or opportunities for designing using sustainable materials DesT
- design a sustainable product, system or environment individually and/or collaboratively considering the properties of materials SysT DesT
- select appropriate materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques and apply safe procedures to produce designed solutions DesT
Learning across the curriculum
Sustainability
Critical and creative thinking
Civics and citizenship
Literacy
Bus information
Drop off and collection Awabakal Environmental Education Centre (AEEC), Wetlands Campus located at Hunter Wetlands Centre, 412 Sandgate Rd, Shortland, Newcastle.
Please use School entry.
What to bring
Printed workbook, clipboard and pencil.
Students should bring lunch, recess, refillable water bottle, hats, sunscreen, covered walking shoes plus any special requirements of the group (Wet weather gear when necessary). Non-aerosol insect repellent is advisable in summer.
Sample timetable
Introduction - 10:00 am
Morning tea - 10:30 am
Two learning activities - 10:50am
Lunch - 12:30pm
One learning activity - 1:00pm
Finish- 2:00pm
Students will have morning tea and lunch on the grounds of the AEEC. This timetable is only a guide and may be adjusted.
Supervision
AEEC is a NSW Department of Education school and staff are trained DoE teachers specialising in Environmental Education.
AEEC teachers rely on the participation of visiting teachers to meet recommended supervision levels. Visiting teachers are ultimately responsible for behaviour of students, students with existing medical conditions or special needs.
Medical or special needs
Please notify Awabakal Environmental Education Centre of any medical conditions or special needs that may need to be taken into consideration when planning or delivering the program. Upon booking an excursion, a form will be emailed to complete to detail any medical or special needs.
Parent / carer helpers
As our staff are Department of Education teachers we don’t require parent helpers on the day. If your school decides to bring parents, we kindly ask that you keep the number to a minimum. For safety reasons and the nature of our sites, parents will not be able to participate in activities.
Extreme or wet weather
Extreme weather conditions such as heavy rainfall, high winds and extreme bush fire danger may result in the excursion being modified, postponed or cancelled. If you have any concerns regarding the weather prior to the excursion, contact Awabakal Environmental Education Centre on 4955 8673 or email awabakal-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au.
Cancellations
Cancellations less than three school weeks notice may incur an administration fee. This does not apply to cancellations due to weather or fire danger.
Bookings
For bookings click here.