"Not only will atomic power be released, but someday we will harness the rise and fall of the tides and imprison the rays of the sun." — Thomas Edison
Program overview
Program inquiry question:
How can we produce and consume electrical energy more sustainably?
Power up, Power down is a full day excursion which takes place at Brisbane Urban Environmental Education Centre, where students will:
- examine energy forms and transformations.
- extend their knowledge and understanding of electrical circuits.
- Plan and conduct practical experiments designed to investigate aspects of energy efficiency and sustainable energy production.
The day begins with an engaging card matching activity which taps into prior knowledge and introduces or reviews the vocabulary associated with different forms of energy and energy transfers and transformations. This allows students to make connections between abstract notions of energy, their definitions and examples in the real world. Models from a range of renewable and non-renewable energy production methods including a steam engine, wind and water turbines and a hydrogen fuel cell are used to illustrate the energy transformations, which are then mapped in energy flow diagrams.
A series of hands-on practical activities enables students to construct and test an electrical circuit with a variety of components.
Students later conduct a series of fair tests to investigate energy efficiency. They identify measures to be changed and controlled before observing, measuring and recording data with accuracy. Finally, students interpret and evaluate their experimental results to determine whether their reasoned prediction is supported.
At the end of a day filled with thought provoking practical activities, students leave with the scientific knowledge they need to develop energy management initiatives in their own school environment and at home.
Curriculum links 
Risk Assessment - Year 6 - Power up power down
Make a booking!