Lesson summary
Students will analyse and compare the efficiency of electricity generation from coal, solar, hydro, and wind by using data, statistics, and industry insights. They will explore factors affecting energy efficiency and discuss potential career paths in the energy sector.
Learning intentions:
Students will...
- apply the law of conservation of energy to analyse and compare the efficiency of electricity generation from various energy sources, including coal, solar, hydro, and wind.
Success criteria:
Students can...
- explain what energy efficiency is and how it is represented in different energy systems
- compare and analyse the efficiency of electricity generation from coal, solar, hydro, and wind using data, statistics, and industry interviews
- identify factors affecting energy efficiency and discuss potential future careers in energy industries.
Lesson guides and printables
Lesson details
Skills
This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:
- collaboration
- communication
- community engagement
- cultural understanding
- curiosity
- digital literacy
- prototyping
- reflection
Curriculum Mapping
Australian Curriculum (v9.0) content description: Year 9, Physical Sciences
Students learn to:
- apply the law of conservation of energy to analyse system efficiency in terms of energy inputs, outputs, transfers and transformations (AC9S9U05).
Relevant parts of Year 9 achievement standards: Students analyse energy conservation in simple systems and apply wave and particle models to describe energy transfer.
NSW Syllabus outcomes:
- describes the effects of forces in everyday contexts (SC4-FOR-01)
- evaluates current and alternative energy use based on ethical and sustainability considerations (SC5-EGY-01)
General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium: facilitate class discussion, research, and group work.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
UN SDG 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
- Target 7:1 By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.
Resources Required
- Calculators
- Device capable of displaying audiovisual material
- Digital presentation tools (e.g., Google Docs, Canva)
- Handouts for note-taking and worksheets
- Laptops or tablets
- Markers and poster paper
- Post-it notes
Additional Info
This lesson has been developed in partnership with the Queensland Government through Queensland's Clean Energy Workforce Roadmap. Cool.org would like to acknowledge and express our gratitude to the Clean Energy Council for the expertise and advice provided in creating these resources.
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