The Science and Ethics of Renewable Energy

This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:

• critical thinking
• collaboration
• communication
• community engagement
• cultural understanding
• ethical understanding
• intercultural understanding

Australian Curriculum (v9.0) content description: Year 7, Science

Students learn to:

• explain how new evidence or different perspectives can lead to changes in scientific knowledge (AC9S7H01) 
• examine how proposed scientific responses to contemporary issues may impact society and explore ethical, environmental, social and economic considerations (AC9S7H03).

Relevant parts of Year 7 achievement standards: 

Students identify the factors that can influence the development of, and lead to changes in, scientific knowledge. Students can explain how scientific responses are developed and can impact society.

NSW Syllabus outcomes:

• explains how observations are used by scientists to increase knowledge and understanding of the Universe (SC4-OTU-01)

General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Understanding, Intercultural Understanding, Personal and Social Capability

Cross-curriculum priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures, Sustainability

Level of teacher scaffolding: medium: facilitation of class discussion and research

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.

• Interactive poll software/subscription
• Device for interactive polls and watching videos
• Electronic or printed copies of Future Energy Jobs Guide 
• Electronic or printed copies of the Energy Factsheets

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.

STEM Professional Learning Pathway

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