IT’S TIME – Plan de activitate
Titlu Learn to save electricity
Profesor propunător Simona Singiorzan
Introducere Saving electricity is crucial for sustainable development for
numerous reasons. Firstly, lower electricity usage translates to
reduced energy bills, which can lead to significant savings over
time. This is especially important for households and businesses
looking to manage their expenses more effectively. Youngsters
need to learn early on effective ways of preserving electricity,
becoming aware of the negligence they may manifest when
wasting electricity. Moreover, students have to discover that by
using less energy, communities can become less reliant on foreign
energy sources, enhancing national energy security and stability.
We have all lived since the beginning of the Russian invasion in
Ukraine the energetic crise that implies constant increasing
electricity prices all over Europe, generating discussions regarding
an unhealthy dependence on imports and the necessity to produce
more inexpensive electricity internally. Additionally, it is vital for
students to realize that lowering electricity demand can help
alleviate strain on the electrical grid, reducing the likelihood of
blackouts and improving the overall reliability of energy supply.
We are more and more dependant on technology and appliances in
our everyday interactions and all of them use electricity to charge
so the possibility of a worldwide blackout is a real threat that
experts have been warning about. Finally, students will also
understand that they will be responsible for their lives as well and
that when demand for energy decreases, it creates a more
favourable environment for the adoption and implementation of
renewable energy sources, which are key to a sustainable future.
Solar energy harnessed from sunlight using solar panels or
photovoltaic cells can be used for generating electricity directly or
Erasmus+ Programme –Cooperation partnerships
Project No.:
2023-1-RO01-KA220-SCH-000159201
for heating applications; wind energy- Wind turbines convert the
kinetic energy of wind into electrical energy; hydropower
produced by harnessing the energy of flowing water, typically
from rivers or dams can be a significant source of electricity,
especially in areas with substantial water resources.
Rezultate This lesson plans aim to make students aware of the challenges of
saving electricity, preventing wastage at a global and local level and
the alternative ways of reducing costs wen produing electricity
Objectives or Learning Outcomes Students will be able to:
• understand the importance of saving electricity.
. learn how to save electricity
• develop their research, presentation and digital skills.
• make conscious choices related to electricity usage and production.
• promote active citizenship.
Durata 150 minutes(3 50’ classes)
Metode Resouces:pictures presenting various instances of electricity waste;
reading materials about renewable resources, PPT presentation,
videos about how electricity is currrently produced with benefits and
drawbacks
Descrierea activității Session 1 (50’): Students conduct research in small groups about electricity
usage in general and particular at school. Then, students present their
results as PPTs. Finally, students post their research on the official FB page
that has been previously created. In the group discussions they will be
required to identify situations that involve electricity waste and ways to
reduce or eliminate it, listing them as well in a PPT that will also be
uploaded to the official FB page.
•The teacher projects different pictures related to electricity usage and
asks students about activities that use electricity at school as well
requesting them to also name instances of electricity waste as well and
how they can be prevented.
Erasmus+ Programme –Cooperation partnerships
Project No.:
2023-1-RO01-KA220-SCH-000159201
•The teacher writes students' ideas in a projected padlet.
. The teacher sets up an official FB page entitled: Learn how to save
electricity
•The teacher asks students to establish the relationship between the
waste rate and the electricity consumption as homework
Session 2 (50’)
. The teacher checks the students’ ideas regarding the relationship
between the waste rate and the electricity consumption frontally then asks
them to form groups
•Students form groups of 4/5 and the teacher asks students to research
about currently producing energy, electricity usage, electricity waste and
its prevention, alternative electricity resources. The teacher must refer
them to reliable sources for this research providing some accurate links.
•Students are asked to enlist ways of producing electricity with advantages
and disadvantages, to suggest ways to reduce electricity consumption and
waste and to devise a guide with the most efficient information about
electricity for students
Session3 (50’)
•Students present the results of their work to the others in the form of
PPTs, followed by frontal discussions
•The results are disseminated to the official FB page of the activity
Evaluare How is electricity curently produced? It is produced through fossil
fuels(the most common method globally)Power plants burn coal,
natural gas, or oil to create steam, which drives turbines connected to
generators. Nuclear Power: Nuclear reactors use fission—the
splitting of atomic nuclei (typically uranium or plutonium)—to
produce heat. This heat generates steam, which turns turbines and
produces electricity.
Hydropower: Water flowing from higher elevations to lower
elevations is harnessed to turn turbines in hydroelectric dams. The
kinetic energy of the flowing water is converted into mechanical
Erasmus+ Programme –Cooperation partnerships
Project No.:
2023-1-RO01-KA220-SCH-000159201
energy, which is then converted to electricity.
What are alternative types of electricity?
Wind Power: Wind turbines capture the kinetic energy from wind.
The wind turns the blades of the turbine, which spins a rotor
connected to a generator that produces electricity.
Solar Power: Solar panels (photovoltaic cells) convert sunlight
directly into electricity.
Geothermal Energy: This method utilizes heat from the Earth’s
interior. Hot water or steam from underground reservoirs is brought to
the surface to drive turbines or generate electricity.
Biomass: Organic materials, such as plant and animal waste, can be
burned or converted into biofuels to produce electricity. Biomass
plants often use the combustion process to generate steam for
turbines.
Tidal and Wave Energy: These methods harness the energy of ocean
tides and waves to generate electricity. Turbines or other mechanisms
convert the energy from moving water into electrical energy.
What is electricity waste? Idle Power Consumption: Devices that
remain plugged in but are not being actively used, such as chargers,
appliances, and electronics, can still draw a small amount of power
Lighting Waste: Leaving lights on in unoccupied rooms or using
inefficient lighting solutions can lead to excessive electricity use
without a corresponding benefit.
Power Factor Issues: In industrial settings, the power factor can lead
to wasted electricity where the actual power used is less than the
apparent power supplied, often caused by inductive loads like motors.
Overcooling or Heating: AC systems that run inefficiently, such as
those set at unnecessarily low temperatures in summer or high
temperatures in winter
Why is reducing electricity waste important? Reducing electricity
waste is important for both economic and environmental reasons, as it
leads to lower energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions
associated with electricity generation. Measures to reduce waste
include using energy-efficient appliances, implementing smart home
technologies, improving insulation, and promoting habits that
minimize unnecessary power consumption.
What are the ways to reduce or stop electricity waste?
1. Unplug Devices: Disconnect chargers, appliances, and
electronic devices when they are not in use
2. Use Energy-Efficient Appliances: Replace old appliances
Erasmus+ Programme –Cooperation partnerships
Project No.:
2023-1-RO01-KA220-SCH-000159201
with ENERGY STAR-rated models that consume less
electricity while providing the same level of performance.
3. Install LED Lighting: Switch to LED bulbs, which use
significantly less energy and have a longer lifespan than
incandescent or fluorescent bulbs.
4. Implement Smart Thermostats: Smart thermostats can
automatically adjust heating and cooling based on occupancy
and preferences, optimizing energy usage.
5. Seal Leaks and Insulate: Improve insulation in homes and
buildings to reduce the need for heating and cooling.
6. Use Timers and Sensors: Install timers or motion sensors for
lighting and appliances to ensure they are only on when
needed.
7. Regular Maintenance: Service heating, ventilation, and air
conditioning (AC) systems regularly to ensure they operate
efficiently. Clean or replace filters as needed.
8. Change Habits: Encourage energy-saving behaviors such as
turning off lights when leaving a room, using natural light
during the day, and running appliances (like dishwashers and
laundry machines) during off-peak hours.
9. Optimize Usage of Electronics: Set computers, televisions,
and other electronics to sleep mode when not in use, and avoid
leaving them on unnecessarily.
10. Use Solar Power: Consider installing solar panels to generate
your own electricity, which can reduce reliance on the grid
and lower energy costs over time.
InWhaefficient Appliances: Older or poorly
designed appliances consume more electricity
than necessary due to outdated technology
Concluzii The 3 50’classes dedicated to the importance of electricity in terms of
production, waste and preventing waste are meant to raise students’s
awareness and knowledge regarding an important part of their life
which has been dependant on electricity practically since birth.By
realizing the implications of the way electricity is produced
nowadays, both their advantages and disadvantages, the necessity to
cut costs and come up with other more efficient productive ways as
long as we all become aware of the instances of waste and how we
can prevent it.
Erasmus+ Programme –Cooperation partnerships
Project No.:
2023-1-RO01-KA220-SCH-000159201
Erasmus+ Programme –Cooperation partnerships
Project No.:
2023-1-RO01-KA220-SCH-000159201
