Renewable+Energy

= Renewable Energy = = Stage 3 = This pathfinder is designed to help build your knowledge of renewable energy sources and how they can be used to power the future. The task set from our COGs Unit //Physical Phenomena//, is to choose the best renewable source of energy for your chosen isolated community.
 * A pathfinder for years 5 & 6 students.**

[Top] //**Remember**// to keep referring back to the task you were given to make sure the information is helping you complete it. toc Links have been included to help you with
 * the Information Skills Process,
 * searching the internet and library catalogues with keywords, and
 * a selection of books, websites and elearning objects to help get you started.

//**Remember**// to make notes in your research book as you go. //**Remember**// to write the details of the books, websites and elearning objects you use in your bibliography

Key Words
The following are a few of the key words suitable for all groups energy, renewable or alternative energy, electricity, solar power, wind power,


 * //What other keywords can you think of?//**
 * //What are the other types of renewable energy, they can become key words.//**
 * //Create a concept map to help you think of keywords and formulate your questions.//**

Key Terms Definitions
energy: the power that makes things move or work electricity: an energy supply that is generated by a variety of energy sources

//**Define**// renewable energy sources using the **Encyclopedias and Dictionaries** and use the //Renewable Energy Maps of Australia// to find where they are most abundant. This will help you decide on your community and the type of renewable energy best suited to that area.

Encyclopedias-Dictionaries
Children's Encarta DV D Computer Software Children's Encarta is available on the school's computer network and designed for primary students. It is easy to use and understand with good, clear information on the main sources of renewable energy. Remember to use your keywords when searching and click on the arrow below the images to see them all. If you click on an image it will take you to information about that image.

Fact Monster Fact Monster provides an encyclopedia, a dictionary, a thesaurus and an almanac. The information is easy to read, but doesn't have images. You can search it using links or keywords. To use links [and not worry about spelling] click on //Science// and choose //Environment, Energy and Nature//. To search using a keyword, type into the search box to get results for all sections of the site or choose a section first, eg encyclopedia, then type your keyword.

Renewable Energy Maps of Australia This website provides maps of Australia showing which areas get the best sunlight, wind speed, rainfall, and tides. This would be useful as you decide what type of renewable energy source your community should use. You can download some sample maps of the whole country or you can click on the "//Search the Renewable Energy Maps of Australia//" button and zoom in on different parts of the country. If you choose to search the maps, you need to click on the layers icon and tick or un-tick boxes for the information you need. Ask your teacher or librarian for help with this as it is a bit complicated.

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Library Catalogues
Use keywords to help locate resources in the catalogues Ferncourt PS Library Catalogue

Marrickville Library You need to be a member of the Marrickville Library to borrow books and use the online resources. The library has a good collection of resources on this topic, including a number of current books (2008-2009) in the junior non-fiction section and access to the online Encyclopedia Britanica.

Internet Searching
KidsClick! This is a very helpful search tool because you just keep making choices until it gets you where you want to be - you don't have to worry about making spelling or typing mistakes! To find links to sites on //energy,// you will need to choose //Science & Mathematics,// then //The Environment// before you choose the link you need. When you read the information about the site, it will also tell you what reading level it is. The reading level means the year you are in at school, not the age you are.

Ask Kids This is a really easy to use search engine that will show different types of results for your keyword. It will include websites, images and a definition if there is one. Make sure you look on the left had side as it will also give suggestions to widen your search [cover more of the topic] or narrow your search [make it more specific].

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elearning objects
Energy Chain Series - Learning Federation These e-learning objects are found on the //student share drive, stage 3// folder. They are excellent interactive activities that help your understanding of the workings of generating electricity and distributing it to the community. It will help you design your micro electricity grid.

e-field trips - energy To access this object you need to see your teacher or teacher librarian for the password. This "e-field trip" gives a clear and simple explanation of each of the major renewable energy sources, it has photos and diagrams and some animations. Click on the action button when it appears to see the explanations in detail. The maps are American, so to think about what you would use for your community, you need to look at Renewable Energy Maps of Australia and the Australian Government, Department of Environment.

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Books
This is a selection of books that may help you with your task. There are more to find which may also be useful, check the library catalogue using your keywords!

//**Remember**// to read the information about the book to help you select what will help your group. When you look at the book, //**skim**// first to see if it helps you complete your task!

Woodford, C (2007) //**Energy**// **333.79 WOO** This book covers energy in all its forms and includes, new and possible future forms and sources of energy. It has an excellent glossary and index that makes the book easy to use. Remember to look at all the information on the page including the captions. There are excellent images and diagrams to help your understanding about renewable energy sources. The fold out sun in the middle is great.

Trafford, C & Lance, C (2008) //**Power our world-: meet the renewables**// **333.79 TRA** The information and illustrations in this book make it easy to understand energy. The book has many facts and solutions about energy. The five characters represent the renewable energy sources available from moving water, the sun, wind, thermal forces, and plants which will help you consider which is best for your community.

Bowden, R. (2006) //**Our World: Future Energy**// **333.79 BOW** This book gives a simple overview of the many different types of renewable energy that may/may not be used in the future. It has good clear pictures and easy to read text, useful diagrams and a glossary of some key terms. This will help you identify some of the alternative resources available and think about some of the advantages and disadvantages for them.

Wheeler, Jill C. (2008) **Nature power** **J621.042 WHEE** This book looks at the background, advantages and disadvantages, and future of //solar, hydro, wind//, and //geothermal power.// It has easy-to-read text, full-color photos, and excellent pictures and diagrams. They have easy to understand explanations of //photovoltaic cells//, //wave and tidal machines//, and //geothermal heat pumps//. It also covers environmental and cost concerns about dams, wind turbines, and offshore wind farms. There are informative sidebars, bold glossary terms, and an index to help you use the book.

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Websites
This only a selection of websites available on your topic.toc

Remember to use the search engines to find others that may also be helpful to your task.

//**Remember**// to read the information about the website to see if it will help your group. When you look at the website, //**skim**// first to see if it helps you complete your task!

Origin Energy Click 2 learn This site gives lots of information about energy, electricity and how it is made from the different renewable sources.

Energex - Switched on This is a similar site to Clixk 2 Learn, but there are more examples of the how the different resources are being used around remote parts of Australia. They also provide information on the advantages and disadvantages of each resource. The information on this site is a little more challenging to read.

Energy Story This site includes lots of information about energy, explaining what it is, the different sources available, how to save it and what the future sources may be. The site also includes games, links and science projects.

UniServe Science - K-6 Energy Links a collection of great links put together for the NSW K - 6 curriculum for energy in the Science curriculum.

POWER UP! This site has lots of information as well as good diagrams and activities to help you understand energy and how it is produced. It is divided into 3 sections. They cover everyday use of electricity in the house, batteries and circuits and how electricity is produced.

Australian Government, Department of Environment This site shows where the renewable energy plants are that have already been built across Australia. You can zoom in to look at a particular part of Australia and see what renewable resource they are using there. This would be good to look at with the Renewable Energy Maps of Australia to help make your decision about which resource to use for your community.

Technology Student This site would be particularly useful once you have decided on the renewable energy source for your community because it gives more information on how each renewable energy resource works. The explanations are clear, easy to follow and some have animated diagrams to go with them.

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Images: www.freeimages.co.uk (except //Books// image - L Blake)