NSW Government Education and Communities Sites2See

Bookmark this page

Exploring energy for Secondary

What is energy?

Gather some background information on energy1 to understand what it is2 and how changes3 in energy make things happen.

Forms of energy

Find out about potential and kinetic4 energy.

Learn about sources of non-renewable energy5 and issues6 related to its use.

Explore7 and create8 alternative energy sources. Read about the current trends9 in the development of new technologies10 in Australia.

Renewable energy

sunflower representing biomass energy

Look at ways in which we can use solar11 and wind12 energy. Find out how hydropower13 works and how the Snowy Mountains scheme14 utilises this technology. Watch videos and read about biomass15, geothermal 16 and tidal17 energy.

Cartoon of scene with ocean in foreground, river flowing down the centre from snow-capped mountains and fields either side. Energy sources depicted are a coal power station, electricity towers, wind turbines, solar panel, geothermal power, oil rig, gas pipeline, dam on river for hydro- electricity, sunflowers and tanks representing biofuel and biomass energy.

Click the image for the SMART notebook

Climate change and energy

Climate change18 is a global issue. Use Sites2See:What is climate change?19 and Real climate20 to understand the issues.

Get the facts on the impact21 of climate change and identify the myths22.

Listen to a young person’s perspective23 on what needs to be done to combat24 problems of climate change. Be informed about current debates25 on climate change and energy use in Australia.

Look at some cartoons26 to provide stimulus for productive debate on alternative energy sources.

Conservation

Discover how humans have increased their energy use27 over time and calculate your personal environmental footprint.28

Learn how to reduce29 your footprint and read about current ideas in the area of conservation30.

Quizzes and Games

Watch videos and apply what you know about energy sources31 by completing the quizzes.

syllabus links

Share other sites

More links32

Links

  1. http://www.ftexploring.com/energy/energy.html
  2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy
  3. http://www.ftexploring.com/energy/energy-1.htm
  4. http://www.ftexploring.com/energy/enrg-types.htm
  5. http://www.eia.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=nonrenewable_home-basics
  6. http://www.suntrek.org/earth-beyond/earths-energy-resources/non-renewable-energy-sourse.shtml
  7. http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/engex.htm
  8. http://www.re-energy.ca/
  9. http://www.abc.net.au/science/topics/?site=science&topic=energy
  10. http://www.science.org.au/nova/physical-sciences/energy/
  11. http://energyquest.ca.gov/story/chapter15.html
  12. http://www.ftexploring.com/energy/wind-enrgy.html
  13. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/hyhowworks.html
  14. http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/australia_innovates/?behaviour=view_article&Section_id=1020&article_id=10047
  15. http://www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg/biomass.htm
  16. http://www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg/geothermal.htm
  17. http://www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg/tidal.htm
  18. http://www.climatechange.gov.au/en/climate-change.aspx
  19. http://lrr.dlr.det.nsw.edu.au/LRRView/7296/
  20. http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2007/05/start-here/
  21. http://www.koshland-science-museum.org/exhibitgcc/index.jsp
  22. http://www.savepower.nsw.gov.au/get-the-facts/energy-myths-and-misconceptions.aspx
  23. http://www1.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=65060&title=Severn_Suzuki_speaking_at_UN_Earth_Summit_19
  24. http://www.fieldofmar-e.schools.nsw.edu.au/resources/Various/combating-global-warming-map.jpg
  25. http://www.cana.net.au/
  26. http://www.reec.nsw.edu.au/k6/page/e29.htm
  27. http://nrmeducation.net.au/uploads/images/selc/interactive/human_settlements/energy_use_humans.htm
  28. http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/ecologicalfootprint/globalfootprint/index.asp
  29. http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=popuptool.atHomethis
  30. http://www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au/
  31. http://www.neok12.com/Energy-Sources.htm
  32. http://www.delicious.com/CLIsites2see/energy_secondary