Sustainability at Home

The ‘Sustainability at Home’ course is for year 5 and 6 students. It will teach the fundamental concepts for being sustainable at home.

  1. Background information;
  2. Class activities – inquiries, experiments, projects, readings, homework;
  3. Curriculum links and Assessment criteria

The modules are:

1
Introduction
  • Overview and explanation of the course
  • What is sustainability? Why be sustainable?
  • Household ecological footprint – the main areas
2
House:
Design and construction
  • Thermal efficiency and ventilation
  • Location, orientation and passive solar gain
  • Construction methods and materials
3
Energy sources
  • Renewable vs non-renewable; Clean (non-carbon/solar) vs carbon
  • Energy generation at home
4
Energy uses 1:
Space heating and cooling
  • What is heat? How do we feel heat?
  • Different heating options with pros/cons
  • Energy savings
5
Energy uses 2:
Hot water, lighting
and appliances
  • Hot water heating options and energy saving
  • Cooking/Appliances – options and energy savings
  • Lighting options and energy saving
6
Food and goods
  • The lifecycle of food and goods:
    Production > Processing/Packaging > Distribution > Consumption > Waste
  • Sustainable options
7
Garden
  • Looking after soil
  • Growing vegetables, fruit and herbs
  • What are trees and shrubs good for?
8
Water
  • What water is used for in the home, and how much?
  • Saving water inside and outside
  • Rainwater and greywater systems
9
Waste
  • Different types of waste
  • Recycling
  • Composting
10
Transport
  • Types of transport with pros/cons
  • Sustainable options: Biking, walking, public