These activities use the short films made by the Ashden Awards about their winners from the UK and around the world. Activities are listed below under three themes, in a suggested sequence which builds on understanding, but you can use them in any order. For further information and suggestions, look at
How to use the Ashden educational resources (pdf file).
Follow the links in the table to access these resources:
– Powerpoint lesson support with activity frames.
– Teacher notes for each activity, including suggestions for further activities.
– Five-minute films to capture pupils' imagination and interest."
Theme 1: Making a difference – in my thinking
What do I know? Why should I care? What can I do?
| Activity
| Level/time
| Downloadable resources
|
What is energy?
Introductory activity to support pupils' understanding of what energy is and where it comes from.
Curriculum areas:
Science, English, Geography, ESD
Topics
Electricity, Light, Contrasting locality - India |
Key Stage 1
Key Stage 2
About one lesson |
Powerpoint
Teacher notes
Films:
Making a difference
IDEI, India
Eastchurch School
Woodheys School
Seaton School
|
Making choices
Exploring the choices that pupils can make about using energy. Why and how to reduce energy use. Curriculum areas:
Science, Geography, ESD, English, Citizenship
Topics:
Myself, Homes, Light, Electricity |
Key Stage 1
Lower Key Stage 2
About one lesson |
Powerpoint
Teacher notes
Films:
Eastchurch School
Cassop School
Seaton School
CRT, Nepal
|
Being energy wise
Discussing electrical appliances and their energy consumption. Includes some simple calculations. Curriculum areas:
Science, Maths, English, Geography, Citizenship, ESD Topics:
Electricity, Energy, Light, Improving the local environment, Homes |
Key Stage 1
Key Stage 2
One or two lessons |
Powerpoint
Teacher notes
Films:
Eastchurch School
Woodheys School
SELCO, India
Practical Action, Peru
Shidhulai, Bangladesh
|
What is global warming?
An introduction to the concept of global warming. Curriculum areas:
Science, Geography, English, ESD Topics:
Climate change, Weather, Energy, Light, Contrasting localities |
Key Stage 2
Key Stage 3 |
Powerpoint
Teacher notes
Year 5/6 sample unit of work
Films:
Making a difference
Nottinghamshire CC, UK
Nishant Bioenergy, India
TWP, Honduras
IDEI, India
Ecotricity, UK
|
Theme 2: Making a difference - in my school, and local community
What can we do? What can we change? How can we do it?
| Activity
| Level/time
| Downloadable resources
|
I want to be in the Energy Team
Investigating what is needed to be a good energy monitor. Use this to start energy management in your classroom and school. Curriculum areas:
English, Maths, Science, Citizenship, ESD Topics:
Myself, Light, Electricity, Homes, Improving the environment |
Key Stage 1
Key Stage 2
One or two lessons |
Powerpoint
Teacher notes
Films:
Cassop School
Eastchurch School
Woodheys School
Seaton School
|
Thinking about electricity
Finding out how electricity is produced and understanding what fossil fuels and renewable sources are. Curriculum areas:
Science, Geography, English, ESD Topics:
Light, Electricity, Improving the local environment, Homes |
Key Stage 1
Lower Key Stage 2
One or two lessons |
Powerpoint
Teacher notes
Films:
Cassop School
Seaton School
SEEDS, Sri Lanka
Ecotricity, UK
Practical Action, Peru
Shidhulai, Bangladesh
|
Making an action plan for change
Evaluating current energy use in school and ways to save energy through pupil participation. Curriculum areas:
Science, Mathematics, English, Maths, Citizenship, ESD Topics:
Improving the local environment, Energy, Light |
Upper Key Stage 2
Three or more lessons |
Powerpoint
Teacher notes
Films:
Cassop School
Eastchurch School
Woodheys School
CEEAC, UK
Nottinghamshire CC, UK
|
Energising the community
Informing families and the wider community about energy saving options. Curriculum areas:
English, Mathematics, Geography, Science, Citizenship, ICT, ESD Topics:
Improving the local environment, Energy, Light, Contrasting locality - Mexico |
Key Stage 2
Two lessons |
Powerpoint
Teacher notes
Home Energy Survey
Leaflet template
Films:
Eastchurch School
Woodheys School
GIRA, Mexico
CEEAC, UK
|
Theme 3: Making a difference - the global dimension
How do we connect with the world? How do I fit in? What can I do?
| Activity
| Level/time
| Downloadable resources
|
Investigating energy technologies
Investigating renewable technologies and their use. Independent enquiry and follow up for pupils. Curriculum areas:
Science, Geography, English, Design & Technology, ESD, Citizenship Topics:
Energy, Forces, Contrasting localities, Homes, Food |
Upper Key Stage 2
Two lessons |
Powerpoint
Teacher notes
Films:
Cassop School
IDEI, India
GIRA, Mexico
Shaanxi Mothers, China
Zara Solar, Tanzania
AID Foundation, Philippines
Ecotricity, UK
Practical Action, Peru
|
Problems or solution
A short interactive quiz to support discussion about global warming and climate change. Useful to gauge pupils' initial understanding. Follow-on activity allows pupils to make their own quiz. Curriculum areas:
Geography, Science, English, ESD Topics:
Light, Energy, Weather, Climate change, Homes, Contrasting localities |
Upper Key Stage 1
Key Stage 2
Key Stage 3
Two lessons |
Powerpoint - starter
Teacher notes - starter
Powerpoint - follow-on
Teacher notes - follow-on
Films:
Seaton School
Woodheys School
Cassop School
Eastchurch School
IDEI, India
DAXU, China
Nottinghamshire CC, UK
|
Thinking about quality of life
Encouraging pupils to think about basic needs, how these are met in the UK and in other countries, and why energy use is relevant. Curriculum areas:
Geography, Science, English, Citizenship, ESD Topics:
Climate Change, Homes, Water, Health, Families, Light |
Key Stage 2
Key Stage 3
Two lesson |
Powerpoint
Teacher notes
Films:
NEST, India
TWP, Honduras
MRHP, Tanzania
IDEI, India
Shidhulai, Bangladesh
SKG Sangha, India
CRT, Nepal
Practical Action, Peru
KXN, Nigeria
|