Category: Solar, Wind and Water Energy

• Key idea: Fossil fuels and renewable energy – e.g. identifying fossil fuels and alternative renewable energy supplies from wind and water (UC1.6)
• Key idea: There are different sources of renewable energy existing naturally (such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, marine and bio-energy) as an effective alternative to fossil fuels – e.g. Identifying, painting, drawing and modelling renewable energy technologies (UC6.2).

Emergent learning:

Renewable energy supplies may be observed AND CELEBRATED in the local environment and there are many opportunities for children to gain familiarity with them through their play.  What is important here is to be celebrating the wonderful alternatives that have been discovered that are clean, and will never run out.  The polluting nature of vehicle exhaust and chimneys are self evident and an appropriate focus for attention in the early years.  There is less need for us at this stage to dwell on the diminishing supplies of more traditional ‘fossil’ fuels, or of their specific contribution to ‘carbon emissions’.

Activity recommendation:

Paper Windmills held by a wire and bead at the end of a sticks are often supplied as seaside toys, and their construction from pre-cut/prepared materials provides an engaging craft activity.  Toy water Turbines are also available from educational toy suppliers or they can be improvised for use in water play by fixing recycled bottle tops around a wheel.  Solar powered small battery chargers are now fairly inexpensive and useful illustrations of the bigger panels that may be observed on buildings or energy sites.  Educational suppliers also provide model wind/water turbines that light up small LED lamps when they spin.

Other Book Recommendations: