Active learning ideas
As Ireland moves toward a carbon-neutral future, renewable energy engineering is vital. This topic explores wind, solar, and wave energy, focusing on Ireland's unique geographical advantages. It aligns with SESE Geography (Environmental awareness) and Science (Energy and forces).
Activity 01
Using card, skewers, and a fan, students design different shapes of turbine blades. They measure how fast each design spins, recording data to find the most efficient shape.
How do wind turbines generate power?
Activity 02
Students are given a map of a coastal county. They must choose a location for a wind farm, discussing with a partner the pros (high wind) and cons (spoiling the view, harming birds).
Why is Ireland well-suited for wave energy?
Activity 03
Using a small solar panel and a multimeter (or a solar toy), students test how the angle of the panel and the amount of 'cloud' (tracing paper) affect the energy output.
What are the challenges of renewable energy?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Wind turbines kill more birds than anything else.
Explain that while it is a concern engineers work to minimize, buildings and cats are much larger threats. Peer research into 'bird-safe' turbine designs can help students see how engineering solves these problems.
Solar panels don't work in Ireland because it's always cloudy.
Clarify that solar panels use light, not just direct heat, and can still generate power on overcast days. A hands-on test with a solar cell on a cloudy day provides immediate proof.
Methods used in this brief
Green Building and Smart Cities
This topic introduces the concept of sustainable architecture and energy-efficient homes. Pupils learn how smart technology can reduce a city's environmental footprint.
8 methodologies
Engineering Solutions to Climate Change
Pupils explore how engineers are designing flood defences and carbon capture technologies to combat climate change. They debate the ethical responsibilities of modern engineering.
8 methodologies