Vampire power
Focus Questions
1. Before you watch the BtN story, make some predictions about what you think the story is about.
2. What is `vampire power’?
3. Experts say that the average home has around _____appliances plugged in using electricity all day every day.
4. What is meant by the term `standby’?
5. Give examples of appliances in the home that use power all the time.
6. About how much a year does it cost to run entertainment equipment on standby?
7. Why is it a concern for the average household?
8. Apart from saving money, what might be some other reasons to turn appliances off?
9. What changes could you make in your home to reduce energy consumption?
10. What was surprising about this story?
Energy saving
Negotiate with student s how many activities they will need to complete.
Remember and understand
· Write a statement about why you believe it is important to reduce household energy consumption.
· Name 10 appliances in the home that use energy.
· Illustrate what you think was the main idea of the BtN story.
Apply and Analyse
· Conduct a household appliance survey. List the appliances in the bedrooms, kitchen, laundry, lounge/family room, study and outside the home (carport/shed). Which appliances operate on `standby mode’?
· What does your school do to conserve energy? Use a mindmap to record energy saving devices, appliances or practices in your school. Suggest some ways your school could further reduce energy consumption.
· What are the energy/water ratings on appliances? Do you have appliances at home that show the ratings? Do you have any energy/water saving devices installed in your home? These could include energy saving lights, timers, water saving shower heads. What additional energy saving appliances or devices could be installed?
Evaluate and create
· How can buildings be designed to minimise energy consumption? Take on the role of architect and design an energy efficient house. List the main energy efficiencies and sustainable features you would like to include in your design. Students can create a hand-drawn or digital model (using Google Sketchup) of their house.
· How can I make a difference? Create an artwork that illustrates how people can make a difference to the environment right now and in the future. Consider factors such as making their home more energy efficient, using alternative forms of transport (consider cycling or walking whenever possible) and reducing waste.
· Whose responsibility is it to protect and conserve the energy resources? Present your thoughts and opinions to the class or small group of students.
8 Related Research Links
NSW Department of Education and Training – Amy’s Energy Saving Website
http://www.amysenergysave.com.au/index.html
Energy Quest – Energy vampires
http://energyquest.ca.gov/vampires/dswmedia/index.html
Energy Quest – Energy vampires: What can you do?
http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/vampires/dswmedia/elimination.html
PBS Kids – Energy vampires
http://meetthegreens.pbskids.org/episode5/energy-vampires.html
© ABC 2011