Energy is part of our daily lives. Everyday we use energy without really being aware of it. We use it to make breakfast, to shower, to go to school, etc. As it is completely integrated into daily life and it is easily accessible, the role it plays to maintain our current way of life is often not highly appreciated. It is important to start to understand that without energy many daily tasks cannot be done, and to start to connect this reality with its environmental consequences. Start the activity by taking a walk with the students around the school.  It’ll be like a voyage of discovery in search of energy. Explore the school in search of energy related items to raise their awareness of its importance in daily life. During the walk, mark with a small colorful sticker all the items that are related to energy.

Once you are back in the classroom, go through what things have been marked, such as a lamp, a socket, a heater, etc. As a group, talk in a simplified way about where the energy we consume comes from, so that the students start to become aware of the necessity of reducing energy consumption.

For this age group, a story that makes us reflect on the importance of saving energy could be useful:

“Volt, a bright lightbulb”

Voltio is a very bright lightbulb, she is the smartest of the neighborhood, and you may ask yourselves, what makes Volt so special? Well, I’ll tell you the story of our favorite lightbulb.

Volt was until now a very normal lightbulb that worked to light up the living room of a family: Mr Spend, Mrs Spendy and their son Wastey. Everyday, this family made Volt work very hard, she had to stay on pretty much 24 hours a day, they even left the light on when they weren’t home! They also never opened their window to let the sunlight in, they would rather turn the lights on.

One day, Volt was exhausted from a long hard day, and she decided to do something about it, and she thought: “I must give this irresponsible family an ultimatum”.

So, Volt gathered the family and said: “Dear family, I will explain to you what I have to do every single time you turn on the light, just so you understand how hard my job is: I have to get on my ultrafast car (Mr. Current), and make a long trip so I can bring light to you. I have to cross mountains and rivers, and then come all the way back. And all within a second! I am exhausted, I think I am going to retire.”

Mr Spend, Mrs Spendy and Wastey were baffled. Whatever would they do without Volt? They wouldn’t have any light to read, or play, or watch tv. Everything would be dark.

Suddenly, Wastey had an idea: “I think that if we give less Volt less work, she won’t have to abandon us”.

They talked with Volt, and she very happily accepted the offer. Since then, they all live much better and the family has learnt that they don’t need to have the light on all the time in order to do the things they enjoy.

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This activity is part of the 21-22 Solidarity Campaign