Emerson School students John O’Brien, Nicole Hampton, Marcus Sloetjes and Neil McKinnon with an environmentally friendly house they have built as part of learning about energy saving techniques.
STUDENTS at Dandenong’s Emerson School have been brainstorming unique ways of saving energy, money and the environment.
The school, which caters for primary and secondary students with mild intellectual disabilities, undertook a project offered by company Origin Energy that allowed them to learn that one day natural, non-renewable resources such as crude oil will run out.
Science teacher Phillip Menadue said a group of senior students had been working on the project to brainstorm initiatives that would save on energy use around the school and in their homes.
“I chose this project because I was looking for hands-on activities that connected science with everyday life,” Mr Menadue said.
“The students have discovered that coal, oil and natural gas will run out one day and have been learning ways they can be more energy efficient in their own homes.
“The students really wished to make something from what they had been learning.
“They even created an energy efficient house model.”
Mr Menadue said the group visited the Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies in Brunswick for inspiration.
Students then created a variety of projects, including colourful energy saving posters to pin up around the school, and badges marked with energy saving tips.
Emerson School has entered Origin Energy’s Participation Award, which will place the school in the running for prizes worth $20,000, including a solar energy system.
