For Instructors
"The Blue Planet Prize Story" is accompanied by three supplementary units on the related environmental issues: Story Guide, Further Reading and Research, and For Instructors.
These contain useful information that instructors can use to help students understand the content.
We encourage you to utilize the Blue Planet Prize stories for environmental education classes in schools and for children's independent learning.
[Target Audience: Teachers, parents, and others involved in education]
Summary of the Story
Described as "Britain's most respected green energy leader," scientist and social entrepreneur Dr. Leggett has tackled climate change and the loss of biodiversity through a variety of approaches, including a solar power project, awareness campaigns through a non-profit think tank (research institute) and rewilding Scotland.
When teaching children, there are various themes from Dr. Legget's story, including green energy (renewable energy). It is a good idea to start by helping students to understand both green and non-green energy, and providing an opportunity for students to think about energy choices in the future.
Teaching Examples
If you are unable to find teaching materials that fit your needs, please use the following as reference.
Learn about green energy
Find out about green energy (renewable energy) and energy derived from fossil fuels. Then, think about how energy should be chosen for the environment.
(1) Use the worksheet to identify what energy we use. Students can be divided into groups with each group being responsible for one or two types of energy.
| Type of energy | What kind of energy? (Mechanism and characteristics) |
Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar (example) | Converting sunlight into electricity with solar panels |
|
|
| Wind | |||
| Hydropower | |||
| Biomass | |||
| Thermal (oil, coal, natural gas) |
|||
| Nuclear |
(2) Classify the energy into green energy (renewable energy) and energy that is not renewable. Also, state your reasons for the classification. Using a chalkboard will make it easier to compare types.
- Tips for classification (examples):
- Can it be used repeatedly?
- If we continue to use it, does it run out?
- Is this source of energy natural?
- Classification (examples):
- Green energy (renewable energy): Solar, wind, hydropower, biomass
- Non-renewable energy: Thermal (oil, coal, natural gas), nuclear
(3) Discuss what kind of energy is best for the environment.
- Questions (examples):
- Which types of energy should we use more in the future?
- If we had to choose only one source of energy, which would be? If we combine different types?
- Why we chose it (examples):
- Because it does not emit carbon dioxide
- Because it can be used forever
- Because we think it's safe
- Because it is a stable source of electricity
- ...