Hunting to save energy

What you'll need

• "Hunting to save energy " template 
  • Six sets of each, cut and fold as indicated with image on one side and math equation on the other
• Six envelopes, marker and tape
• “Take action on energy” slideshow
• Device to show images: classroom screen or tablet 

Classroom preparation 

1. Before beginning the class, set the room up for the scavenger hunt.
2. Print and cut out the "Hunting to save energy" template. 
3. Take six envelopes and in bold marker label each envelope with a number (8, 14, 25, 11, 6, 15), and place the envelope with six identical images/math equations at various locations/stations in the room. These are the numbers to write on the envelope and six images/math equations to place in the envelope: 
   • Number 8, six light switch images/math equations
   • Number 14, six fridge images/math equations
   • Number 25, six clothes dryer images/math equations
   • Number 11, six clothes washer images/math equations
   • Number 6, six game console images/math equations 
   • Number 15, six electric heater images/math equations

Introduction

4. Begin the class by asking students to brainstorm ways we use electricity in our lives, in school and at home. 
5. As a class make a list of all the items that use electricity at home and school. Consider things in the classroom that plug in like laptops, computers, projectors, lamps and also things where you cannot see the plugs like lights. Include in your list things that use electricity at home like fridges, TVs, clothes washers and dryers, electric kettles, and cell phone chargers. 

Hunting to save energy

6. Students play a scavenger hunt game to find images of things that use electricity. 
7. Divide the class into six equal groups. Each group starts at a different location/station. They begin the hunt by collecting one image from the envelope at the station and reading the math equation on the back. The group solves the math equation, writes the answer, and shows to you. If the answer is incorrect, you say ‘red light’ and they rethink their answer. If their answer is correct, you say ‘green light’ and they find the next envelope with that number, where they collect a second image and again solve the math equation to find the next station. 
8. For example, at the envelope with the number 8, students find an image of a light switch, with a math equation on the back reading ‘16 – 2 = '. The group solves the equation, writes the answer and comes to you asking “green light or red light”. If their answer is 14, you say ‘green light’ and they search for the envelope with the number 14.  
9. The game finishes when each group has collected all six images.

Take action on energy

10. Ask the class to come back together but staying in their groups and holding onto their six images.
11. Share that the items they found all use electricity and that it’s important to conserve or save electricity. Conserving electricity means to use only what you need, and not waste it. Conserving electricity is important so we protect our environment, have enough electricity to share and save money. 
12. Pull up the “Take action on energy” slideshow and share that students will play a game using the images they collected, learn what actions we can do to save electricity and how smart technology can help us save too. Smart technology can help us track our energy use and turn things on and off remotely saving us energy.
13. At slide 2, ask students to hold up the image that matches the clue “Hey! Switch me off when you leave the room”. Slide 3 shows the answer, the light switch. Explain that lights use electricity and brainstorm actions to save electricity like turning off lights in unoccupied rooms and using natural light where possible. Slide 4 shows an image of smart technology; a motion sensor that saves electricity too. Motion sensors detect movement so turn the lights off if no one is in the room. Ask students to share if they have seen or experienced motion sensors perhaps in classrooms or in outdoor spaces like parking garages. 
14. At slide 5, ask students to hold up the image that matches the clue “It's cold in here, so lettuce close my door!” Slide 6 shows the answer, the fridge. Explain that the fridge uses electricity and brainstorm actions to save electricity like deciding what you want from the fridge before you open the door and letting hot food cool before putting it in the fridge. Slide 7 shows a smart fridge; some will sing if you leave the door open too long. 
15. At slide 8, ask students to hold up the image that matches the clue “This goes round and round and things get dry and warm!”. Slide 9 shows the answer, the clothes dryer. Explain that dryers use electricity and brainstorm actions to save electricity like hanging clothes on a rack to dry or putting dryer balls or a dry towel in the dryer with the wet clothes. Slide 10 shows an ENERGY STAR®  smart clothes dryer; some can sense when clothes are dry.
16.  At slide 11, ask students to hold up the image that matches the clue “Dirt washes away when we use this”. Slide 12 shows the answer, the clothes washer. Explain that a clothes washer uses electricity and brainstorm actions to save electricity like only washing clothes when they are dirty, using full loads of laundry and washing with cold water. Slide 13 shows an ENERGY STAR® clothes washer, which is designed to save energy and water. Look for the ENERGY STAR® image at home.
17. At slide 14, ask students to hold up the image that matches the clue “When the homework is done, let’s have some fun!”. Slide 15 shows the answer, a game console. Explain that game consoles use electricity even when turned off, and brainstorm actions to save electricity like unplugging the console when you are not playing. Slide 16 shows a smart plug. Plugging your game console into a smart plug means you can control your game console from your smart phone to check you have turned it off. 
18. At slide 17, ask students to hold up the image that matches the clue “I will keep you warm on a chilly day”. Slide 18 shows the answer, a heater. Explain that some heaters use electricity, and brainstorm actions to save energy like turning down the heat and putting on a sweater and turning down the heat at night when we are sleeping. Slide 17 shows a smart thermostat, which can be programmed to change the temperature in our homes to suit our needs and save energy.
19. Share that we all can take action to save electricity, and there is technology now, and in the future that can help us.