Getting switched on to light

Year 5
Stem Unit Preview

Problem / Challenge

The school’s power bill is too high and the cost is about to increase with our new development. This context invites the question: How does the design of a building impact the power bill?

Brief

In teams, design a classroom that uses more sustainable lighting sources.

Resources

Unit Preview (PDF, 317KB)
Planning Template (Word, 2.3MB)

Australian Curriculum Links

Science

Science Understanding

Light – absorption, reflection & refraction (ACSSU080)

Science as a Human Endeavour

Science explains historical phenomenon and cultural contributions (ACSHE081)
Science is used to solve problems and inform personal and community decisions (ACSHE083)

Science Inquiry Skills

Questions and predictions (ACSIS231)
Plan an investigation (ACSIS086)
Variables, fair tests, measuring and recording data (ACSIS087)
Data representation (ACSIS090)
Comparing data with predictions (ACSIS218)
Reflecting on the investigation (ACSIS091)
Communicate scientific ideas and information (ACSIS093)

Design and Technologies

Technologies and society

sustainability considerations (ACTDEK019)

Engineering principles and systems

Electrical energy in controlling, movement, light and sound (ACTDEK020)

Design Process

Investigating and defining (ACTDEP024)
Generating and designing (ACTDEP025)
Producing and implementing (ACTDEP026)
Evaluating (ACTDEP027)
Collaborating and managing (ACTDEP028)

Mathematics

Number and Algebra

Solve problems involving division (ACMNA101)
Problem solving (ACMNA291)
Extension of place value beyond hundredths (ACMNA104)
Compare, order and represent decimals (ACMNA105)
Financial plans (ACMNA106)

Measurement and Geometry

Units of measurement (ACMMG108)
Perimeter and area of rectangles (ACMMG109)
Grid reference system (ACMMG113)
Estimating and measuring angles (ACMMG112)

Statistics and Probability

Data collection (ACMSP118)
Data representation (ACMSP119)
Describe and interpret data (ACMSP120)

School Overview

Riverside Primary School is a government school catering for over 690 students from Kindergarten to Year 6. It is situated in Riverside, a suburb of Launceston in Northern Tasmania.