Primary years 1 - 3 ENERGY for WORK

What is energy?

Energy is the ability to do work.

Energy has many different forms. People, animals and plants use energy. Plants use the energy from the sun to help them grow. People also use energy to grow - as well as to work and play.

What things are happening in this scene that are using energy?

There are many sources of energy. The sun, wind, water, gas and electricity are all sources of energy. These sources are used to make different things happen.

People also use energy to operate machines and gadgets, like television. These machines and gadgets use energy to do lots of different things. Televisions, video games, CD players, cars, lights, microwaves and fridges all need energy to operate. Energy is used everyday in running important places like hospitals, shopping centres and airports.

Energy is a very important part of our world. The more people there are in the world, the more energy we use. The population of the world grows everyday. It is important to use energy wisely.

Try this activity to see how you can use energy more wisely:

1. Make a list about the things that happen at school that need energy.
2. Now put a star next to the things you think you must use or do everyday.
3. Have a look at what is left. Can you think about how you could do these things another way - using less energy.

Energy Wise	Energy and Change 1.2	We use energy all the time. It is a very valuable thing in our community, so it is important to use it wisely.Think about the kind electrical appliances used at school and at home and how you might change the way you use that object to save energy.
Active Energy	Energy and Change 2.2	Use your own energy to play a game outside to learn the different types of energy sources.
Powering Up the Community	Science and Society 2.3	We use different sources of energy to do work. Have a look at the pictures and explain what they do and whether they use sun, wind, water, gas or electricity.
Box up your energy	Energy and Change 2.2	Energy is all around us. It is used at home, in school, and outside in everyday life. Create a model using an old shoe box to show how energy is used.