Grade 5 Conservation of Energy Home Project

During our Science unit on Energy, we are examining the impact of the creation of energyand how we depend on it to live our lives. One of the most hands on approaches of change is to limit the amount of waste that occurs in our own homes. To conserve energy we use is easier that we think. Not only does this help decrease the amount of energy needed, it also help keep money in our wallets.

Adult family members are needed for this home project. Most students know very little about the functions of the home and the appliances that we use. Everything, from heating our homes, to making the morning coffee to the electric lawn mower in the garage, uses power. Students need your guidance to help put all these consumers of power into perspective.

A visit to Rona or Home Depot is a great field trip. Most stores have displays, especially in the hot water tank, insulation, light bulb and window sections. Speak to knowledgeable sales people and ask for brochures regarding how to be more energy efficient. Please be on the look out for ENERGY STAR labels and what ENERGY STAR really means?

Good luck and please ask me for any clarification.

Mr. De Rose


Project requirements.
1. Create a large cross section of a house the size of one Bristol board. (Be creative!)
2. Throughout each room of this house, identity problematic energy wasters. Explain in one paragraph what they consume (electricity) or what they waste (uncaulked windows let in cold air resulting in wasted heat)
3. Identify 20 to 30 of these trouble areas in the home and what can be done to help conserve energy. Remember to consider each season. Keep the home warm in winter and cool in summer.
4. Written work needs to be done by the student at a proper grade 5 level.
5. Project must be neat, organized, well researched and colourful.
6. Try to use facts and numbers to justify your answers. e.g. compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in place of comparable incandescent bulbs to save about 50 percent on your lighting costs. CFLs use only one-fourth the energy and last up to 10 times longer.
7. Bibliography . Please create a bibliography for all research including websites on a separate paper.
8. PROJECT DUE: TUESDAY FEBRUARY 5, 2008