Contextualization

Energy is the fundamental resource that drives everything on our planet. In this sense, it is important to understand the different forms of energy, how they are generated, and the impact of their use on our planet. This project will explore two main types of energy: Renewable and Non-Renewable Energies, establishing a direct connection with the Physics curriculum and expanding to a broader discussion, including socio-environmental, political, and economic aspects associated with the dependence on current energy sources.

Our modern society is largely dependent on non-renewable energy sources such as oil, coal, and natural gas. These resources are depleting, and their extraction has a significant environmental impact. On the other hand, renewable energies, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, are inexhaustible and have a lower environmental impact, but still face challenges for their large-scale implementation.

Importance of the Topic

The discussion on energy sources is increasingly relevant in our changing world. With issues of global warming and climate change gaining prominence, it is crucial to explore alternatives to fossil fuel dependence. Furthermore, the debate around renewable and non-renewable energies involves various other topics, such as economy, politics, and technological innovation, making it an excellent interdisciplinary field for learning.

Understanding the distinction between renewable and non-renewable energy sources, as well as their respective impacts and challenges, is vital for the formation of conscious citizens capable of actively participating in building a sustainable future.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Energies Around Us: A Study and a Campaign"

Project Objective:

The objective of this project is to provide an in-depth understanding of renewable and non-renewable energies through research, practical experimentation, and critical reflection. Students will conduct a study on different energy sources, build a functional model of a renewable energy source, and carry out an awareness campaign at school.

Detailed Project Description:

The project will be divided into three main phases:

1. Research and Study: Each group will research different types of renewable and non-renewable energies. They must understand the physical concepts involved, the processes of obtaining these energies, and the socio-economic and environmental impact of each.

2. Model Construction: Groups will choose a renewable energy source and build a functional model demonstrating how that energy source works. For example, they can build a model of a windmill, a homemade solar panel, or a water turbine.

3. Awareness Campaign: Based on their research and understanding, groups will prepare an awareness campaign to present to the school. The campaign may include a presentation, posters, videos, pamphlets, etc., and should focus on the importance of renewable energy and the impacts of non-renewable energy.

Required Materials:

Paper, pen, cardboard, glue, scissors, recycling materials such as soda cans, popsicle sticks, old CDs, etc., and specific materials for each energy model.

Step by Step:

1. Group Formation: Form groups of 3 to 5 students.
2. Topic Assignment: Each group will choose one renewable and one non-renewable energy source to research in-depth.
3. Research and Study: Groups must research their chosen energy sources, focusing on understanding the physical concepts involved, how they are obtained, and their socio-economic and environmental impacts.
4. Model Construction: Each group will build a functional model demonstrating how the chosen renewable energy source works.
5. Awareness Campaign: Groups will prepare an awareness campaign based on their research.
6. Presentation: Each group will present their research, model, and campaign to the class.
7. Evaluation: Students will write a detailed report on the project.

Project Deliverables:

Students will have two main deliverables:

1. Renewable Energy Model: Each group will deliver a functional model of a renewable energy source, which will be presented to the class.
2. Project Report: Each group must write a detailed report containing:
   • Introduction: Contextualization of the topic, relevance, and project objective.
   • Development: Explanation of the theory of the energy sources studied, detailed description of the model construction processes and organization of the awareness campaign, and discussion of the results obtained from the activities.
   • Conclusions: Recap of the main points, explanation of the learnings obtained, and conclusions drawn from the project.
   • Bibliography: Indication of the sources used in the research, including books, websites, videos, etc.

It is important that the report is well-structured and clear, with well-founded and logical arguments. Furthermore, the presentation and discussion of the results are a crucial part of the work, where students must demonstrate their understanding and reflection on the topic studied.

Each phase of the project should be recorded and documented, with photos, recordings, notes, etc., so they can be included in the report.