Energy and liveability (US)

In this lesson, students will be immersed in, and connect with, the documentary film 2040, focusing on the topics of energy and liveability. Students will begin by participating in a barometer activity to explore their understanding of liveability, and thinking about how energy and our environment relate to liveability.

Students then work collaboratively to conduct research into the impacts of fossil fuels on our environment before participating in a guided discussion around a sustainable energy case study. Students then work in groups to compare electricity produced from coal and solar and produce a report that summarises the results of their assessment.

Teaching Strategies: Oversee activities and facilitate class discussions.

Learning objectives:

• Students will understand what liveability is
• Students will understand how energy affects our environment
• Students will understand how our environment affects liveability
• Students will understand the relationship between energy choices and liveability

Credits and acknowledgements:

Cool.org prepared the 2040 Curriculum Guide. Together Films adapted these lessons for US educators and will do an annual review of these resources to ensure they are still in line with the US Curriculum.

US Educator Note: Australian educational standards have been adapted and aligned by discipline, and when possible, to US standards.

Cool Australia, GoodThing Productions and Regen Studios would like to acknowledge the generous contributions of Good Pitch Australia, Shark Island Institute, Documentary Australia Foundation, The Caledonia Foundation, Global Health Film and our philanthropic partners in the development of these teaching resources.