Key Learning:

Fossil Fuel Dependency:

– Generation of Electricity – coal, oil or gas.
– Transport Fuels – petrol, diesel, kerosene, lpg.
– Cooking and heating – natural gas.
– Plastics – polythene, pvc, polyurethane.

Sustainability:

Years of production left in the ground with the most optimistic reserve estimates:
Oil: 45 years
Gas: 72 years
Coal: 252 years

Temperatures have increased by nearly 1° in the last 100 years and projected to rise quicker over the next one hundred years.
Global polar bear populations are likely to decline by 30% over the next 35 to 50 years as Arctic areas are affected.

We learned about alternatives for fossil fuels in terms of:

-Generating electricity
-Powering vehicles
-Making materials

Also, we learned about biofuels:

-Bioethanol
-Biodiesel

During the practical session, we explored challenges and had to list the aspects we would have to take into account when using these activities with children and had to think of the positives and negatives with regards to teaching.

Impact on my views/lifestyle/practice:

Previously, I had little knowledge and interest on fossil fuels, however, now that I know about the shortage and am more aware of the problem that we are facing, I can have more of an appreciation for it. I had never really thought much about these resources running out and was naive in thinking that it would not affect me or people that I know or even happen within my lifetime. However, research shows that oil could run out in just the next 45 years if we continue living the way that we currently do. This statistic has made me realise that we will all need to work together by improving our lifestyle choices and work in order to preserve fossil fuels.

From learning about the sustainability of fossil fuels, I am now more aware of the shortage of the resources than I had been previously. I think that from now on I will take it into consideration when making choices regarding fossil fuels, such as taking public transport, rather than the car etc.

I enjoyed taking part in the practical session as it allowed me to see the challenges both from the point of view of both teachers and pupils.

Areas of Interest to explore further/develop:

The practical aspect of this session gave me an insight into the many various activities that can be explored with children in order to both interest them and expand upon their understanding about energy. After both the lectures and the tutorials, I feel I have a better bank of knowledge surrounding the subject and I feel more prepared in terms of doing activities related to this subject with a class.

However, I do feel that I need to do more research about energy to develop the best understanding of the topic that I can, as a learner, to better inform the children that I will teach.