teaching green by michael ledingham from uk

This was my final year project at university and focussed around the idea of targetting children as the next generation for promoting sustainable and green living.

Adults can find it hard to change habits but children are influenced by those around them as they grow and particularly by those involved in their education. These devices are intended to teach school children between the ages of 10 and 15 about the operations, applications and benefits of renewable energies; in particular solar, wind and hydro.

All three devices are designed to inspire curiosity and engagement by straying from the stereotyped stylings of solar cells and wind and hydro turbines.

The school and teachers (technology and science) play a vital role in inspiring the children to engage fully and discover just how simple the technologies really are at heart and to help them realise the many ways they can be utilised in their own lives. This would be tied into other projects to add a further depth of learning and still work to the schools individual curriculums.

The technology is simple; thin film solar cells for the solar powered device and mini dynamo like generators for the wind and hydro devices.

The small yellow section on the front of all three units can be replaced with wire connection terminals for 'real-life' experiments using electronics and programming kits or a USB connection with supporting software to analyse the efficiency and operation of the devices (not yet designed).

It is intended to instill an understanding of the benefits and practical applications that renewable energies and green living can play in everyones lives and the school children in particular should carry this knowledge with them through life. Sharing it with friends and families and one day their own children, leading everyone towards a greener future.