Building Synergetic Energy

We wanted to make students aware of renewable energy sources, how to save the environment, how to produce such energy, and we also wanted to increase interest in studying natural sciences, especia...

We wanted to make students aware of renewable energy sources, how to save the environment, how to produce such energy, and we also wanted to increase interest in studying natural sciences, especially physics. We wanted to educate them in the field of energy, how they, as individuals, can contribute to the proper functioning of life in terms of energy. We wanted to show them that energy is not just connecting to electricity, but that we can get it from solar radiation or from thermal water, why we have power plants and on what principle they work, and also that energy is needed for tourism and how use or supplement. At the same time, we wanted to create interesting material that will be used even after the end of the project, not only in our schools but also in others. We wanted to inspire colleagues and the general public to have a more gentle approach to energy, to the environment, and to make more use of renewable resources, such as solar panels. Wev also wanted to improve students' commiunication in foreign language and also to present the presentations so they increase their self confidence.

In Norway, we studied solar panels, where we found out in physics class how to use this energy as efficiently as possible. At the same time, we visited the science museum, where we built wind turbines. In Turkey, we observed air balloons and the principles of their operation. We also realized hiking, where we observed how much energy a person needs to realize a hike and how to supplement it. In Spain, we implemented an activity to use energy from thermal water. We also met with the mayor of the city of Ourense as well as the head of their region, who showed us the sources of thermal waters and what their plans are for them - for example, to build a hotel whose source of heat will be precisely these thermal waters. In Slovakia, we focused on power plants, mainly creating models that are very important for Slovakia. At the same time, we assembled LEGO robots and programmed them to use solar or water energy. We met with the mayoress, who, among other things, informed us about how our city can deal with waste, as Svidník is truly unique in this respect. Between these mobilities, we met online, learned about the energy sources of individual countries, played Kahoot quizzes and gave presentations. The last we had an open discussion.

Specific outputs are - website about our project - booklet with individual activities and procedures, usable for physics teachers - presentations on energy sources that can be used in physics classes - videos from mobile phones - discussion on the topic of energy with classmates and the general public - conference on project outputs in Turkey - radio interview about this project - increased interest in studying physics at university - increased interest of young people in renewable energy sources, energy saving as well as a greener approach to the environment - meeting the mayors - open discussion