Written by Emily Dodge, Eastern Canada Workshop Facilitator
Four misconceptions about energy students always have
“LEDs don’t really save that much energy.”
Hearing things like this is one of my favourite parts of running workshops. It shows where students’ ideas start and gives us a chance to explore the reality together.
When we visit classrooms to run energy workshops, students come with lots of assumptions: some assume all energy affects the planet the same way and many are surprised by how much energy something as simple as an incandescent light bulb can use.
These moments are a great starting point for learning. Students get the chance to test these ideas for themselves through hands-on science experiments with wind turbines and solar panels. These “aha” moments are some of my favourite parts of the workshop as a facilitator.
Here are four energy misconceptions we hear most often in classrooms.
Misconception #1: Renewable energy and non-renewable energy have the same impact on the earth.
Some students think that all energy sources are the same and have the same impact on the earth. The processes for non-renewables and renewables have different levels of impact. Non-renewables like oil, coal, and natural gas known as fossil fuels is more intensive in the extraction phase, and causes more pollution when we burn them to harness the energy we need for electricity.
In contrast, the processes for renewable energy are less extractive and emit less pollution when they generate electricity.
In our workshops, we discuss the different ways in which the energy we need is harnessed and let the students think about the benefits and challenges.
Misconception #2: Renewable energy has no impact on the earth
On the other side, sometimes students believe renewable energy has no impact on the earth. Renewable energy resources still have an impact on the earth, from the materials needed to build the projects to potential impacts on the location where they’re installed. These factors are considerations for all energy and large scale industrial projects, but the amount of impact is different in each project and use. Renewable energy projects tend to have fewer negative impacts when communities are involved in decision-making, environmental impacts are kept low, and ownership is shared through co-operative models.
Renewable energy still impacts the environment, but far less than non-renewables, particularly when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, which play a major role in climate change.
We can’t generate electricity without affecting the environment (yet), but new advancements are opening exciting opportunities for students who want to explore green careers.
Misconception #3: There’s little difference between LED and incandescent light bulbs
Students know that there is a difference between the two light bulbs, but don’t often understand what that difference is. Even when they know one uses more energy than the other, they don’t understand how much of a difference there is when it comes to energy use between LED and incandescent bulbs.
During our Capture the Wind workshop, students are often surprised at how much energy the incandescent lights use. The incandescent bulbs can slow down or sometimes even stop our model wind turbines from spinning. The wind turbines easily light up the LED lights, even though the LED lights are often larger and students think they require more energy.
Students participating in our Plug in the Sun workshop also learn about energy usage and conservation. In this workshop, students experiment with different solar toys, as well as LED and incandescent lights, and compare how much energy each needs to work.
Both offer an excellent hands-on demonstration about the importance of energy efficiency and energy conservation. The experiments help students brainstorm ways they can conserve energy in their own homes.
Misconception #4: We don’t have large scale solar energy in Canada
Students are often familiar with solar panels on the roofs of homes, but a lot of times they don’t realize that we have some of North America’s largest solar farms here in Canada. Solar panels work great in cold sunny climates and Canada has some of the best solar energy potential in North America.
One of the largest solar farms is in Travers, in southern Alberta. It consists of 1.3 million solar panels and can generate 465 megawatts of power. That’s enough electricity to power over 150,000 homes.
Alberta is not alone in solar potential, as other provinces have both large and small scale solar energy projects. In Ontario, there are several large solar farms that generate 100 megawatts or more. And across Canada we’re seeing more solar projects come online every year.
By the end of our workshops, students often see energy differently. They understand that:
- Different energy sources have different impacts
- Renewables make a big difference in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- Even small choices, like switching a light bulb, can make an impact
Hands-on learning lets students test assumptions, spark curiosity and discover how their choices can shape the future.