Renewable

To think about renewable energy.

by Janice Ross

Suitable for Whole School (Pri)

Aims

To think about renewable energy.

Preparation and materials

• You will need pictures or leaflets about wind turbines/wind generators, solar heating panels, wave machines.
• An electricity or gas bill.

Assembly

1. Tell the children that you have just had your electricity/gas bill and that you are happy to say that it is many pounds less than the one you got three months ago. Can they suggest why that should be? Talk about the spring and summer and that we use less energy in our homes and schools at these times.
2. Talk about where we get our energy from. What kind of heating do we have in the school? What kind of energy is used in the school kitchen? What kind of energy is used cutting the grass? What kind of energy heats your home and your water?
   
   Explain that for many years we have used coal, wood and oil, but that now many people are becoming concerned because these are resources that will one day run out. We are all being advised to switch off lights and TVs when they are not needed and to conserve water as the summer season approaches. Imagine if everything ran out!
   
   Discuss other ways to save energy at this point as appropriate.
3. The world is made in such a way that we can find energy, day after day after day, using new ways such as solar panels and old ways such as the wind. Ask for any suggestions. Show pictures of wind turbines, solar heating panels or wave machines as appropriate. Explain that our country is looking more and more to these alternative energy sources.
4. There are many things that we use each day that can run out – milk, ink, glue. We can usually go into the store cupboard or to the shops and find replacements. But when some things run out there may be nothing new to put in their place.
   
   Optional: The Bible tells us that there is one thing that will never run out, and that is God's love for his world and for his people. God's love is like the waves of the sea, breaking over the shore, day in, day out, day in, day out. God's love is new every morning.

Time for reflection

Reflection

Human beings are clever and seem never to run out of ideas. What ideas do you have for saving energy and for finding new sources of energy?

Prayer

Dear God,
Thank you for all the things you have provided for us when you made your world.
Thank you for the new fresh air we breathe every day.
Thank you for water and food.
Thank you for the sun and the wind and the rain which we enjoy.
Thank you especially for your love for us. Thank you that it will never run out. Thank you that it is new every morning.

Amen.

Song/music

‘Morning has broken’ (Come and Praise, 1)