Upcoming TREC Workshop

Greetings Grade 5's!

Next week we will participate in an in-class workshop with an educator from The Renewable Energy Co-operative (TREC). TREC is a non-profit, environmental co-operative that develops community-owned renewable energy projects and educates Ontarians about renewable energy, energy conservation and the community power model.

Our workshop focuses on the conservation of energy, and wind power as a form of renewable energy. We will be constructing miniature wind turbines and measuring the amount of electricity they can produce. We will test various blade constructions and learn about the importance of energy conservation as we attempt to power a high wattage versus a low-wattage light bulb.

This will be a great culminating activity for our Science & Technology unit on Conservation of Energy and Resources. I am certainly looking forward to having a chance to design, construct, and experiment with our own turbines!

Can anyone think of where in our city we have a wind turbine? Do you remember seeing one anywhere? Here’s a hint… have you ever gone to the CNE (The Ex) during the summer time with your family?

Parents, here is a link to an article in Professionally Speaking, the magazine of the Ontario College of Teachers, about Environmental Education and TREC workshops in the classroom – please have a read to learn more about our upcoming in-class workshop.

Students, we will need some materials from home, if you can gather them for class on Wednesday that would be greatly appreciated! We will need an assortment of:

·  High and low wattage light bulbs

·  Wire

·  Batteries

·  Switches

·  Wood boards

·  Card Stock

·  Popsicle sticks

·  Tape (masking tape, electrical tape, duct tape, scotch tape)

Anything that you can bring will be greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,

Ms. Greenberg

TREC school programs co-ordinator Erin Woods teaches Grade 5/6 students from Earl Beatty Junior and Senior PS to build wind turbines