Energy-saving Activities for Penang Suya Meiyarivagam Students

Penang Suya Meiyarivagam (PSM) was formed to inculcate moral and spiritual values, social responsibility and holistic development among children, youth and the community through sustainable education. Here, children meet weekly to learn mainly moral values and living skills.

As the energy-saving initiative proposed by the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) is in line with the organisation’s objectives, PSM showed keen interest in conducting the energy-saving program for its students. The energy-saving activities were conducted for 6 consecutive weeks at each level. Level 2 comprised of 32 students aged 8 and 9 years old. Level 3 comprised of 45 students aged 10 and 11 years old. Level 3 comprised of 38 children who were 12 and above.  The children meet every Sunday for 6 weeks, and the following activities were conducted for each week.

1^st WEEK

Before commencing the energy-saving activities, the teachers prepared 20 simple questions to gauge the students’ level of knowledge and understanding about electricity and energy-saving. Examples of the questions are as follows: “Do you know that you have to pay the electricity bill?”, “What is the monthly electricity bill for your home?” and so forth. From the survey, it was revealed that almost 50% of the children are not aware that we have to pay for using electricity. After collecting the information from the students and analysing the responses, the teachers planned activities accordingly.

A pledge to save energy was printed and distributed to students. They were asked to read the pledge aloud. The purpose of the pledge was explained to the students. Later, they were to bring home the pledge for their parents to do the same. Both the parents and children signed the pledge to agree to save energy and to follow the proposed plan and activities. The pledge was pasted into the students’ workbooks.

2^nd WEEK

In the first week, teachers distributed a worksheet for each student. In the worksheet, there is a list of electrical appliances from which students are to identify the type and number of electrical appliances used in their homes. Students collected all the information needed. They shared the types of electrical appliances used, the quantity and how frequently they are used. Teachers explained the potential, kinetic energy and various other energies that govern our lives.

3^rd WEEK

A chart that showed the average kilowatt for each electrical appliance was shared among the students and discussed. From the chart, students were to count the amount of electricity the electrical appliances in their house consume and the total expenses for electricity. They were to go back home and calculate, referring to the type of electrical product and quantity in their house. A bill-reading lesson was conducted on the same day. Teachers explained about the subsidy given to domestic users and the amount taken by TNB from consumers as a contribution to renewable energy.

4^th WEEK

The children presented their calculations, which they had worked out in the previous lesson. Teachers guided the students on methods of calculation. Students compared their calculations with the amount in the electricity bill to see whether it was tallied. For students’ calculations that did not tally, teachers helped them identify the error.

5^th WEEK

By the fourth week, students had well understood electricity consumption and their role in determining the increase and decrease in the bill. The final week was focused on educating children on energy consumption and its impact on climate change. A PowerPoint on energy consumption, global warming, fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon footprints was presented to the students. The children were also taught the safe method of unplugging electrical appliances.

6^th WEEK

CAP’s brochures on energy saving were distributed to students, and they were to go through and discuss the important points. For the children in the age group 6 to 7, their parents were invited to the class to receive the energy-saving brochure along with their children to commit the whole family to electricity conservation measures. A total of 9 children aged 6 and 7 years old and 5 parents were present on the day. The parents passed the energy monitor badge to their children to confirm that from now on, their child will be the energy monitor at home.

After the completion of the lesson, students who show a decrease in their electricity bills for the next 4 months are to be rewarded.

Overall, the energy-saving lessons for PSM students have empowered them to practise energy-saving and become change agents in the near future,