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What's
Worth Your Watts?
Leigh Ann
Padgett
Bogue Sound Elementary
April, 2000
Description:
This lesson allows students to evaluate the use of
different household appliances and how the amount of use affects the
family's electric bill each month.
Curriculum Areas NC Standard Course of Study:
Science
Goal 2:
Objective 2.1:
Assess the needs, benefits, distribution, pollution, and cost
associated with society's use of energy.
Computer/Technology Skills
Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate
knowledge and skills in using computer technology.
Objective 2.1: Use
technology to collect, analyze, and display data
Objective 2.8:
Create/modify and use spreadsheets to perform calculations
Approximate Time Required
At lease 2 hours or two sessions in
the computer lab
Materials
- A list of appliances that most households have and monthly kWh
(This information is easily obtained from http://www.wrecc/whatuses.html
- Computer
- Internet access
- Spreadsheet software (AppleWorks)
- Printer
Pre Activities
Teach the students about kWh(s). The students also need to
choose 8 appliances and 2 light bulbs watts that are frequently used
in their homes. This will be chosen from a
worksheet that is teacher created. See What's
worth your WATTS? Activity Sheet
Activities
- Students will create spreadsheet listing the appliances they
chose and the average monthly kWh used in the first two cells.
- In the 3rd cell the students will be creating a formula that
will calculate the cost of each appliance per kWh. This
will be a prediction.
- In the 4th cell you will give the students a formula that will
find the actual cost per kWh.
Extended activities
- Discuss the difference between the predicted and actual cost.
- Discuss the appliances that use the most/least electricity.
- Discuss ways to decrease electric bills.
- Students can write how they could help lower their family's
electric bill.
Assessment
- The spreadsheet should be printed and assessed using a rubric
- The writing should be assessed using a rubric.
Name __________________________
| What's Worth Your WATTS?
Choose 8 appliances that YOU just can't live
without!!!!!
| Appliance |
Monthly kWh |
| Air condition - window unit |
336 |
| Heater-portable |
360 |
| Hair Dryer |
7.5 |
| Microwave |
22 |
| Stove top |
110 |
| Refrigerator |
180 |
| Dishwasher |
36 |
| Clothes Dryer |
90 |
| Washer |
9 |
| Color TV |
48 |
| VCR |
7.5 |
| Home Computer |
45 |
Use this information to help you create your
spreadsheet!!!
| Light Bulb |
kWh |
| 40 Watt Bulb |
5 |
| 60 Watt Bulb |
7 |
| 75 Watt Bulb |
9 |
| 100 Watt Bulb |
12 |
Use the above information to create your spreadsheet!!
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