Development of Teaching Materials for the Study of Energy Conversion and the Teaching Program in Lower Secondary School : Focusing on Natural Energy

Abstract

In this study, several kinds of teaching materials for the study of energy conversion concerned with natural energy were developed. Two of them are wind turbine and water turbine models by which a teacher demonstrates the mechanism and the process of energy generation. Other materials include a wind turbine model to enable students to test the performance of self-made propellers and a solar cooker. A teaching program about natural energy conversion of five class hours for third grade students was carried out in order to evaluate these teaching materials. The following became clear from analysis of the answers to questionnaires: ・The teaching materials helped students to understand and deepened their interest in various energy conversion processes. ・The teaching materials increased the interest of students in natural energy and their awareness of conserving energy.