Energy Basics – From Fire to Alternative Power
From striking sparks to capturing sunlight, discover how humans have harnessed energy through time. Students try safe fire-making demonstrations, experiment with wind turbines, solar panels and water turbines to create their own energy. Linking science, history and geography, this workshop for KS1–KS3 helps children understand energy transfer, sustainability and resource use. A hands-on journey that sparks curiosity about power past present, and future.
Learning Objective
Children will explore the different ways humans have harnessed energy—starting with fire—and how we can transition to sustainable power sources. They'll experiment with simple tools for making fire, generate energy using basic materials and understand the principles behind energy conversion.
Curriculum Links
KS1 (Ages 5–7)
- Science: Identify sources of light and heat; explore the sun as a natural energy source.
- PSHE: Safety around fire and hot materials.
- History: Learn how early people discovered fire.
KS2 (Ages 7–11)
- Science: Understanding how energy changes form (e.g. heat, light, motion); simple circuits.
- Geography: Renewable and non-renewable energy; human use of natural resources.
- DT: Design and test simple devices (e.g. solar oven, waterwheel).
KS3 (Ages 11–14)
- Science (Physics): Energy transfer, thermal energy, combustion, circuits and renewable technologies.
- Geography: Energy sustainability, climate change, energy infrastructure.
- Citizenship/PSHE: Understanding resource management and energy justice.