World Energy- You’re in Charge!
What would you do if you were in charge of meeting the planet’s growing energy needs? In the future we will have to change the way our energy is supplied and used.
World Energy- You're in Charge interactive software exhibit
4 out of 7 teachers note that requiring children to perform activities ordinarily reserved to adults makes difficult concepts easier to understand.
Summative Evaluation by the Science Museum of Energy - Fuelling the Future Gallery.
Key Theme
Energy
Concept
What would you do if you were in charge of meeting the planet’s growing energy needs? In the future we will have to change the way our energy is supplied and used. The solutions will be different in each country, and will be influenced by politics, local resources, what we can afford, and our efforts to limit environmental damage.
Description
This is a single player game in which the player takes control of a country’s energy policy. ‘World Energy: You're in Charge’ - makes the player the Energy Minister for Lectraland for the next 25years. The year is 2025 and you must decide how to get power to your people and if you are successful you’ll be re-elected. Fail and the country will be left in the dark. The game explores the benefits and negative impact of each type of energy source. The screen requires an associated digital camera which captures the face of the player. This image is then used throughout the game within Lectraland news flashes, for your contract as Energy Minister and within the e-chat. This unique method visually engages the visitor and encorages further exploration.
Learning Messages
Since it takes millions of years to make oil, coal and gas, how will we power our lives when these fossil fuels eventually run out? Like most of the energy that we use today, the energy stored in them originally came from the sun. We can use energy from other sources, but it’ll usually be less concentrated so won’t go so far. What would you do if you were in charge of meeting the planet’s growing energy needs? In the future we will have to change the way our energy is supplied and used. The solutions will be different in each country, and will be influenced by politics, local resources, what we can afford, and our efforts to limit environmental damage. For more information and key messages, see downloadable PDF document.
Target Audience
National Curriculum Key Stages 2 and 3; children (age 7-14) and their teachers and families with children age 7-14 years.
Location
This piece can be found on the in the ‘Energy – Fuelling the Future Gallery’ on the 2nd Floor at the Science Museum
Technical Specification
This piece requires:
A fast PC running Windows XP and a good graphics/sound cards with 2 Gig RAM or Macintosh PPC or Intel running OSX with a USB video camera. Ideally, a touch screen, but can be used with a mouse. Local sound required.
Note: Using groups of iMacs and mice removes the need for all sensors and cameras as they're all built in - a nice, tidy easily-run solution.
Please discuss your technical set up when requesting a quote on this software.
Built Environment
Described as an ‘interactive playground’ the Energy- Fuelling the Future Gallery is an internationally acclaimed and incredibly popular gallery. As part of our interactive product offer, in collaboration with leading built environment designers Casson Mann we can offer the opportunity to purchase designs of Science Museum specification interactive exhibit housing for your environment to recreate the Energy gallery’s unique ‘look and feel.’ The Energy Gallery built environment has been designed to offer versatility for groups and individuals, to encourage intrigue, exploration and reflection.
Downloads
To download information about World Energy- You're in Charge! in printable, PDF format click here.
Contact Us
If you’d like to find out more about a specific product, or to see how the Science Museum could work with your organisation email our Commercial Development team at scm.interactive@sciencemuseum.org.uk.