Information for Teachers

Material and further information:

Material for the role-playing game 'energy conference' and the offline versions of the articles are found in the ACCENT material corner of this magazine.

What are pupils expected to learn?

The content of this online magazine should be used in the context of lessons dealing with economic areas, natural and mineral resources and energy supply. The link to climate questions and the greenhouse effect is only indirect.
The question of energy supply and changes in our energy mix is one of the most important topics of our time. Although the debate is rather complex we recommend using the material and the role-playing game in all types of school.

• Students will realise that energy sources are goods which have to be traded and that their extraction and transport requires energy as well.
• Students will see that the burning of fossil fuels but also the use of renewable energies includes direct and/or indirect burdens for our environment.
• Students will understand that energy sources (in particular fossil fuels) are limited goods. Their extraction cannot endlessly be continued as is the case now because of the impact on climate change and technical challenges.
• Students will get an overview of alternative energy resouces and their potentials. Also the problems of renewable energies should be discussed.

Role-playing game

The role-playing game should demonstrate the different interest groups in the climate debate. It is not so much the goal of the game to come to an ideal solution, but to promote the ability of the students to participate in the discussion. They should develop their own opinion in the discussion of pros and cons. Students should see themselves as a part of a political and economic process.

Curricular context

The content of this ACCENT online magazine is suitable for diverse topics in geography classes. Two examples of a possible context are given here:

• Consideration of local industries, resources and energy needs. Discussion of the energy needs in the different sectors (industry, households, transport) and giving an overview of the energy mix in the country.
• Consideration of the world as an economic area. Separation into regions with special foci in resources and needs. Discussion of resources and needs in the energy field and demonstration of certain dependencies.