In S3 Hogwarts we have been learning about energy. So far we’ve learnt a lot about it like the different forms and sources of energy and how we use them. Last week we were exploring renewable and non-renewable energy sources. Coal is a non-renewable energy source which means it will run out and it damages the environment.

We decided to investigate the impacts of coal mining through mining for choc chips in choc chip cookies! We were only allowed to use a toothpick to get the choc chips out. This is what we discovered:
– It was difficult to get the choc chips out without damaging the cookie
– The cookie could not be put back together
– This is like coal mining because it demonstrates the impact blasting and open cut mining can have on the environment.

We then looked at pictures of coal mines and in pairs wrote down some of the things we were thinking, feeling and learnt throughout the investigation. Some of the things we wrote down:
– I feel sad for the environment
– Why are we doing this?
– We need to find other ways of making electricity
– This is awful
– Coal is the biggest producer of electricity in Australia (54%)
– I think we need coal to make electricity but I don’t like how it’s done

We had lots of fun!

By: students of S3 Hogwarts