Launch of school information kit on energy saving

9/6/94

Energy Minister Colin Barnett said today that most families could reduce their energy use by 25 per cent or more by good energy management.

Mr Barnett made the statement to a group of teachers at Perth Modern School when launching a secondary school teaching kit called "Saving Energy, Money and CO2".

Produced by SECWA in association with the Education Department, the kit provided a four-step teaching and practical learning program for students to apply in their homes.

It had applications in science, technology, social studies, maths, communications, and personal relations.

Although designed originally for Year 11 science, the kit could be used in whole or in part in any secondary class and was not limited to the science program.

"It is a particularly interesting exercise in communication and family relations because it invites students to formulate and implement an energy management policy in the home," Mr Barnett said.

"It is a good Year of the Family project because it will involve all members of the family in agreeing to a policy and working together to achieve specific outcomes.

"The course runs over a nine-week period, so families will get a good opportunity to become aware of their skills in communication, teamwork and perseverance in pursuit of a goal.

"On typical family energy spending of about $1,000 a year, a good home energy management plan could save $250 or more.

"Families who decide to apply their savings to an end-of-year family project might find that a useful motivation."

Mr Barnett said that the kit would not lose its educational value if families did not participate.  There were alternative ways in which students could study the principles and their practical application. 

A copy of the kit, which included overheads, graphs and charts, would be made available free to each section of a school (eg social studies, science, maths) through SECWA's education officer Trevor Still on (09) 326 6267.

Media contact:  Hugh Ryan (09)222 9595 / (09)222 9699