Module 1: Power up

We rely on electricity for just about everything. It keeps our fridges humming and our toasters toasting. Scientists predict we’ll use electricity more in the future, which means we’ll need to make even more of it to keep the lights on.

STEM superstars to the rescue

Innovators across the world are reimagining how to generate more electricity in ways that are friendlier for the planet.

Let’s check in with STEM superstar Gene to hear more.

Video transcript: Welcome to the Power Challenge

Now it’s time for you to harness the power of electricity and engineer your own solution to our challenge pātai (question):

I wonder how to power a brighter future?

Meet your support crew

It takes a whole rōpū to unlock the potential of power! Your Wonder Project ambassador and kaiako are here to help you through each module of the Power Challenge.

Say kia ora to your ambassador and whakarongo to their incredible STEM story.

Unpack your power kit

The Wonder Project has hooked you up with the tools you need to charge through this challenge. Unpack your power kit as a class. What do you think the different pieces are for?

You'll also need to collect a few things as a class for your journey:

• A fan – a 40cm desk fan will work best
• A desk lamp or strong torch
• Recyclable materials for your turbine blades.

Smile for the camera

At the end of the Power Challenge, your school will have the chance to make and share a short video or poster of your challenge experience to be in to win a prize!

Make sure you’re documenting your Power Challenge journey with heaps of videos and photos and start thinking about the story you want to tell. Check out Activity 6.2 if you want to get ahead.

To find a solution to the challenge pātai, you’re going to follow the engineering design process. It’s a series of simple steps that engineers use to solve problems and make ideas work:

Poster: Engineering design process

Poster: Te tukanga hoahoa pūkaha

Engineers start their projects by asking lots of pātai. This helps them understand the problem they’re trying to solve.

Energy makes things happen. It makes machines work and living things grow. In fact, every time we do anything, we use energy.

Let's check in with Lewis and Cha Cha to discover more:

Video transcript: Energy transformations

Do you remember the some of the energy forms Lewis and Cha Cha mentioned?

Poster: Forms of energy

Poster: Ngā momo pūngao

Energy transformation and transfer

Remember, energy can’t be created or destroyed, but it can be transformed and transferred.

• Energy transformation – when energy changes from one form to another
• Energy transfer – when energy moves from one place to another, or one object to another

Mīharo. Today you:

• Met your ambassador
• Unpacked your power kit
• Learned the engineering design process
• Learned about energy
• Discovered and tested energy transformations