Detective

All activities

Investigating where energy is being used - and wasted - in your school

A collection of 20 activities relevant to a range of subjects and key stages.

Carry out a spot check to see if lights or electrical items are left on after school

Get pupils involved in checking that lights and IT equipment is switched off at the end of the school day

5 KS1 KS2 KS3 KS4 Citizenship

Carry out a spot check to see if lights or electrical items are left on at lunch time

Get pupils involved in checking whether lights and electrical equipment are being left on in empty classrooms or when no one is using them

5 KS1 KS2 KS3 KS4 KS5 Citizenship Maths Science

Energy audit of the school kitchens

Investigate and take action to save energy in the school kitchens

30 KS3 KS4 Citizenship Geography Maths Science

Energy audit of the school science labs and design technology workshops

Audit energy using equipment in the science labs and technology workshops and implement our top tips to save energy

30 KS3 KS4 KS5 Citizenship Science

Find out exactly how much food your school is wasting

Run a lunchtime audit to identify how much food waste is generated by your school

30 KS1 KS2 KS3 KS4 KS5 Citizenship Maths

Investigate heat loss in your school with a thermal imaging camera

See where your school is losing heat and then plan measures to improve insulation.

20 KS1 KS2 KS3 KS4 KS5 Citizenship Design and Technology Science

Investigate how much energy families use at home

Use our downloadable home energy questionnaire to find out about energy use behaviours at home

20 KS1 KS2 KS3 Citizenship English Geography

Investigate how the school's hot water is heated

Pupils talk to the caretaker, site manager or business manager to find out how water is heated in the school

10 KS2 KS3 KS4 KS5 Citizenship

Investigate the school's thermostats

Spot the thermostats around the school and investigate whether they are set at the optimum temperature

10 KS1 KS2 Citizenship Maths Science

Investigate whether the the school's heating and hot water is switched off during the school holidays

Find out whether the school's heating and hot water is running during the school holidays and take easy action to cut energy waste

10 KS2 KS3 KS4 KS5 Citizenship English Maths

Is your school kitchen planet friendly?

This questionnaire provides a general starting point for pupils to work with kitchen staff to reduce the carbon footprint and environmental impact of their school kitchen.

10 KS1 KS2 KS3 KS4 KS5 Citizenship

Measure classroom temperatures

Put thermometers in every classroom and monitor these daily to track comfort levels and how well the heating system is working

5 KS1 KS2 Citizenship Maths Science

Monitor light levels in classrooms

Monitor light levels in classrooms and develop an action plan to optimise use of natural light and minimise use of artificial lights

30 KS2 KS3 KS4 KS5 Citizenship Geography Science

Monitor whether adults and pupils are wearing warmer clothes inside the school building during winter

Monitor how many pupils and staff are wearing warmer clothes on colder days and then take action to encourage more people to wear a jumper in winter to allow cooler room temperatures

5 KS1 KS2 Maths