Overview
Sustainable Housing is a whole day Science in Practice program that describes the concepts of: sustainable living practices, ecological footprints and the four dimensions of sustainability. Students will analyse and interpret architectural features to meet environmental conditions and plan and produce a sustainable model house featuring several energy efficiency strategies.
During the program students will analyse and interpret information gathered during a self-guided tour of the EcoCentre (a sustainably designed building within Griffith University) to identify the environmental benefits of a range of passive and active sustainable design features. These features include: rammed earth walls, natural ventilation, solar energy generation and water conservation. Students will then compare these to the Sir Samuel Griffith Centre at Griffith University which is Australia's first zero-emission, self-powering teaching and research facility. The building has been given a 6-star green rating and runs on hydrogen and solar power.
In small groups students will work collectively to plan and execute the construction of an appealing house using sustainable design features while adhering to budget constraints. They will also complete an investigation into how paint/roof colour choice and/ or glass / insultation type contribute to energy efficiency and consumption within a house.
This content maps to a provided sample assessment which may be used by teachers at your discretion
Sustainable Housing has been assessed as medium risk. A Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment is available on request.
This content aligns to a provided sample assessment which may be used by teachers at your discretion.
Curriculum Intent
Science in Practice - Unit Option E: Sustainability
Concepts - Describe:
- Ecological footprint
- Four dimensions of sustainability
- Sustainable practices – maintaining levels of resources to meet needs of the current and future population.
Information - Analyse and Interpret:
- Architectural features to meet environmental conditions
- Relationships between the four dimensions of sustainability
Procedures and Skills - Execute and Plan:
- Construct a model house featuring several energy efficiency strategies.
- Investigations into sustainability