DEESIDE POWER - EDUCATION
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THE DEESIDE ENERGY GARDEN

A stimulating interactive feature that supports learning and discussion. Created as part of International Power's Flagship Project in 2003, the energy garden supports the 3D graphics that Deeside already has in place and is an excellent development of already popular resources. The project is linked to The National Curriculum and supports schools developing innovative environmental projects. (Deeside regularly hosts visits from a number of primary schools that support several key areas of The National Curriculum including; science, technology and mathematics.) Deeside would also like to support Custom House Lane Junior School in helping their pupils to develop a project that will make them more environmentally aware. Custom House Lane is just across the River Dee from Deeside.

On Tuesday July 19th 2005 the Energy Garden was officially opened by Elwyn Davies, Head of Schools Services for Flintshire Local Education Authority.

In his speech Mr. Davies congratulated Deeside on what he considered to be the development of a very worthwhile educational resource. Over sixty guests included representatives of local schools and industries, as well as colleagues from both Deeside and International Power.

The Energy Garden Project is based on a mixture of interactive and sensory displays and education resources that would be produced in conjunction with local schools. The "Energy Garden" would be divided into a number of key areas:

____ Discussion Area

An ideal venue to discuss with young people the various forms of energy that we use every day. The main feature would be a display panel showing the interior of a house. This is a particularly useful start for young visitors as it would quickly establish a link with energy generation and their everyday lives. They could discuss all the appliances that they know that use electricity. They could catalogue the way they use light, heat, sound and movement and consider the energy needed to make this happen. As well as electricity the area concentrates on other forms of energy used at home, including gas, oil, coal and solar power. References could also be made to wind power, wave power and fuel cells. This could lead to early discussion on environmental issues including our demand for natural resources and a comparison with "renewable" forms of energy. Using materials produced from the "Sustainable Lifestyle Project" discussion and ideas could lead to plans for energy management.

___________Hydro Power

The hydro power element of the garden could lead to discussion on the history of energy usage. Links could then be made between the turning of the water wheel and the turning of the turbines at Deeside. Children could relate to the force required to turn the water wheel and the energy needed to turn the turbines. Discussion on the amount of water needed to turn a turbine at a hydro power station could be stimulated. Further discussion on the comparison of renewable and non-renewable forms of energy could be extended. This area would fit in very well with the work done with LEGO on cogs and gears that forms a major part of Deeside's technology project.

___________________Manual Power

The manual power garden would let young visitors "feel" the energy required to complete a task. Discussion could be related to the limits of our own energy compared to generated energy. Further discussion could be related to the use of our "mini-generators" in line with Deeside's schematic that demonstrates processes on site. It would also allow reference to team work and the importance of this at Deeside. Additional, and important, reference and discussion could be made to safety features.

___________________________Wind Power

The wind power area of the garden could again stimulate discussion on "renewable" forms of energy. This area could be related to the environmental model the children use in The Education Resource Area. Links with geography could be made by discussing the siting of wind generators. Deeside would like to seek sponsorship, possibly from contractors, for small wind turbines to enhance this area.

___________________________________Solar Power

A further chance to discuss "renewable" forms of energy. It would be useful to show the children what happens when the sun is unable to affect the solar panels. This could lead to discussion on the need to store energy.

___________________________________________Raised Beds

A superb opportunity for children to see the variety of plants that can grow in an environment like Deeside. Also an opportunity to extend projects where children can plant up their own area of the garden.Working with Kate Fox-Parry, Custom House Lane's headteacher, the application also included an element to support the school with a major environmental project called:"Developing a More Sustainable Lifestyle". The project would include sections on:The Management of Litter and Waste, The Improvement of School Grounds, The Improvement of School Buildings, Energy Issues, Transport, Water.

Click here for more photos of The Deeside Power Energy Garden

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