“How could installing solar panels at WCW improve our school and help the planet?”
What Students Did
Launching the Inquiry
Students began by exploring the role of renewable energy in addressing climate change and community sustainability, in connection with the Goals Project.
Through discussion, videos, and examples of solar installations in schools and communities, students developed questions about whether solar panels could realistically work at our school.
Students asked questions such as:
- How do solar panels work?
- Would our school building receive enough sunlight?
- Would solar panels be financially worthwhile?
- How could we advocate for change in the community?
- How much would it cost to install and maintains solar panels?
Investigating the Problem
Students worked in research teams to explore different aspects of the challenge.
They investigated:
Science & Engineering
- how photovoltaic panels generate electricity
- how sunlight, roof direction, and weather affect efficiency
Mathematics & Cost Analysis
- estimated installation costs in Ontario
- energy usage and potential savings
- long-term financial impact
Students gathered information from articles, videos, and data sources to build evidence-based conclusions.
Designing Solutions
Students synthesized their research to design a proposal for solar energy at our school.
This stage involved:
• organizing evidence from multiple teams
• identifying the strongest arguments for renewable energy
• designing visual explanations and infographics
• developing a clear and persuasive proposal structure
Students considered both environmental and economic factors when proposing their solution.
Communicating for Real-World Impact
coming soon!
Reflection and Learning
coming soon!
Knowledge and Skills
Science and Social Studies
- How solar panels generate electricity
- Renewable energy systems
- Environmental impact
- Citizenship through advocacy
- Community engagement
Mathematics
- Cost analysis
- Interpreting data and graphs
- Estimating long-term savings
Language
- Research skills
- Persuasive writing
- Public speaking
- Presenting evidence clearly
Co-Created Planning Tools
Student Work
Ontario Curriculum Connections
Science and Technology (2022)
- A1.1 use a scientific research process and associated skills to conduct investigations
- A1.5 communicate findings, using science and technology vocabulary and formats
- C1.2 assess choices that reduce personal use of electrical energy from both renewable and non-renewable sources, and advocate for the responsible use of electrical energy by the school community
- C2.4 describe how technologies transform various forms of energy into electrical energy
- C2.5 describe ways in which electrical energy is transformed into other forms of energy
Social Studies (2023)
- B1.2 analyse responses of Canadian governments, non-governmental organizations, and individual citizens to an economic, environmental, political, and/or social issue of international significance
- B1.3 explain why some environmental issues are of international importance and require the participation of other regions of the world, along with that of Canada, if they are to be effectively addressed
- B2.1 formulate questions to guide investigations into global issues of political, social, economic, and/or environmental importance
- B2.2 gather and organize information on global issues of political, social, economic, and/or environmental importance
- B2.4 interpret and analyse information and data relevant to their investigations, using a variety of tools
- B2.5 evaluate evidence and draw conclusions about global issues of political, social, economic, and/or environmental importance
- B2.6 communicate the results of inquiries, using appropriate vocabulary and formats.
- B3.2 describe Canada’s participation in different international accords, organizations, and/or programs
Language (2023)
- A2.3 gather, evaluate, and use information to construct knowledge
- A2.4 demonstrate an understanding of the forms, conventions, and techniques of digital and media texts
- A2.6 select and use appropriate digital and media tools to support the design process
- B1.3 identify the purpose and audience for speaking in formal and informal contexts
- B1.4 identify and use oral and non-verbal communication strategies, including expression, gestures, and body language
- B1.5 use precise and descriptive word choice to support audience comprehension
- C2.6 summarize and record the main idea and supporting details in various texts, and draw well-supported conclusions
- C3.2 make local and global inferences to extend understanding
- C3.3 analyze various texts by identifying main and supporting ideas, evaluating the quality of information, and formulating conclusions
- D1.1 identify the topic, purpose, and audience for various texts
- D1.2 generate and develop ideas and details about various topics
- D1.3 gather information and content relevant to a topic, using multiple textual sources
- D3.1 produce final texts to achieve the intended effect
- D3.2 publish and present texts using selected media and tools
Mathematics (2020)
- B2.3 use mental math strategies to calculate percents of whole numbers
- B2.12 solve problems involving ratios, including percents and rates, using appropriate tools and strategies
- C4 apply the process of mathematical modelling to represent, analyse, make predictions, and provide insight into real-life situations
- D1.3 select from among a variety of graphs, and display data with proper sources, titles, and labels, and appropriate scales
- D1.4 create an infographic about a data set that helps to tell a story about the data
- D1.6 analyse different sets of data presented in various ways tomake convincing arguments and informed decisions
- E2.1 measure length, area, mass, and capacity using the appropriate metric units
- F1.2 identify different types of financial goals, including earning and saving goals, and outline some key steps in achieving them
- F1.3 identify and describe various factors that may help or interfere with reaching financial goals
- F1.4 explain the concept of interest rates, and identify types of interest rates and fees associated with different accounts and loans