Make the case

Thermal comfort

• View the video What is thermal comfort? Read about thermal comfort.
• Read about thermal comfort in indoor work environments by Safework NSW. Discuss how this applies to learning spaces at school.
• Outline how the six basic factors affect thermal comfort. State how the environmental factors of air temperature, radiant temperature, air velocity and humidity relate to the personal factors of clothing insulation and metabolic heat in affecting how a person feels.
• Discuss how thermal comfort differs between individuals. Consider factors such as age, metabolism and clothing.

Indoor air quality

• Outline the benefits of fresh air ventilation systems listed in the School Infrastructure NSW Cooler classrooms program.
• Brainstorm simple ways of ventilating the classroom and learning spaces to bring in fresh air.
• Learn about indoor air quality from the Australian Government.
• Read what the University of New South Wales Built Environment study found about indoor air quality in Australian schools.

Managing thermal comfort

• Discuss how a person can stay at a comfortable temperature. Consider behavioural, structural and technological solutions.
• Brainstorm the benefits of managing indoor air quality and thermal comfort in schools.
• Read the Sydney Morning Herald article Cool kids: why little brains need air conditioning to learn.
• Investigate technologies that can be used to measure air quality and control thermal comfort. State the potential impacts of controlling thermal comfort and air quality with technology.

Sustainability and thermal comfort

• Learn about passive cooling and why movement of air is the most important element of passive cooling.
• Explore how thermal comfort can be managed sustainably. Consider behaviours, clothing, temperature control, energy efficiency, renewable energies, natural ventilation and vegetation.
• Learn about renewable energies in New South Wales and renewable energy in Australia.
• Find out about ways to fine-tune your home to save energy.
• Investigate ways to reduce energy use in Free ways to save energy and money and Be energy smart.

Investigate thermal comfort at school

• Survey students and staff to gather data on thermal comfort and how it is managed in the school. Use the thermal comfort checklist as a guide.
• Analyse the surveys to identify passive, energy-efficient and high energy use thermal comfort strategies.
• Draw cartoons that illustrate how we manage thermal comfort whilst outside travelling to school, watching sport and at recess and lunchtime.
• Consider clothing. Discuss how an individual's choice in clothing affects their personal thermal comfort.
• Consider behaviour. Discuss how an individual's behaviour affects their personal thermal comfort.
• Consider structures, fittings and vegetation. Discuss how structures such as windows and louvres, fittings such as blinds and awnings, and vegetation such as trees affects thermal comfort and indoor air quality.
• Consider technology. List the types of technology used to manage indoor thermal comfort and air quality in the school.
• Identify problem areas in the school related to thermal comfort and indoor air quality.
• Investigate thermal comfort in your classroom with the cool school - cool Earth activity.

Conduct an energy audit

As a class, conduct an energy audit to measure the energy used at your school.

• Count the number of appliances and estimate the hours they are turned on.
• Record the information in the electricity audit calculator spreadsheet to calculate electricity use and costs. Can you predict which areas or activities in the school use most energy?
• Use the energy rating calculator to check the energy ratings of appliances.
• Use the Guide to conducting a school energy audit – Stages 2 to 5 (DOCX 140KB) to help with the audit process and creating an energy efficiency plan.
• Interview teachers, the principal and other key school staff to gain their views on the current situation at the school concerning energy use.
• Access the WebGraphs online tool which monitor school electricity use and solar generation. Your teacher needs to set up access to this.
• Calculate the percentage of energy that is used by appliances that manage thermal comfort in the school.

Environmental and passive design

• Ask your grandparents, parents or carers what they do to manage thermal comfort and ventilate their homes. Share your findings with the class.
• 'Feel better. Work better.' List the key elements of environmental design principles and passive design strategies. Refer to the guide, Environmental design in schools, by the Government Architect NSW. Identify how the elements address air quality and thermal comfort.
• Look around your home, especially at strategies for draught proofing doors and windows.
• Investigate how landscaping can help manage thermal comfort. Refer to Landscape management in NSW schools.

Thermal comfort and air quality management

• Read the School Infrastructure NSW (SINSW) advice on thermal management. Investigate any strategies that you think might help at your school.
• Investigate energy efficient ways of heating and cooling homes. Identify tips and strategies that can be applied at school.
• Generate a plus-minus-interesting (PMI) table on the variety of heating and cooling systems available to householders.
• Learn how the Cooler Classroom Program, by School Infrastructure NSW, addresses thermal comfort and indoor air quality.

Energy use

• Calculate your ecological footprint as a measure of the impact of your day-to-day energy use.
• Brainstorm ways of decreasing your ecological footprint whilst maintaining thermal comfort.

Energy efficiency

• Experiment with different ways of managing thermal comfort at school. Measure and compare energy usage for each strategy.

Sustainable development goals

• View the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. What is the intent of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development?
• Read about Sustainable Development Goal 7 – Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

Communication strategies

• Create a mind map to organise your ideas.
• State simply what needs to change and why in your learning journal.