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Waste to Energy

Elementary, Middle

Description

This short program focuses on the issues of water use and water conservation.  Students are introduced to environmental engineer Bruce Logan and his work in turning wastewater into energy! 

All of us use water and in the process too much of it goes down drains, sewers or toilets to wastewater treatment plants where it undergoes rigorous cleaning before flowing back to the environment. The process takes time, money and a lot of energy.  Most treatment plants use bacteria to break down the organic waste in the water. Logan and his team are developing microbial fuel cells to channel the bacteria’s hard work into energy.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This video provides a good illustration of how technology is being used to solve environmental problems.  It provides a good look at careers in the field of environmental engineering and would provide a good start to a research project in which students would explore other innovations in water conservation.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

  • Step 1Select a province
  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions.
        • Matter and Energy Understandings of the physical world are deepened through investigating matter and energy.
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
  • Manitoba
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Water Systems on Earth
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Water Systems on Earth's Surface
  • Northwest Territories
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
    • Grade 5
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Energy and Control: Conservation of Energy
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
  • Nunavut
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 4
      • Step 3Select a subject
    • Grade 5
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Energy and Control: Conservation of Energy
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
  • Ontario
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 5
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth and Space Systems: Conservation of Energy & Resources
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Geography
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Natural Resources around the World: Use and Sustainability
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science & Technology
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Earth and Space Systems: Water Systems
  • Prince Edward Island
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Water Systems on Earth
  • Quebec
  • Saskatchewan
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 8: Water Systems on Earth

Themes Addressed

Science and Technology (1)

  • Appropriate Technology

Waste Management (1)

  • Liquid Waste

Water (2)

  • Water Treatment and Distribution
  • Water Use