How To Incorporate Science Into Outdoor Learning

The whole reason of outdoor learning is, of course, to take lessons outside of the classroom and as this is an area of specialisation for our company, we have developed a unique idea which can help school children understand some basic principles of curriculum based science whilst also actively engaging them in their studies.

The concept is teaching children about how kinetic energy can be created by human power and this is done by our special dynamo bikes and packages which the children have to pedal in order to produce electricity. There are two kinds of systems we can work with:

The first is the Bicycle Hub Generator which replaces a traditional rear wheel with a highly efficient and frictionless motor. It also includes a solid training stand to convert AC to DC and the average power output over a period of time is usually around 5-70 watts per person

The second is the A-Frame Generator which is a compact, collapsible and super efficient generator. A simple and compact way to generate power, these are ideal for use in schools where portability is key or space is limited.

Both bikes have a special in-built dynamo system which touches the back wheel and as the wheel rotates, it turns a magnet inside a coil – thereby turning mechanical rotation into electric power. And the faster and harder they pedal, the more energy they are creating. As part of this system, we supply an LED panel which shows the children how many watts of power they are producing whilst they pedal and they can then use this information to relate back to a wall panel which features every day household items and how much energy is required to power them. So for example, they can appreciate how hard they have to pedal to boil a kettle! These bikes systems can be used for a host of other applications:

Extreme Tea Challenge

An energy awareness challenge; Extreme Tea is a simulation of the amount of human power required to boil water.

A scale of temperature runs between two giant LED ‘thermometers. In a head-to-head challenge, each cyclist must generate the equivalent amount of human energy required to boil a predetermined amount of water (usually between 10-30ml). The first to arrive at boiling point and fully illuminate their thermometer wins.

Fun and competitive, but also educational; the challenge touches on subjects of the Key Stage 2 science curriculum as it introduces the topics of energy transfer

Micro-Cinema

A battery-free, portable and 100% human-powered cinema/sound system that runs on the energy generated by just one or two cyclists and incorporates an all-in-one ‘plug & play’ unit with built-in sound, media player and projector.

Ideal for screening educational films in and out of the classroom, it can also be use as a portable sound system / P.A for school events.

Bulb Board

A demonstration of how much human energy needs to be generated to light four 60 Watt light-bulbs. The Bulb Board is an oversized interactive circuit board with giant switches and incandescent light-bulbs.

Children are encouraged to throw the switches as their classmates pedal to effectively demonstrate the increased resistance as the electricity is shared between bulbs and the cyclists can experience its effects directly.

A pictorial-style circuit diagram introduces the children to basic circuits, symbols and electricity.

With built-in Watt Meter and LED display to encourage pupils to learn to take readings and collect data. This can be paired with a graphic/banner to relate the children’s energy output to household appliances. I.e if John generated 300 watts, this is the amount of power required to operate a food blender.

This system explores the subjects of the Key Stage 2 science curriculum; energy types and transfer; conductors; resistance; electricity.

Smoothie Maker

A great way to promote health, nutrition and sustainable energy. Using the energy from a single person, our custom built Smoothie maker blends proportionally to the speed you pedal. The more electricity you generate, the smoother the result!

All of these systems promote science in an interesting, engaging but fun way as well as promoting eco awareness/sustainability and healthy living (which are the basic tenets of the Eco Schools Programme).

These packages can be seen in action on the various videos we have filmed at schools.

For further information, please contact the Hideout House Company on 01832 275902 or email: info@hideouthouse.com