"Lighting the Way with Solar Energy", Connected – Is that so?, level 4, January 2015
19 January 2015
Tokelau is one of the smallest nations on Earth but it has achieved something huge – it is the first nation in the world to use 100 percent renewable energy.
Why and how has Tokelau changed from fossil fuels to renewable energy?
You can find this article and teacher support materials here on Literacy Online: "Lighting the way with solar energy".
Other useful resources
Technology Online, Videos, Sustainability
Students at Trident High School in Whakatane have been working on renewable energy projects including solar panels, a wind turbine, a model micro-hydro system, and a solar water heating system.
Technology Online, Technology in the news, Solar
There are many news items that show innovative uses of solar power in this section of the site.
Indicators of progression for discussion starters
| Component | Indicator | Level |
| Characteristics of technology | Use this and other examples to identify examples of creative and critical thinking in technological practice and to identify and categorise knowledge and skills from technology and other disciplines that have informed decisions in technological development | 4 |
| Characteristics of technological outcomes | Use this and other examples to explain possible physical and functional attributes for a technological outcome when provided with intended user/s, a purpose, and relevant social, cultural and environmental details to work within | 4 |