How can we leverage technology to reduce our impact on climate change? Grade 9 Science students at St. Joseph's College School aimed to explore this question. They learned how to code Micro:bits to sense light levels produced by different types of lighting. They then used the programmable microcontrollers to design systems that control lighting circuits to minimize energy usage. This allows them to reduce electricity consumption, for example by dimming lights when there is adequate natural light, or by sending a notification to a cell phone when consumption is high. While learning about the connection between electricity consumption and climate change, students also gained coding skills. In the future, they can apply these skills to reducing greenhouse gas emissions at home, at school, and in the workplace.
By spreading the message and sharing their learnings with their families, our students are contributing to Toronto's Net Zero Strategy to reach zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Our project was supported by the TCDSB and the City of Toronto's Youth Climate Action Grants.
