Development of teaching materials for LED lighting

Accompanying teacher workshops to introduce the materials.

Client

Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF)

Duration December 2014 – November 2014

Background

Within the framework of the Municipal Directive, schools are currently being supported in converting to LED lighting. From a sociological perspective, this supportprogramme was assisted by the Institute for Resource Efficiency and Energy Strategies (IREES). In relation to the topic of energy savings, the conversion can also be used for educational purposes. An important finding of the accompanying research was the fact that, except with regard to technical functioning, too few teaching materials exist on the topic of LEDs. More than 60% of the 120 teachers surveyed at 27 schools expressed a need for supporting materials.

Project goals and results

Together with TU Darmstadt and the Independent Institute for Environmental Issues (UfU – Unabhängiges Institut für Umweltfragen e.V.), teaching materials were therefore prepared on the topic of LEDs. The materials can be integrated with various school subjects such as biology, physics, information technology, social studies and art. In the preparation of the materials, the relevance of the topics to the everyday lives of pupils and students was very important to us. The materials included the following topics:

  • Effects of light on the body and health (keywords: light doping and day-night rhythm)
  • Influence of light/LEDs on colour and the casting of shadows (keywords: perception and targeted use in art and industry)
  • Historic development of lighting sources and political influence (keywords: ban on incandescent lamps)
  • Practical support of schools converting to LED lighting (keyword: illumination measurements)

The materials focus on the middle school target group (grades 7 to 10). Selected subject areas have also been prepared for primary school.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the schools and teachers that have given us the opportunity to test the teaching materials in the classroom!

Beginning immediately, the teaching materials can be ordered free of charge at www.ufu.de (while supplies last).

Project partner

  • Unabhängiges Institut für Umweltfragen (UfU)

  • TU Darmstadt, Fachgebiet Lichttechnik

STAFF