A Class Field Trip--Kenyan Style

Today's topic in science was Energy and the sources of energy.  After we discussed the sun and fossil fuels and electricity, I took the third graders for a walking field trip around the grounds of Rafiki Village.  No permission slips and no adult volunteers!  No emergency backpack!  All of those would have been required in my former classroom in California.

First stop:  the laundry drying on the clotheslines.  What kind of energy is this an example of?
Second stop:  Manor House, the location of the village generator, which powers the buildings when electric power goes out.  What is the source of energy for the generator?
Third stop:  Moriah House and Prudence House, residence halls for older boys and older girls.
What do you see on the roof?  What is the source of energy for the water heaters?

The third graders could answer all the questions.  How did you do?

The best part of this lesson was our introduction.  Our world consists of Matter and Energy, and the Lord God made it all!