Renewable Non-renewable Game

You’ll need

Electronic device with internet connection (optional)

Before you begin

Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Take a look at our guidance to help you carry out your risk assessment, including examples.
Make sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely.
Make sure you’ll have enough adult helpers. You may need some parents and carers to help.

Planning and setting up this activity

Use a device to show images or short video clips of the different types of energy at the start of the session.

Running this activity

Gather everyone around and tell them that today they will play a game about renewable and non-renewable energy.
Ask if anyone knows what renewable and non-renewable energy mean?

There are two types of energy: renewable and non-renewable.

Non-renewable energy: includes coal, gas and oil. Most cars, trains and planes use non-renewable energy. They all get the energy to move, from burning fossil fuels to release the energy they contain. Once fossil fuels are burned they are gone - that's why they are non-renewable.

A lot of our energy comes from non-renewable sources such as coal, oil and gas. Fossil fuels are resources are made up from the remains of ancient animals and plants that develop over millions and millions of years, deep beneath the ground into what we call fossil fuels.

Renewable energy: includes solar, hydro and wind energy. When the wind moves the blades on a wind turbine this movement can be converted into electrical energy that we can use. The wind is not used up - that's why it is renewable.

(BBC Bitezise The differences between renewable and non-renewable energy - BBC Bitesize)

Batteries: Batteries are an energy source that can be both renewable and non-renewable. A battery is an energy store. This means it holds energy until we need it, then releases it to power a device.

Inside a battery, energy is stored chemically. When you put the battery into something like a torch, the stored chemical energy is changed into electrical energy. That electrical energy can then be changed again into light, sound, movement, or heat, depending on the device.

The stored energy has to come from somewhere. It can come from renewable or non-renewable energy sources. If the battery is charged from renewable energy source like solar or wind power, than it is renewable. If it is charged from a non-renewable source, like coal or gas, than it is non-renewable.

There are two types of batteries, single use and rechargeable.

Single use, used once, then must be recycled. For example, alkaline batteries and zinc-carbon batteries. Common in remote controls, clocks, and small toys.

Rechargeable, can be charged and reused many times. For examples, nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and lithium-ion (Li-ion). Used in phones, laptops, torches, and power banks.

3. Rules of the game:

The Energy Chief (leader) will call out commands. The scouts must perform the matching actions quickly and accurately as possible. The ones who preform the correct actions remain in the game and the ones who do not are out, until there is a winner.

COMMANDS & ACTIONS:

SOLAR POWER: lie flat on your back “soak up the sun” with arms wide.

WIND TURBINE: Stand on one leg and spin your arms like blades.

HYDRO POWER: Pretend to paddle fast in a canoe.

GEOTHERMAL: Squat down and pretend you’re feeling heat from the ground.

BIOFUEL: Pretend to shovel compost or plant crops.

COAL: Pretend to dig with a spade.

OIL: Stand tall and mime pumping oil up and down.

GAS: Hold your nose and run to the far side of the area.

NUCLEAR: Stand still with arms in a circle over your head (“reactor”).

BATTERIES: Everyone links arms together like batteries in a circuit.

POWER CUT: Freeze completely until the Chief says “Power On!”.

4. Mark out a large playing area.

5. Have everyone spread out evenly with space to move.

6. Explain that the Energy Chief will shout commands about different types of energy.

7. When a command is shouted, Scouts must act it out.

Reflection

In this game we explored how different energy sources power our world. The renewable actions, like wind and solar, showed us energy that can be used again and again, while the non-renewable actions reminded us that some fuels can run out and cause pollution. Thinking about the “Power Cut” moment helps us understand what happens when we rely too heavily on non-renewable sources.

Think about which types of energy felt the most positive or sustainable? How can we use more renewable energy in our everyday lives, and why does it matter for our future and our planet?

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

You must run your activities in line with the Safeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults (Yellow Card) and report any concerns to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.

Contact games and activities: Make sure everyone understands what contact is acceptable, and monitor contact throughout the activity.
Active games: The game area should be free of hazards. Explain the rules of the game clearly and have a clear way to communicate that the game must stop when needed. Take a look at our guidance on running active games safely.

Make it accessible

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.