Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING:

• Explain "CO2 equivalents" and data center energy consumption.
• Understand the physical infrastructure behind the "cloud" and AI operations.

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Compare energy costs of digital actions (e.g., sending an email vs. training an AI model).
• Work in teams to brainstorm and present sustainable solutions.
• Use collaborative tools to create mind maps and project plans.

ATTITUDES & VALUES:

• Develop responsibility for personal digital usage.
• Appreciate the dual role of technology as both a consumer of resources and a tool for sustainability.

European Dimension / Erasmus+ Connection

• Digital & Ecological Citizenship: Linking tech habits to environmental responsibility.
• Transnational Challenges: Comparing data center emissions across different countries.
• Innovation: Encouraging creative technical solutions for green goals.

1. Resources and Tools

Digital Tools:

• Research: ChatGPT (or similar chatbot) for investigating topics.
• Collaboration: Padlet, Google Forms, Mind Mapping tools.
• Game: "Guess the Impact" (matching game).

Materials:

• Tablets/Laptops with internet access.
• Projector for video and presentations.
• Mission Sheets (for group work).

2. Working Methods

• Inquiry-Based Learning: Investigating the hidden costs of digital life.
• Gamification: "Guess the Impact" game to learn CO2 stats.
• Collaborative Problem Solving: designing AI solutions for real-world problems.

Activity Overview

3. Introduction and Motivation

The Invisible Cost

Goal: Visualize the physical side of the internet.

• Video: Watch a short documentary on data centers (e.g., "The hidden cost of your digital life").
• Discussion: "Where does the 'Cloud' actually live?" "Why do data centers need so much water?"

4. Research and Learning

Mini Game: Guess the Impact

Task: Students research and match activities to their carbon footprint.

• Sending an email vs. Training a large AI model.
• Streaming music vs. Playing a video game.
• Tool: Tablets/Laptops and ChatGPT for research.

5. Creative Application

Mission: AI Solutions

Challenge: In teams, invent 2 AI-based solutions to reduce environmental impact in daily life.

Example Prompts:

• "Smart AI to optimize home energy use."
• "AI to reduce food waste in school cafeterias."
• "AI ride-sharing algorithm to reduce traffic."

Output: Create a collaborative Mind Map explaining the solution.

6. Reflection and Evaluation

Presentations & Reflection

• Team Presentations: Groups share their AI solutions. Class discusses feasibility.
• Digital Reflection (Padlet):
  • "What surprised me?"
  • "What action will I take now?" (e.g., reduce streaming quality, delete old data).
• Final Evaluation: Students complete the workshop evaluation form.