Year 5 Powers Up: A High-Voltage Day of Learning at ElectroBroc

At International School of Lausanne (ISL), we believe in learning that extends beyond the classroom—where students can explore the real-world impact of the concepts they study. Last month, our Year 5 students had the opportunity to do exactly that, as they embarked on an exciting, high-energy excursion to ElectroBroc, a power station and educational centre in Fribourg. The trip was directly linked to their current Unit of Inquiry on energy, part of the Primary Years Programme (PYP), specifically about energy generation, use, and conservation.

From Inquiry to Immersion: Connecting the Dots

In class, Year 5 students have been investigating renewable and non-renewable energy sources, their environmental impact, and how energy consumption can be reduced. “We have been learning about sources of energy in our local community and globally,” explained Ms Manifacier, Year 5 teacher. “This visit gave our students the opportunity to anchor that learning in real-life observations.”

During the visit, students discovered a variety of energy sources—from hydropower and solar to nuclear and biomass—and saw first-hand how turbines work, how energy is transmitted, and how everyday actions at home relate to global energy challenges. “It makes them think about how they can take action to reduce their energy use,” added Ms Khattar. “They understand their carbon footprint in a much more tangible way now.”

Loud, Bright, and Unforgettable

One of the most memorable parts of the visit was the high-voltage electricity experiment. “The most exciting part was the experiments,” said Millie. “There were so many noises, and it was dark. I loved that part!” Amelia agreed, describing it as “kind of scary, but amazing.” Students watched in awe as lightning-like sparks flew through the air and powerful currents remained safely contained behind glass. “It was loud, but exciting,” Ally shared.

For others, the visualisation of energy flow and sources made a lasting impression. “I really loved the experiments,” said Devi, “but I also liked when we saw the pillars with all the energy sources and talked about them.” Dyuthi was fascinated by the turbines: “My favourite part was seeing the different types of turbines and that film where the train passed.”

Surprising Facts and New Discoveries

The visit also sparked a sense of wonder and curiosity. “I did not know that cow poop could make electricity,” laughed Knox, while Uri remarked, “I did not realise it is harder to preserve electricity than produce it.” Jack was surprised to learn that a family of two needs 400 kg of coal for just six months, and Bautista discovered that Switzerland has only 50 wind turbines.

These real-world facts deepened students’ understanding of scale, consumption, and impact. “It was shocking to learn that 5,000 litres of water go through a pipe per second to power turbines,” said Chiara. Ava added, “Switzerland was the first country in Europe to build a hydroelectric dam—who knew?”

Other students were fascinated by the unexpected properties of electricity—Maxime and Nico were surprised to see lightning contained safely in glass, while Arya found the loud lightning experiment both exciting and fun. Leonid also added an important fact: wind turbines account for just 0.2% of Switzerland’s energy production.

From the Classroom to the Field—and Back Again

According to Ms Foof, one of the accompanying teachers, “It is sometimes difficult to find field trips that truly connect to what students are learning. But this one was perfect. The students were engaged, asking great questions, and making real-world connections to what we have been studying at school.”

This aligns perfectly with ISL’s mission to foster inquiry-based learning, environmental awareness, and global citizenship. Students had previously researched different types of energy and presented their findings to their peers. “Each child had already explored one type of energy—wind, nuclear, geothermal, coal, and more—so they were well prepared to engage with what they saw,” explained Ms Manifacier.

More Than Just a Day Out

While the trip was filled with exciting moments, its impact went far beyond entertainment. Students left ElectroBroc with a deeper understanding of their role in the global energy puzzle—and a renewed sense of responsibility. They returned to the classroom with a heightened awareness of how everyday choices—like unplugging devices on standby or taking shorter showers—can make a real difference in energy consumption.

As Emmett put it simply, “Field trips are fun, and they help you learn new stuff.” That is exactly what happened at ElectroBroc: a fun, meaningful, and curriculum-aligned experience that brought science, sustainability, and curiosity to life.