The Watt-o-Meter is an engaging activity from the Earth Doctors program where kids, with adult supervision, measure the electricity consumption of various household appliances. Using a simple $14 electricity meter, they test the wattage of around 30 different appliances, such as waffle makers, hair dryers, and speakers, and record the energy usage on appliance cards. After measuring, the kids stick the cards onto a large thermometer, ranking the appliances from the highest to the lowest energy consumers.

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Key Features:

• Hands-On Learning:
  • Kids use an electricity meter to measure real-time wattage of household appliances, learning about energy consumption in a practical way.
• Appliance Ranking:
  • Appliances are ranked on a thermometer based on their energy usage, giving kids a clear visual comparison of which devices consume the most electricity.
• Behavioral Science Approach:
  • The activity uses feedback loops and disclosure theory to help kids understand how electricity moves through their homes and how consumption impacts energy use and emissions.

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The Watt-o-Meter activity is a fun and educational way for kids to gain insights into energy use, making electricity consumption tangible and fostering awareness of how everyday appliances affect environmental impact.