Grade 9–10 · Energy & equity
Who Gets the Last Kilowatt?
A blackout hits. Someone has to decide who keeps the lights on.
Term 2 · December–March
Overview
A severe winter storm has knocked out a large share of the power grid. There isn't enough electricity for everyone - hospitals, homes, remote communities, and businesses are all competing for a limited supply. Students take on the role of grid managers and policy advisors, building real allocation models and defending their decisions as the consequences play out live.
How this challenge is structured
See the full week-by-week breakdown ↓
Science (SNC1W) - Circuits, conductors, and efficiency losses - build and test a simple circuit.
Where does electricity actually get wasted?
Math (MTH1W) - Model electricity demand over a day and across a cold week.
How do you predict a peak before it happens?
Geography (CGC1W) - Map Canada's real energy landscape, including remote communities' grid access.
Why do some communities have reliable power and others don't?
English (ENL1W) - Collect user interviews - a hospital administrator, a family, a remote community leader.
Whose voice is usually missing from energy decisions?
History (CHC2D) - Canadian rationing and wartime mobilization as historical precedent.
What made past rationing fair or unfair?
Computer Science (ICD2O) - Explore the shared model grid and how sensor data represents real-time demand.
How would you actually see a grid under strain?
This week produces:
A one-page "grid briefing."
Where each subject shows up
| Subject | In this challenge |
|---|---|
| Science (SNC1W) | Circuits, energy conversion, and efficiency |
| Math (MTH1W) | Rates, optimization, and budgeting |
| Geography (CGC1W) | Canada's energy resources and unequal access to infrastructure |
| English (ENL1W) | User interviews and persuasive emergency communication |
| History (CHC2D) | Rationing and wartime mobilization in Canada |
| Computer Science (ICD2O) | Allocation algorithms and live dashboards |
Ends in…
A live winter-blackout simulation using a shared grid model
Portfolio evidence
A tested allocation model, simulation results, and decision analysis
Real credit
This challenge counts toward SNC1W, MTH1W, CGC1W, ENL1W, CHC2D, and ICD2O - real Ontario high school credits, not just enrichment.
Every challenge is built on Ontario Ministry-recognized courses delivered through TVO ILC on our schedule.
Hard decisions with real stakes - that's where ambitious students learn what their thinking is for.