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Green technology in SPM Science

Green technology questions feel like opinion, and you are unsure what the marker wants.

Green technology asks you to use science to judge choices that affect energy, waste and resources. This page shows how the four skills connect and where to begin.

The cluster sits inside SPM Science. It pairs well with environmental sustainability, which looks at the problems these technologies respond to.

What are the four skills in this cluster?

Each lesson builds on the one before it, so the order below is the order to study.

  1. Classifying green-technology applications: what each application is for.
  2. Comparing energy choices using supplied data: reading a table before choosing.
  3. Explaining resource conservation: reduce, reuse and recycle with reasons.
  4. Evaluating claims using a stated criterion: deciding if a claim is supported.

Then test the cluster with the green technology practice set.

Why does a stated criterion matter?

Take this example. A school says its new bin system is green. Two students are asked to judge the claim.

The first writes “it is good for the environment”, which is an opinion and earns little. The second is given the criterion “less waste sent to landfill” and a table: 300 kg a week before, 210 kg a week after.

The second student calculates 300 − 210 = 90 kg, and 90 ÷ 300 = 30%, then writes “waste to landfill fell by 30%, so the claim is supported for this criterion.” The data and the criterion, not the feeling, decided the answer.

Who should start where?

If you cannot yet sort applications by purpose, begin with lesson one. If you know the examples but freeze when a table appears, begin with lesson two and use the graph evidence and fair-comparison lab.

If your answers sound right but lose marks, go to lesson four. The Science glossary explains the question words.

If you want a teacher to work through the cluster with you, see online one-to-one Science tuition.

Common questions

Is green technology a memorising topic?

Partly. You need a small set of examples and their purpose, but most marks come from using supplied data to compare or judge. Practise quoting numbers and stating the criterion before any conclusion.

What order should I study the four lessons?

Start with classifying applications, then comparing energy choices from data, then explaining resource conservation, and finish with evaluating claims. The last lesson uses the skills from all the earlier ones.

Why do questions say using a stated criterion?

It tells you the rule for judging, such as energy used per hour. Without it, every answer is an opinion. With it, two students looking at the same table reach the same conclusion.

Where can I test myself afterwards?

Use the green technology practice set, then the graph evidence and fair-comparison lab for extra data practice. Note each wrong step in a mistake log to see which skill repeats.

If green technology answers come out as general opinions, one-to-one Science lessons let a teacher train you to state a criterion, quote the data and then decide.

  • Online one-to-one lessons for your child with an experienced teacher.
  • Your first class is a one-hour trial, from RM50. The fee is agreed before you book.
  • Happy with the teacher? Continue with lessons of about 1.5 hours. If not, ask for another teacher.