The Hidden Cost
of the Cloud
A digital environmental literacy course that teaches students what the internet is actually made of, and what it costs the planet.
Modules
Year Levels
Total Time
Pathways
Edition
About the Course
Most students use AI daily. Very few know that a single AI image uses as much electricity as charging a laptop for a full day, or that Australia's data centres will consume up to 15% of our national electricity grid by 2030.
The Hidden Cost of the Cloud closes that gap. Eight self-contained modules take students from "what is a data centre?" through to critically analysing corporate sustainability claims, understanding Australia's position in the global digital economy, and developing a framework for informed digital citizenship.
Built with branching pathways that adapt to where each student is starting from. A diagnostic quiz places students on the right level from the outset, and every module includes video, student content, activities, and knowledge checks — so no two students have to take the same route through the material.
Two differentiated pathways
A diagnostic quiz routes students to Years 7–8 or Years 11–12 pathway. Year 9–10 students follow the senior pathway with teacher support.
Australian context throughout
Every module is grounded in Australian data, legislation, and industry, including NABERS ratings, Queensland's renewable energy targets, AWS's $20B investment, and more.
Statistics updated annually
AI energy data changes fast. Your licence includes an annual update. Involving students in reviewing new stats is itself a built-in learning activity.
Ready to deliver, day one
Video scripts, slide decks, teacher cards, student worksheets, quizzes, and a final assessment task. Everything a teacher needs is already built.
8 Modules. One big question each.
MOD · 01
The Cloud Has a Body
What is the internet actually made of?
◷ 45–60 min
MOD · 02
The Carbon Cost of a Click
Does it matter what I click?
◷ 45–60 min
MOD · 03
Thirsty Algorithms
Why does AI need water?
◷ 45–60 min
MOD · 04
The Invisible Engine
Where does all the power come from?
◷ 60 min
MOD · 05
From Chips to Landfill
What happens to old tech?
◷ 60 min
MOD · 06
Australia in the Frame
What does this mean for us?
◷ 60 min
MOD · 07
Digital Sobriety
What can I actually do?
◷ 45–60 min
MOD · 08
Future-Proofing the Digital World
What comes next?
◷ 60–75 min
Built for teachers. Designed for students.
Digital Technologies
Directly addresses Systems Thinking, Data and Information, and Impacts of Digital Technologies across Years 7–10. Module 2 onwards covers AI infrastructure in depth.
Geography & Earth Science
Modules 4–6 connect directly to Sustainability and Environmental Change, Ecosystem Dynamics, and Human Impacts. Strong Queensland and Australian case studies throughout.
Library & Digital Literacy
Ideal for school library programs, digital citizenship units, and student wellbeing initiatives. The diagnostic quiz and branching pathways make it easy to use across year levels without differentiation prep.
Australian Curriculum aligned. ACARA ready.
Full curriculum mapping document included with every licence. Designed for Queensland state and independent schools.
What's Included
No prep time required. Every resource is production-ready and branded consistently across all 8 modules.
Request the complete Module 1 pack (video script, slide deck, teacher card, student worksheet, quiz) with no obligation.
One course. Every student. Two ways to pay.
One licence for individual teachers. One for schools — sized to your enrolment. All licences include both year-level pathways, all 8 modules, teacher resources, and annual statistics updates. No per-module fees, no hidden costs.
Single Teacher
per year
One teacher, one classroom. Perfect for trying the course before a whole-school rollout.
Includes
- All 8 modules + teacher resources
- Both year-level pathways (Years 7–8 and 11–12)
- Annual statistics update
- One classroom licence
Whole School
per enrolled student / year · capped at $3,500 per school
Priced per enrolled student. Pay only for your school size — with a cap so large schools are never penalised.
Includes everything in Single Teacher, plus
- Unlimited teacher access
- Curriculum mapping document
- Australian Curriculum alignment notes
Examples: 100 students → $1,500 · 200 students → $3,000 · 300+ students → $3,500
Get StartedSchool Network
per enrolled student / year · capped at $2,000 per school · minimum 3 schools
For clusters, networks, and dioceses.
Includes everything in Whole School, plus
- Centralised billing
- Network coordinator access
- Priority support
- Custom onboarding session
What’s included in every school licence
FAQ
What counts as an “enrolled student”? expand_more
Your school’s total enrolment — not just the students who will use the course. This keeps billing simple. There's no usage metering or per-student login required.
Do I need my exact enrolment to get started? expand_more
A rough figure is fine. Most schools round to the nearest 100. If you're unsure, get in touch and we'll work it out.
Can individual teachers purchase without the school? expand_more
Yes. The Single Teacher licence covers one teacher and one classroom. If you bring the whole school on board later, your payment can be credited toward a school licence.
How does network pricing work? expand_more
Contact us for a quote. We apply the discounted rate to each school's enrolment and provide a single invoice. Minimum 3 schools required.
Are statistics really updated every year? expand_more
Yes. We publish updated figures every February, timed to the start of the Australian school year. Active licences receive updates automatically.
Can we use this across multiple subjects? expand_more
Yes. The course maps to Digital Technologies, HASS, Science, and the Sustainability cross-curriculum priority. One school licence covers all teacher use across all subjects.
Annual licence · cancel any time · invoice available for school purchase orders
Statistics current as of February 2026 · Australian Curriculum aligned · Years 7–12
Request info or
Module 1 free.
Whether you want the free module, a quote for your school, or just want to ask a question, fill in the form and Sandra will get back to you within one business day.