To see descriptions of all available curriculum by grade level, click here. To download a PDF of all available units, click here.

Solar Boat Race

Collect Data and Compare Performance of Different Boat Designs

Grades:
4-6
Unit:
Solar Boats
Lesson Number:
8
Description:

Students will race the solar speedboats, airboats, and surface submarines and then compare the performance results and of the various types of solar boats made by the class. Students will compare and contrast forces acting on the system by examining the...

Energy Content:
Electrical Energy,
Solar Photovoltaic
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will compare and contrast forces acting on the system by examining the results of the airboat, speedboat and surface submarine races. Students will collect quantitative and qualitative data points that denote the effectiveness of each boat design. Students will compare observations made during the race and draw conclusions from these observations.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Carol Patrick
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
0 sec
Solar Boat Race

Analyze Data and Develop Conclusions

Grades:
4-6
Unit:
Solar Boats
Lesson Number:
9
Description:

Students have performed the investigation. They will now analyze their data, refer to their initial predictions, and develop their conclusions. Students will have the opportunity to discuss the usefulness of both quantitative and qualitative data forms,...

Energy Content:
Electrical Energy,
Solar Photovoltaic
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will analyze data from the solar boat races and develop conclusions. Students will write out their conclusions in a clear, articulate manner that demonstrates the usage of evidence from their own observations. Students will determine specific uses for quantitative vs. qualitative data in science experiments.
Pedagogy & Practice:
English Language Strategies
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,
5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Carol Patrick
Relevant NGSS PE:
5-PS2-1,
5-PS3-1,
5-LS2-1,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
0 sec
2-wheel-driveSolarCar_IMG_4600.jpg

Solar Car Challenge: Introduction of the Problem

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
Solar Car Challenge
Lesson Number:
1
Description:

Students will play around with the solar car kits to familiarize themselves with the materials in preparation for the solar car engineering challenge.

Energy Content:
Solar Photovoltaic
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
To introduce students to the problem that this project will attempt to solve: building a solar car that will go straight, far, and fast to win a race.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Author:
Karen Nelson
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-ESS3-3,
MS-ETS1-1,
MS-ETS1-2
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours
Solar Car Student

Solar Car Challenge: Criteria, Constraints and Background

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
Solar Car Challenge
Lesson Number:
2
Description:

Students will play around with the solar car kits to familiarize themselves with the materials in preparation for the solar car engineering challenge.

Energy Content:
Solar Photovoltaic
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
To introduce students to the problem that this project will attempt to solve: building a solar car that will go straight, far, and fast to win a race.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems
Author:
Karen Nelson
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Solar Car Student

Solar Car Challenge: Background Research on Car Design

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
Solar Car Challenge
Lesson Number:
3
Description:

Students will play around with the solar car kits to familiarize themselves with the materials in preparation for the solar car engineering challenge.

Energy Content:
Solar Photovoltaic
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
To introduce students to the problem that this project will attempt to solve: building a solar car that will go straight, far, and fast to win a race.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Karen Nelson
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-ESS3-3,
MS-ETS1-1,
MS-ETS1-2,
MS-ETS1-3,
MS-ETS1-4
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text,
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Solar Car Student

Solar Car Challenge: Team Brainstorm

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
Solar Car Challenge
Lesson Number:
4
Description:

Students will play around with the solar car kits to familiarize themselves with the materials in preparation for the solar car engineering challenge.

Energy Content:
Solar Photovoltaic
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
To introduce students to the problem that this project will attempt to solve: building a solar car that will go straight, far, and fast to win a race.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Establishing a Culture of Science,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
STEAM/Arts
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
2: Developing and Using Models
Author:
Karen Nelson
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-ESS3-3,
MS-ETS1-1,
MS-ETS1-2,
MS-ETS1-3,
MS-ETS1-4
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Solar Car Student

Solar Car Challenge: Develop Your Solution

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
Solar Car Challenge
Lesson Number:
5
Description:

Students will play around with the solar car kits to familiarize themselves with the materials in preparation for the solar car engineering challenge.

Energy Content:
Solar Photovoltaic
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
To introduce students to the problem that this project will attempt to solve: building a solar car that will go straight, far, and fast to win a race.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Author:
Karen Nelson
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-ESS3-3,
MS-ETS1-1,
MS-ETS1-2,
MS-ETS1-3,
MS-ETS1-4
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Solar Car Student

Solar Car Challenge: Test Your Solution

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
Solar Car Challenge
Lesson Number:
6
Description:

Students will play around with the solar car kits to familiarize themselves with the materials in preparation for the solar car engineering challenge.

Energy Content:
Solar Photovoltaic
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
To introduce students to the problem that this project will attempt to solve: building a solar car that will go straight, far, and fast to win a race.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Author:
Karen Nelson
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-ESS3-3,
MS-ETS1-1,
MS-ETS1-2,
MS-ETS1-3,
MS-ETS1-4
Other Subjects Covered:
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Solar Car Student

Solar Car Challenge: Solutions Briefing

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
Solar Car Challenge
Lesson Number:
7
Description:

Students will play around with the solar car kits to familiarize themselves with the materials in preparation for the solar car engineering challenge.

+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
To introduce students to the problem that this project will attempt to solve: building a solar car that will go straight, far, and fast to win a race.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Establishing a Culture of Science,
Group Work/Collaboration
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Karen Nelson
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-ESS3-3,
MS-ETS1-1,
MS-ETS1-2,
MS-ETS1-3,
MS-ETS1-4
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Solar Car Student

Solar Car Challenge: Redesigning Your Solution & Results of the Design Process Activity

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
Solar Car Challenge
Lesson Number:
8
Description:

Students will play around with the solar car kits to familiarize themselves with the materials in preparation for the solar car engineering challenge.

Energy Content:
Solar Photovoltaic
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
To introduce students to the problem that this project will attempt to solve: building a solar car that will go straight, far, and fast to win a race.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Establishing a Culture of Science,
Group Work/Collaboration
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Author:
Karen Nelson
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-ESS3-3,
MS-ETS1-1,
MS-ETS1-2,
MS-ETS1-3,
MS-ETS1-4
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours

Pages