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

Checklist

Home Energy Survey

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Understanding Energy
Lesson Number:
4
Description:

Students will learn how to determine what sources of energy are used in their home. They will determine types of energy used in their home through observation and interviews. This will be documented through a home energy survey sheet that students will...

Energy Content:
Sources of Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will be able to describe the basic principles of various forms of energy and write a detailed description of one of those forms of energy. This written product will include common uses of this form of energy, costs, and basic advantages and disadvantages of using this form of energy.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Field Work,
Research-Primary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Eric Gronseth
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min
Sun

Solar Energy Basics

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Understanding Energy
Lesson Number:
5
Description:

Students will learn the basics of solar power and the difference between photovoltaic solar power and passive solar power. They will also learn the pros and cons of solar power and be able to describe the advantages and disadvantages of using solar power...

Energy Content:
Solar Photovoltaic,
Solar Thermal,
Sources of Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will be able to describe the basic principles of solar power and list advantages and disadvantages of using solar power. Students will be able to distinguish between passive solar and photovoltaic solar power. Students will be able to determine what data from a solar array represents. Students will be able to determine the cause of energy generation trends when observed over longer periods of time.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Research-Primary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Eric Gronseth
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
Math: Graphing & Representation
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min
Kill-a-Watt Meter

Home Energy Use

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Understanding Energy
Lesson Number:
6
Description:

This lesson is meant to provide students the opportunity to learn about the power usage of items in their home that they are already curious about. Students will learn to use a Watt meter to measure the amount of electricity various electric appliances in...

Energy Content:
Electrical Energy,
Energy Efficiency
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will make observations and record about the amount of energy used by various appliances in their home. Students will make conclusions about which items in their home are generating the most energy. Students will make conclusions about methods in which they can reduce the energy used in their homes.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Field Work,
Hands-on Materials,
Research-Primary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Author:
Eric Gronseth
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Vocabulary Development,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min

Observing and Keeping Records

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Understanding Energy
Lesson Number:
7
Description:

Students will review basic scientific observation methods and the importance of keeping and reporting accurate observations. Teacher will discuss with students the different types of variables that they can use in order to gather data and make conclusions...

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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will review scientific observations methods learned earlier and the application of those methods for the solar energy unit. Students will practice observations and data recording. Students will explain the importance of selecting useful variables from which they can collect data. Students will be prepared to implement an experiment in the classroom that they can draw conclusions from.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Establishing a Culture of Science
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Eric Gronseth
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-ESS3-1
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min
Solar Water Heating Experiment

Setting Up the Experiment - Solar Water Heating

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Understanding Energy
Lesson Number:
8
Description:

Students will set up the experiment that they will use to determine the amount of energy from the sun that can be used to heat water and the variables that can help the exchange of heat most effectively. They will accomplish this through setting up simple...

Energy Content:
Solar Thermal,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will use their previous learning about observation and solar power to set up an experiment to determine the amount of heat that can be collected in water containers from the sun. Students will determine three variables that affect the jug’s absorption and trapping of energy from the sun. Students will take data measurements from these set ups in order to make evidence-based conclusions from the experiment.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Establishing a Culture of Science,
Field Work,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Eric Gronseth
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
4-ESS3-1
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min

Passive Solar Water Heating: Collecting and Reporting Data, Making Recommendations

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Understanding Energy
Lesson Number:
9
Description:

Students will explore ways that the sun can be used to heat water and the variables involved in the efficiency of using the sun to heat water for use in homes or businesses. They will determine this through taking measurements of their solar water heaters...

Energy Content:
Solar Thermal,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will identify variables related to the sun heating water such as time of exposure, air temperature, and color of container. Student groups will design and build solar water heater containers using five-gallon water jugs. Students will design containers using color, cover material, and surround as variables. Students will predict which container and location will collect the most heat from the sun.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Establishing a Culture of Science
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Author:
Eric Gronseth
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
4-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Scientific Method

Setting Expectations for Science and Engineering Projects

Grades:
2-5
Unit:
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power
Lesson Number:
1
Description:

Begin this session by setting some ground rules for science discourse. Explain to students that as we work on this unit, and science in general throughout the year, they will be asked to share their thinking about science concepts.

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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Establishing guidelines for the unit; students will also have a better understanding of the scientific method.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Establishing a Culture of Science,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Social-Emotional Learning
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Mike Hellis
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
30 min
Energy Transformations

Probes of Prior Knowledge

Grades:
2-5
Unit:
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power
Lesson Number:
2
Description:

Teacher will administer worksheet probes (formative assessments) of students’ prior knowledge about “making electricity” and “things that run on electricity.”

Energy Content:
Electrical Energy,
Sources of Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will be able to identify the different ways that electrical energy (electricity) is transformed (generated) and identify different everyday items that use electricity.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Establishing a Culture of Science,
Multiple Learning Styles
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Author:
Mike Hellis
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-ESS3-1,
5-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Solar Calculator

Solar Powered Calculator

Grades:
2-5
Unit:
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power
Lesson Number:
3
Description:

The teacher will show an example of a solar powered device using a solar powered calculator.

Energy Content:
Electrical Energy,
Electricity Generation,
Energy Fundamentals,
Solar Photovoltaic
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will be able to explain that some devices use light energy and transform into electrical energy, which powers different devices such as lights.
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Author:
Mike Hellis
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
0 sec
Solar Circuit

A Simple Circuit

Grades:
2-5
Unit:
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power
Lesson Number:
4
Description:

Students make a hypothesis about how a set of materials should be connected in order to make a motor spin. Through guided trial and error students are led to the idea of a circuit as the proper way to connect the materials in order to make the fan turn....

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Solar Photovoltaic
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will be able to draw a simple circuit, label its parts, and show the direction/path that current is flowing.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Establishing a Culture of Science,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Project-Based Learning
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
2: Developing and Using Models
Author:
Mike Hellis
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min

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