9-10.RST.3

Circuit Analysis With Solar Energy: Measure the Power Consumed by Various Devices

Grades:

6-12

Description:

Students will set up a simple circuit using a solar module and three small loads. They will then use a multimeter to measure the voltage across each load and the current through each circuit. Students will then calculate the power consumption and...

Energy Content:

Circuitry,

Electrical Energy,

Solar Photovoltaic

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will understand that voltage is a measure of a difference in electric potential energy and that current is the rate at which charge flows through a circuit. Students will understand how to measure and quantify electricity. Students will become familiar with the relationships between the fundamental electrical quantities.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Establishing a Culture of Science,

Hands-on Materials

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,

4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,

5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Author:

Emily Barrett

Relevant NGSS PE:

4-PS3-2,

4-PS3-4,

MS-PS2-3,

HS-PS3-1,

HS-PS3-2,

HS-PS3-5

Other Subjects Covered:

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,

Math: Measurement

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Creating a Light-Tracking Servo

Grades:

9-12

Unit:

Robotic Sunflower

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will learn how to program the Basic Stamp to use information from two photoresistors to point a servo at a light source. This will be the first degree of freedom for the flower head.

Energy Content:

Circuitry,

Electrical Energy,

Electronics,

Light (Visible)

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will synthesize the previous lesson for light metering and servo control to design a servo controlled by two photoresistors that will track a light source.

Pedagogy & Practice:

21st Century Skills Development,

Engineering Design,

Group Work/Collaboration,

Project-Based Learning

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,

5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

Author:

Pat Blount

Relevant NGSS PE:

HS-ETS1-1,

HS-ETS1-2,

HS-ETS1-3,

HS-PS3-1,

HS-PS3-3

Other Subjects Covered:

Computer Science

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Dual Axis Light Tracking

Grades:

9-12

Unit:

Robotic Sunflower

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will take the previous lesson and apply them in creating a light tracker with two degrees of freedom. The axis of rotation will be about the horizontal and vertical. Teams will have everything they need to make this build work. They have already...

Energy Content:

Circuitry,

Electrical Energy,

Electronics,

Light (Visible)

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will create a solar tracker with two degrees of freedom.

Pedagogy & Practice:

21st Century Skills Development,

Group Work/Collaboration,

Hands-on Materials,

Project-Based Learning

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

Author:

Pat Blount

Relevant NGSS PE:

HS-ETS1-1,

HS-ETS1-2,

HS-ETS1-3,

HS-PS3-1,

HS-PS3-3

Other Subjects Covered:

Computer Science

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Integrating Solar Power

Grades:

9-12

Unit:

Robotic Sunflower

Lesson Number:

Description:

At this point students should have a working robotic sunflower that will track the sun with 2 degrees of freedom. This next lesson powers the whole system with a photovoltaic module. A Zener diode is used to charge a 6V motorcycle battery which then...

Energy Content:

Circuitry,

Electrical Energy,

Electronics,

Solar Photovoltaic

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will create voltage regulator and construct a solar battery charger.

Pedagogy & Practice:

21st Century Skills Development,

Group Work/Collaboration,

Hands-on Materials,