Solar Circuit

Variables Affecting Solar Power

Grades:
7-8
Unit:
Solar vs. Wind Energy
Lesson Number:
6
Description:

Students will plan and condict an investigation into solar photovoltaic technologies to determine what variables affect the output of panels. They will calculate and compare their exploration of solar panels to their previous investigation of wind turbines...

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electricity Generation,
Solar Photovoltaic
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
• Students will be able to identify and explain at least three variables that effect the efficiency of photovoltaic cells • Students will conduct a scientific investigation to determine which photovoltaic cell configuration will generate the most power.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Craig Marais
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-ETS1-2,
MS-PS3-1,
MS-PS3-4
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours

Cost Effective Solar Cells: Copper Oxide Cell Data Sharing

Grades:
9-12
Unit:
Cost Effective Solar Cells
Lesson Number:
6
Description:

This lesson is designed to be completed in one 40-minute section. The teacher will facilitate the sharing of student solar cell data from indoor and outdoor testing through a gallery walk session. Variables such as lighting, photovoltaic effect, copper...

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electricity and Magnetism,
Electricity Generation,
Electrons,
Energy Fundamentals,
Solar Photovoltaic,
Sources of Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will share and analyze oxidized copper sheet solar cell data
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
English Language Strategies,
Engineering Design,
Establishing a Culture of Science
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Tom Wolverton
Relevant NGSS PE:
HS-PS1-2,
HS-PS2-6,
HS-PS3-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Car Charger Schematic

Designing a Solar Phone Charger

Grades:
7-12
Unit:
Off the Grid
Lesson Number:
7
Description:

This is the culminating activity for the unit “Off the Grid.” Students will be given some restricted parameters around which to design a solar powered battery operated phone (or other USB device) charger . They will charge the AA battery packs that have...

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Solar Photovoltaic
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
1. Students will be able to design a device that can charge a phone with 4 hours of sun a day. 2. Students will use collected data and be able to support their design – i.e. the data will show that the unit will produce enough energy to charge a phone given it receives 4 hours of sun a day. 3. Students will also be able to calculate efficiency from their power calculations. 4. Students will be able to compare efficiencies of their circuit to others tested in this unit. 5. Students can calculate how much energy 4 hours of sunlight can produce on the solar modules they will use.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
2: Developing and Using Models,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,
5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Author:
Brett McFarland
Relevant NGSS PE:
HS-ETS1-2,
HS-ETS1-3,
HS-PS3-1,
HS-PS3-3
Other Subjects Covered:
Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
5 hours

Building Solar Boats

Grades:
4-6
Unit:
Solar Boats
Lesson Number:
7
Description:

Students will follow step-by-step instructions to build their solar boats. They will troubleshoot as necessary by making sure electricity flows into the motor to make the vehicles move by propeller or gears. They will be using their planned investigations...

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Solar Photovoltaic
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will follow step-by-step instructions to build their solar boats. They will troubleshoot as necessary by making sure electricity flows into the motor to make the vehicles move by propeller or gears. Students will determine different data points that are useful in the determining the most effective design for a solar powered boat. Students will undergo the process of redesign, noting why they made changes to particular variables on their boat and noting how these changes played out.
Pedagogy & Practice:
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
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Kidwind Small Water Pump

Designing a Faster Water Pump

Grades:
2-5
Unit:
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power
Lesson Number:
7
Description:

Students use all their prior knowledge to design and construct a water pump that can pump 1 cup of water the fastest.

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Solar Photovoltaic
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will be able to use available tools to design and test a solar water pump, refine their design, test and finally evaluate their efforts. Through this process students will understand and gain experience with the engineering design process.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Project-Based Learning
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
2: Developing and Using Models,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Author:
Mike Hellis
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Writing,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour

Cost Effective Solar Cells: Titanium Dioxide Solar Cell Construction and Testing

Grades:
9-12
Unit:
Cost Effective Solar Cells
Lesson Number:
7
Description:

This lesson is designed to be completed in two 80-minute sections. The teacher will show a basic procedure and video. The teacher will facilitate the construction of Organic Dye-Sensitized solar cells on coated glass plates with Titanium Dioxide. A fume...

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electricity and Magnetism,
Electricity Generation,
Electrons,
Energy Fundamentals,
Materials Science,
Solar Photovoltaic,
Sources of Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will construct titanium dioxide coated “raspberry juice” solar cellsStudents will test titanium dioxide coated “raspberry juice” solar cells under various conditions 
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
Engineering Design,
Establishing a Culture of Science,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Multiple Learning Styles
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
2: Developing and Using Models,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Author:
Tom Wolverton
Relevant NGSS PE:
HS-PS1-2,
HS-PS2-6,
HS-PS3-3
Estimated Activity Length:
3 hours

Cost Effective Solar Cells: Titanium Dioxide Raspberry Solar Cell Data Sharing

Grades:
9-12
Unit:
Cost Effective Solar Cells
Lesson Number:
8
Description:

This lesson is designed to be completed in one 80-minute section. The teacher will facilitate the sharing of student titanium dioxide solar cell results with emphasis on variables during data collection. Teachers will demonstrate spreadsheet sorting for...

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electricity Generation,
Electrons,
Solar Photovoltaic,
Sources of Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will collect and analyze titanium dioxide coated “raspberry juice” solar cell data.Students will discuss results and draw conclusions about variables that may affect power generation.
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
English Language Strategies,
Engineering Design,
Project-Based Learning,
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Tom Wolverton
Relevant NGSS PE:
HS-PS1-2,
HS-PS2-6,
HS-PS3-3
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours

Cost Effective Solar Cells: Solar Cell Manufacturing Field Trip and/or Guest Speaker

Grades:
9-12
Unit:
Cost Effective Solar Cells
Lesson Number:
9
Description:

This lesson is designed to be completed in two 80-minute sections. The teacher will facilitate a field trip to a nearby silicon manufacturing facility, solar panel manufacturing facility, or other semiconductor facility. These facilities often require...

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electrical Grid (Transmission & Distribution),
Electricity and Magnetism,
Electricity Generation,
Electrons,
Energy Fundamentals,
Materials Science,
Solar Photovoltaic
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will visit a solar cell or silicon manufacturing facility and/or engage with guest speakers.Students will learn more detailed solar cell principles and manufacturing techniques involved in solar cell construction.
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development
Author:
Tom Wolverton
Relevant NGSS PE:
HS-PS1-2,
HS-PS2-6,
HS-PS3-3
Estimated Activity Length:
3 hours

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