Electrical Energy

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will make observations about how a solar cell needs to be set up to push water through a pump and hypothesize about how energy is changing form as the pump runs.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Hands-on Materials

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

A Community Powered by Renewable Energy

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,

7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence

Author:

Leah Gorman

Relevant NGSS PE:

4-PS3-2

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Speaking & Listening,

ELA: Writing

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Part 2 - Lesson 1: Renewable Energy Panel

Grades:

6-12

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will meet with local planners or other available energy experts to discuss public policy regarding the use of wind turbines and solar arrays to generate electricity. Students develop questions for a panel of professionals regarding considerations...

Energy Content:

Electrical Grid (Transmission & Distribution),

Microgrids,

Solar Photovoltaic,

Sources of Energy,

Wind Energy

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

1.Students will gain background information regarding the limitations of having and wind and solar generating infrastructure within city and county limits, including environmental, aesthetic, and cultural considerations. 2.Students will compile criteria for placement of wind and solar energy sources.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Empathetic Engineering,

Establishing a Culture of Science,

Multiple Learning Styles,

Phenomena-Driven Instruction,

Place-Based Learning,

Project-Based Learning,

Research-Primary

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

Adrift in a Sea of Plastic

3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Jonathan Strunin

Relevant NGSS PE:

HS-ESS3-2

Other Subjects Covered:

Environmental Sciences,

CTE: Career & Technical Education,

Social Sciences: Analysis,

Social Sciences: Civics,

Social Sciences: Geography

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Design and Engineer Solutions

Grades:

5-8

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

This lesson is designed to span 9 days with 50-minute sessions. The students will use a Design and Engineering Journal to guide them in the design and engineering process. In small groups they will use the research from lesson 2 to formulate solutions to...

Energy Content:

Materials Science,

Next Generation Manufacturing,

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will take part in the engineering design process.Students will use problem solving skills to make changes to designs.Students will use speaking and listening skills to give presentations and listen to others give their presentation.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Culturally Sustaining,

English Language Strategies,

Establishing a Culture of Science,

Hands-on Materials,

Phenomena-Driven Instruction,

Project-Based Learning,

Research-Secondary,

STEAM/Arts

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

Cost Effective Solar Cells

2: Developing and Using Models,

3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,

4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,

5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,

7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence,

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Jonathan Strunin

Relevant NGSS PE:

5-ESS3-1,

3-5-ETS1-1,

3-5-ETS1-2,

3-5-ETS1-3,

MS-ESS3-3,

MS-ETS1-1,

MS-ETS1-2,

MS-ETS1-3

Other Subjects Covered:

Computer Science,

Environmental Sciences,

ELA: Speaking & Listening,

Math: Geometry,

Math: Graphing & Representation,

Math: Measurement

Estimated Activity Length:

7 hours

Cost Effective Solar Cells: Solar Panel Data Sharing

Grades:

9-12

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

This lesson is designed to be completed in one 40-minute section. The teacher will facilitate the sharing of student solar panel data from indoor and outdoor testing with fans, music circuits, LEDs and any other combinations that were constructed. Teachers...

Energy Content:

Electrons,

Energy Fundamentals,

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will analyze and share out power generation results with classmates

Pedagogy & Practice:

Project-Based Learning

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Tom Wolverton

Relevant NGSS PE:

HS-PS1-2,

HS-PS2-6,

HS-PS3-3

Estimated Activity Length:

0 sec

Variables Affecting Wind Turbine Power

Grades:

7-8

Unit:

Solar vs. Wind Energy

Lesson Number:

Description:

Now that students are familiar with how mechanical electricity generation works, they will build a wind turbine powered by a box fan. Different teams will test different turbine variables to see how the amount of electrical power is affected. After each...

Energy Content:

Wind Energy

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

• Students will be able to identify and explain at least three variables that affect the efficiency of wind turbines • Students will conduct a scientific investigation to determine which wind turbine configuration will generate the most power

Pedagogy & Practice:

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,

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:

4 hours

How to Measure Output of Solar Modules

Grades:

4-6

Unit:

Solar Boats

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will measure output from solar module before a load is attached and relate it to real world output. They will make these measurements using a multimeter and be able to determine the optimal angle at which their module generates a current flow....

Energy Content:

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will demonstrate that solar modules create electricity when light strikes the module. Students will determine the optimum angle for the generation of current by a solar cell when given a light source (indoors or outdoors using the sun). Students will be able to effectively use a digital multimeter to measure current and voltage produced by a solar cell.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Hands-on Materials

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

Author:

Carol Patrick

Relevant NGSS PE:

4-PS3-2

Other Subjects Covered:

Math: Measurement

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Solar SPRK+: Chariot Engineering Design

Grades:

6-8

Unit:

Solar SPRK+

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will work through the engineering design process to build a chariot for their SPRK+ that will carry their solar panels through a maze to a charging station. Students will draft prototypes, test their designs, and make changes to their design based...

Energy Content:

Electronics,

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will identify possible design solutions to have a Sphero SPRK+ pull solar panels as a portable power source.Students will work in groups to determine the best possible designs and construct and test these designs with their team.Students will determine the strengths and weaknesses of each design and incorporate these findings into further construction phases.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Hands-on Materials,

Project-Based Learning

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Author:

Deb Frankel

Relevant NGSS PE:

MS-ETS1-1,

MS-ETS1-2,

MS-ETS1-3

Other Subjects Covered:

Computer Science

Estimated Activity Length:

2 hours

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:

Electronics,

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

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

Pedagogy & Practice:

Hands-on Materials,

Project-Based Learning

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

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

Photovoltaic Solutions "Shark-Tank Style"

Grades:

10-12

Unit:

Solar Transportation

Lesson Number:

Description:

In this lesson, the students will take their knowledge gained in the previous activities to innovate design solutions that will allow PV technology to plan an increased role in the transportation sector. The challenge given to them is to design a BEV that...

Energy Content:

Batteries & Storage,

Solar Photovoltaic,

Transportation

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

1. Students will use data and mathematics to design a solution for using PV technology in the transportation sector. 2. Students will create a presentation with visuals and specs outlining their proposed solution. 3. Students will present and attempt to “sell” their products to a panel of judges.

Pedagogy & Practice: