Probes of Prior Knowledge

Energy Transformations
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power
Intended Grade Level(s):
2-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
electricity
Energy
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
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.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):
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Teacher will administer worksheet probes (formative assessments) of students’ prior knowledge about “making electricity” and “things that run on electricity.” View full description >>

Setting Expectations for Science and Engineering Projects

Scientific Method
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power
Intended Grade Level(s):
2-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science inquiry
scientific method
Estimated Activity Length:
30 min
Learning Goal(s):

Establishing guidelines for the unit; students will also have a better understanding of the scientific method.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):
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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. View full description >>

Using Multiple Solar Modules

Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Introducing Solar Energy
Intended Grade Level(s):
3-5
Estimated Activity Length:
3 hours
Learning Goal(s):

Students will apply scientific ideas to design and test a solar powered water pump that moves water at the fastest rate. Students will experiment and build understanding of parallel and series wiring and how energy moves in these circuits. Students will record data accurately into a table.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):

Students first explore with 0.5 Volt solar cells to see whether adding cells to a circuit increases the amount of water pumped by a small pump. They are introduced to parallel and series wiring. They then design and carry out a formal experiment to test their ideas. This lesson may be used with minor modifications to fulfill Oregon’s Science... View full description >>

Exploring Solar Powered Water Pumps

Kidwind Small Water Pump
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Introducing Solar Energy
Intended Grade Level(s):
3-5
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
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.

Students explore with a solar cell and a pump to discover how to make the pump run. They will hypothesize and informally test whether they can make the pump run faster or slower.

  View full description >>

Energy Changes Forms

Reading Concept Map
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Introducing Solar Energy
Intended Grade Level(s):
3-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
ELA
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Learning Goal(s):

Students will understand that energy changes form. Students will be able to name different forms of energy and give examples of some of the transformations of energy that commonly occur. Students will find details and examples in informational text.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):

Students read informational text about the forms of energy and energy transformation. They use a graphic organizer in the form of a concept map to take notes on details and examples. Optional – using solar beads, solicit ideas about what energy transformation might be occurring that cause the beads to change color. View full description >>

What is Renewable Energy?

Sources of Energy
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Introducing Solar Energy
Intended Grade Level(s):
3-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
ELA
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours
Learning Goal(s):

Students will be able to list and describe the main natural resources that people get energy from. Students will be able to describe the affect the use of different sources of energy has on the environment. Students will be able to describe the advantage of renewable sources of energy.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):

Students learn about renewable energy sources through a read-aloud of Loreen Leedy’s The Shocking Truth about Energy. Students use Internet sources to obtain more information about alternate sources of energy. They complete a reflection to synthesize the information they have gathered. View full description >>

Hypothesizing Why Solar Beads Change Color

UV Color Changing Beads
Average Rating:
5
Unit:
Introducing Solar Energy
Intended Grade Level(s):
3-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
solar energy
Energy
wavelengths of light
Estimated Activity Length:
30 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will be introduced to the vocabulary of observation, hypothesis, and evidence. Students will use the process of science discourse where people respectfully listen and disagree with each other’s ideas.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):
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The purpose of this activity is to introduce the idea that sunlight is energy and that this energy can be absorbed, converted into heat, or even cause a chemical reaction to occur. This lesson is also an introduction to the process of science, involving observation, hypothesis, testing, introducing evidence and respectfully listening to... View full description >>

Nez Perce Tribal Fish Hatchery

Location:
Juliaetta, ID
Grade Level:
K-12
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
10.00 - kilowatts

In February 2015 the Nez Perce Tribe completed a 10kW PV demonstration system at the Tribal Hatchery Complex in Juliaetta, Idaho. As a Renewable Facility, this project will function as an ongoing community education tool by teachers in four area school districts to supplement sustainability education for students throughout the Nez Perce region.



Solar 4R Schools provided a renewable energy teacher training workshop to area teachers along with customized, durable science kits for four school districts valued at approximately $12,000. Teachers at each participating school... Read full project narrative >>

Funhouse Commons

Location:
Eastsound, WA
Grade Level:
K-12
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
12.00 - kilowatts

Located in Eastsound, WA, on Orcas Island, The Funhouse Commons was founded by local activists in the spring of 1999. The Funhouse is a youth-oriented community center that fosters educational play with hands-on science exhibits, computer-based labs, and art and entertainment facilities. The Funhouse also provides many important social services aimed at the most vulnerable children in the community. The facility was designed to be a hands-on children's science museum. Science and sustainability topics are core to education programs at the Funhouse. Each year, Funhouse Commons hosts an... Read full project narrative >>

Crestline Elementary

Location:
Vancouver, WA
Grade Level:
K-5
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
12.00 - kilowatts

As a Renewable School, Crestline Elementary School is demonstrating its commitment to sustainable living and a clean energy future. Thanks to support from Clark Public Utilities, the school is generating renewable solar energy through their 12-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system, and leveraging the system's performance data as an interactive, real-world educational tool to bring energy topics to life in their classrooms. A wall-mounted, interactive... Read full project narrative >>

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