Laurelhurst School - PGE

Location:
Portland, OR
Grade Level:
K-8
Technology Type:
PV System Size:
108.90 - kilowatts

The Portland Public Schools PGE Solar Roofs Partnership STEAM Education project is a large effort over several years with a variety of partners in both energy and education sectors to expand solar production and augment STEM/STEAM education. In 2015, the Portland General Electric Renewable Development Fund, comprised of contributions from PGE Renewable Power customers, in partnership with Portland Public... Read full project narrative >>

Simple Solar Tracker

Solar Tracker
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-12
Subject Area(s) Covered:
physics
electronics
solar power
Engineering
engineering design process
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours
Learning Goal(s):

Students observe and replicate a simple solar tracker. Students will learn basic electric circuits and terminology. Students will reflect on possible improvements for solar tracker. Students will reflect on how the engineering design process is used daily.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):

Students will be shown a working example of a solar tracker and asked to replicate the design based on their observations. The design incorporates four solar cells arranged in two arrays with each array reverse biased such that they generate a voltage that opposes the other. Whichever array receives the most light will generate more voltage... View full description >>

Individual Independent Projects

Earth Sun
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
3-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Individual projects
student research
solar energy
sun
Estimated Activity Length:
10 hours
Learning Goal(s):

Students will plan, gather research materials and create a project of their choice. In doing so student will learn proper research methods (i.e., reliable sources) and how to categorize and translate information. In addition students will become comfortable and familiar presenting information to others. Lastly, students will also learn how to create a rubric for self evaluation.

The purpose of this lesson is to allow students to choose an area of interest regarding solar power and research it further in a manner of their choice. Students will produce a final product to display or share at the “Salute to the Sun” culminating event at the end of the school year. View full description >>

Build the Ultimate Solar Oven

Wadsworth OH thumbnail
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
3-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Solar ovens
heat
thermal transfer
Estimated Activity Length:
10 hours
Learning Goal(s):

At the end of this lesson students will be able to: plan, sketch, design and build a new solar oven. In addition, students will be able to cook food with their solar oven.

The purpose of this lesson is to take everything the students have learned and experienced up to this point and use it to build their own Ultimate Solar Oven using items found at school, home, the Dollar store or home improvement store for under 5 dollars. This lesson can be used for the whole class, partners or individuals. View full description >>

Let’s Get Cooking!

Wadsworth OH thumbnail
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
solar energy
energy transformation
Solar cooking
Estimated Activity Length:
3 hours
Learning Goal(s):

At the end of this lesson students will be able to: • Follow and prepare a recipe for cookies. • Learn to take and record oven temperature every 30 minutes using an infrared thermometer. • Evaluate the three ovens with a pros and cons list for each one after cooking. • Write one or two of their own questions. • Make suggestions for design changes.

The purpose of this lesson is to provide students with a hands-on experience using the sun to cook cornbread or cookies. Students will also learn to use an infrared thermometer. There is also an optional extension for the class or individual students to design and build the ultimate solar oven. View full description >>

Let's Build Sun Ovens

Wadsworth OH thumbnail
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
3-5
Estimated Activity Length:
3 hours
Learning Goal(s):

Students will follow written directions and use what they have learned about necessary components of a solar oven to build three different ovens in small groups.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):

The purpose of this lesson is to introduce the students to three different styles of inexpensive solar ovens. Students will work together to build a File Box oven, an auto shade/bucket oven and a “Copenhagen” style oven. Students will follow written directions and use what they have learned about the necessary components of a solar oven (... View full description >>

Daily Variations in Solar Energy

Earth Sun
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
3-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Changing shadows cast by the sun throughout the day
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will understand that when the sun is lower in the sky, it casts a longer shadow on an object. When the sun is higher in the sky, it casts a smaller shadow. Students will also understand the importance of adjusting the position of a solar oven every half hour or so throughout the cooking process to insure that the bottom of the oven is facing the sun directly in order to maximize heat absorption.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):

Students will observe and articulate that even on cloudless days, the amount of solar energy changes with the time of day and the time of year. Solar energy is strongest when the sun is high in the sky (when shadows are shortest). The sun shines more directly into the solar cooker when the sun is highest in the sky. View full description >>

Heat Transfer

Earth Sun
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
3-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Types of energy
energy transformation
solar energy
Estimated Activity Length:
30 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will observe how some materials conduct heat and others insulate heat.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):

Students will observe that heat naturally spreads from warmer places to cooler places and that some materials spread (conduct) heat and others keep it from spreading (insulate). View full description >>

Light Is Transformed into Heat

Earth Sun
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Types of energy
solar energy
Estimated Activity Length:
0 sec
Learning Goal(s):

Students will experience how some materials absorb heat from the sun and other materials reflect the sun and stay cool.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):

When absorbed (not reflected), light seems to disappear. What happens to it? View full description >>

Understanding Light

Earth Sun
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Estimated Activity Length:
30 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will conduct simple experiments to learn what kind of materials absorb heat from the sun, what kind of materials reflect light from the sun and what color of materials do not get hot in the sun. This lesson gives students experience in beginning to learn about why certain materials and colors are used in solar ovens.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):

Students will observe and articulate their observations of the way that different materials reflect and absorb sunlight, transforming it into heat to varying degrees. View full description >>