Setting Expectations for Science and Engineering Projects

Scientific Method
Average Rating:
0
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):

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
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
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
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
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
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):

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 >>

Engineering with Renewable Energy: Solar Water Pumping

Outdoor Circuitry
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Engineering
Solar water pumping
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours
Learning Goal(s):

The students will be able to learn what a solar cell looks like and how light energy triggers the cell to release negative charges to move toward the positive side, creating power as it moves from one side to the other. Students will be able to arrange four panels into the correct order to create power for an object and interact with a 3D model of a module to understand how the electricity to power the fan is created. The students will be able to experiment with solar panels (angle, direction) to power a small fan/LED light/circuit board. Students will be able to identify the best position/angle for maximum power. 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.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):

Students will learn that energy from a renewable resource can be converted to electrical energy to do work by engineering a water pump system powered by the sun. They will compare the volume of water pumped by different designs and graph data collected and use the data to evaluate their designs. The lessons integrate Common Core State Standards... View full description >>

How a Solar Cell Works: Photon Simulation

Photovoltaic Module
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-8
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Energy
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

To understand how a solar cell operates on the atomic level, through a simulation experience

The purpose of this activity is to simulate the movement of electrons at the p-n junction to create an electrical current. Students will play a modified game of musical chairs, where teams will compete against each other while creating their own electricity. By participating in the activity, students will be able to “see” how electricity is... View full description >>

Energy Review: Practical and Technical Perspectives—What is Energy?

Sources of Energy
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-8
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Energy
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

To access prior knowledge about different forms of energy

Students will take a short field trip around the school to identify different types of energy. View full description >>

Nez Perce Tribal Fish Hatchery

Location:
Juliaetta, ID
Grade Level:
K-12
Technology Type:
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 >>