Denton, TX - Educators' Workshop

Denton TX teacher wind circuit
Location:
Denton, TX
Grade Level:
K-6

Arconic Foundation supported STEM teacher professional development for educators in the region surrounding Arconic facilities in Denton, Texas in Spring 2016. BEF’s Solar 4R Schools program and the City of Denton’s Sustainable Schools partnered to provide a STEM teacher training that enabled renewable energy programming to reach 10 educators from 9 schools across the District with substantial science kits – which are now available to teachers through a lending library hosted through Denton Sustainable Schools. The City of Denton, Denton Municipal Electric, and Denton Independent School... Read full project narrative >>

Chandler, AZ - Educators' Workshop

Chandler, AZ Solar Car
Location:
Chandler, AZ
Grade Level:
PK, 1-8

Arconic Foundation supported STEM teacher professional development for educators in the region surrounding Arconic facilities in Chandler, Arizona in Spring 2016. The Solar 4R Schools team had an opportunity to work intimately with the East Valley Chapter of the organization Engineering for Kids. Educators spent time designing the heating compartment for a solar oven (even overheating leftover pizza) and enjoyed tremendously the time spent designing and redesigning solar cars to work in the bright Arizona sun! East Valley Engineering for Kids expects to reach 150+ students over the course... Read full project narrative >>

Reflecting Sunlight

All American Sun Oven
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
reflection/absorption
electromagnetic radiation
solar energy
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will learn that reflectors can be used to increase solar oven temperatures by concentrating solar energy. Students will use their observations from the prior lesson to make claims based on the concepts of reflection and absorption within a solar oven system. Students will use their observations from reflection and absorption experiments to determine how to best capture reflected solar energy.

Students will see a demonstration and conduct a simple experiment on reflecting sunlight.  During this demonstration, they will determine the purpose of the reflectors on a solar oven’s design and make observations about their functionality. They will use what they learn to build their solar ovens. View full description >>

Solar Ovens: Choosing Colors

All American Sun Oven
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
absorption/reflection
electromagnetic radiation
solar energy
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will learn that darker colors absorb more sunlight and get warmer. Students will understand the relation of absorption to thermal radiation emission. Students will conduct an experiment that isolates color as a variable to test.

Students will conduct experiments using different colors of paper.  During this process, they will make observations about the functionality of different colors when incorporated into design in relation to reflection and absorption.  Students will use what they learn to build their solar ovens. View full description >>

Heat Conduction of Different Materials

All American Sun Oven
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
conductors
energy transfer
radiation
states of matter
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will learn that the material of the item that they choose to cook their egg in matters because different materials conduct heat differently. Students will compare insulators with conductors. Students will determine the purpose of conductors within a solar oven.

After a demonstration using Amazing Ice Melting Blocks, students will conduct small temperature experiments using different types of materials.  They will use what they learn to build their solar ovens and additionally answer discussion questions in their notebooks.

  View full description >>

Insulation

All American Sun Oven
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
radiation
energy transfer
insulators
conductors
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will learn that they can increase the temperature inside of their solar ovens with insulation. Students will determine what makes a good insulator. Students will make observations about different types of insulators. Students will discuss real world examples of insulators.

Students will learn about the importance of insulation in a solar oven.  They will use their own background knowledge, as well as observations of insulation used to contain thermal energy, and determine how this will be incorporated into solar ovens. View full description >>

Professional Sun Oven

All American Sun Oven
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
solar energy
electromagnetic radiation
energy transfer
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will learn how a professional solar oven works. Students will make scientific observations about the functionality of a solar oven. Students will practice prototyping through their own sketches of a solar oven.

Students will view a professional solar oven in use and hypothesize how it works.  They will do this through observing the oven in action as it cooks an egg, then recording their observations.  This will be recorded in their energy notebooks. View full description >>

Lerato Cooks Up a Plan

Wadsworth OH thumbnail
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
solar energy
passive solar
infrared radiation
solar applications
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will identify a real world problem that can be solved using solar energy. Students determine how the sun can be harnessed without generating electricity from it.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):

The teacher will begin reading aloud the realistic fiction book, “Lerato Cooks Up a Plan” from Engineering is Elementary.  In this book, a young girl from Botswana learns science ideas that help her design a solar oven for her family.  Students will reflect on the story in their notebooks. View full description >>

Solar vs. Battery Circuits

Solar Circuit
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
solar energy
photovoltaics
electricity
renewable energy
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will do experiments that reinforce the idea that the sun’s energy can be transferred into electrical energy. Students will also explore and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy. Students will discuss how solar energy compares to other forms of energy generation.

In this lesson, students will explore and do small experiments with mini solar panels and circuit boards.  The class will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy.  Students will continue to work in their Solar Energy Student Notebooks to record their observations and discussion. View full description >>

Renewable/Green Energy

Sources of Energy
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
kinetic
potential
renewable
non-renewable
fossil fuels
global warming
climate change
solar energy
wind energy
hydroelectric power
sources of energy
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will learn about and observe different forms of renewable energy. They will also learn about the different photovoltaic cells installed on Beaverton or other schools with Solar 4R Schools projects.

In this lesson, students will be introduced to the different forms of renewable/green energy.  They will learn about the photovoltaic cells installed in our school district, Beaverton Schools. However, any project on View full description >>