All American Sun Oven

Solar Ovens: Choosing Colors

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
11
Description:

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...

Energy Content:
Solar Thermal,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
+
-
More Details Less Details
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.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Debbie Abel
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min

Cost Effective Solar Cells: Unique Solar Cell Model Sketch and Presentation

Grades:
9-12
Unit:
Cost Effective Solar Cells
Lesson Number:
11
Description:

This lesson is designed to be completed in two 80-minute sections. The teacher will facilitate brief class presentations on the unique solar cell models. Teachers will model and encourage students to provide warm and cool feedback to the presenters,...

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electricity Generation,
Energy Fundamentals,
Materials Science,
Solar Photovoltaic
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will sketch 2D or 3D models of their proposed solar cellsStudents will present their unique solar cell design ideas and sketches of their solar cells
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
Engineering Design,
Hands-on Materials,
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
2: Developing and Using Models,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Tom Wolverton
Relevant NGSS PE:
HS-PS1-2,
HS-PS2-6,
HS-PS3-3
Estimated Activity Length:
3 hours
Earth Sun

Individual Independent Projects

Grades:
3-5
Unit:
Cooking with the Sun and Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
12
Description:

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...

Energy Content:
Light (Visible),
Materials Science,
Solar Thermal,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
+
-
More Details Less Details
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.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Culturally Sustaining,
Engineering Design,
Establishing a Culture of Science,
Hands-on Materials,
Multiple Learning Styles,
Project-Based Learning,
Research-Secondary,
STEAM/Arts
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Author:
Lisa Morgan
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-ESS3-1,
5-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text,
ELA: Reading: Scientific & Technical,
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
10 hours
All American Sun Oven

Reflecting Sunlight

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
12
Description:

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...

Energy Content:
Solar Thermal,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
+
-
More Details Less Details
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.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Debbie Abel
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min

Cost Effective Solar Cells: Unique Solar Cell Construction & Testing

Grades:
9-12
Unit:
Cost Effective Solar Cells
Lesson Number:
12
Description:

This lesson is designed to be completed in four 80-minute sections. The teacher will facilitate the construction of unique solar cells for student projects. General chemistry equipment and fabrication equipment will be needed for student construction and...

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electricity and Magnetism,
Electricity Generation,
Electrons,
Energy Fundamentals,
Solar Photovoltaic
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will construct their unique solar cellsStudents will test unique solar cellsStudents will revise procedures based on solar cell testing resultsStudents will re-build and re-test solar cells
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
Engineering Design,
Hands-on Materials,
Project-Based Learning,
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
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:
Tom Wolverton
Relevant NGSS PE:
HS-PS1-2,
HS-PS2-6,
HS-PS3-3
Other Subjects Covered:
Environmental Sciences,
ELA: Reading: Scientific & Technical
Estimated Activity Length:
0 sec

Cost Effective Solar Cells: Construction Progress and Obstacles

Grades:
9-12
Unit:
Cost Effective Solar Cells
Lesson Number:
13
Description:

This lesson is designed to be completed in one 80-minute section. The teacher will facilitate 3-4 groups as they share their construction progress and obstacles. Students will share individual results in a fishbowl setting and will participate in...

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electricity Generation,
Electronics,
Electrons,
Energy Fundamentals,
Solar Photovoltaic,
Sources of Energy
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will present construction progress and project obstacles
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Project-Based Learning,
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
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:
Tom Wolverton
Relevant NGSS PE:
HS-PS1-2,
HS-PS2-6,
HS-PS3-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Reading: Scientific & Technical
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Solar Circuit

How Light Intensity Affects Solar Cell Output

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
PV Output
Lesson Number:
2
Description:

Students will expose solar cells to a light source from different distances and measure the output with a multimeter. They will compare and contrast the outputs that the different distances produce.

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electricity Generation,
Light (Visible),
Solar Photovoltaic
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
After the completion of this lab, students will be able to describe how the light intensity affects solar cell output, have practiced using a multimeter, and have analyzed collected data.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Author:
Todd Freiboth
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min
Dye in Water

Developing a Model of Thermal Energy, Atoms, and Molecules

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
Chemical Differences in Emergency Energy Sources
Lesson Number:
2
Description:

Through a series of exploration and inquiry activities, students will explain kinetic molecular theory, atomic, and molecular structures. Students will be challenged to gradually increase the precision of their explanation of molecular-level structures...

Energy Content:
Electrons,
Materials Science,
Potential & Kinetic Energy,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will develop a model through collaborative inquiry to explain thermal kinetic energy and predict the outcome when heat is added to a substance. Students will build argumentation from evidence skills through collaborative sense-making and gallery walk presentations. Students will develop a model of atomic and molecular structures.  
Pedagogy & Practice:
Establishing a Culture of Science,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Multiple Learning Styles,
Phenomena-Driven Instruction
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
2: Developing and Using Models,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Author:
Melody Childers
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-PS1-4
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Reading: Literature,
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development,
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Math: Measurement,
Math: Ratios & Proportions
Estimated Activity Length:
9 hours
Solar Rooftop

Macro-Scale Solar

Grades:
9-12
Unit:
Solar Resources Assessment
Lesson Number:
2
Description:

This lesson begins with basic chemistry with regards to atomic structure. The lesson then moves to understanding the special properties of silicon as a photoelectric semi- conductor. Building on this, the basic structure of photovoltaic solar cells is...

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electricity Generation,
Solar Photovoltaic
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will be able to describe the basic structure of a photovoltaic solar module implementing the ideas of series and parallel wiring. Students will be able to describe the basic structure of a photovoltaic solar array implementing the ideas of series and parallel wiring. Students will be able to describe the function and necessity of an inverter when using photovoltaic arrays.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Hands-on Materials,
Project-Based Learning
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Author:
Clayton Hudiburg
Relevant NGSS PE:
HS-PS3-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
3 hours

Solar Cars Science Investigation

Grades:
4-6
Unit:
Solar Cars
Lesson Number:
2
Description:

Students will design a science investigation to test solar car with a pulley or with a variety of gear sizes. In the previous lesson, they were introduced to the different types of systems that can be employed on their car. In this lesson they will use...

Energy Content:
Potential & Kinetic Energy,
Solar Photovoltaic
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will design an investigation to test solar vehicles. They will determine which particular materials they will use in the testing of their chosen format. Students will allow for redesign to take place by determining variables that can be manipulated in a measurable format. Students will determine data that will be useful to collect in the testing of their vehicle design.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Project-Based Learning
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
2: Developing and Using Models,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Carol Patrick
Relevant NGSS PE:
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min

Pages