Sphero SPRK+

Solar SPRK+ Unit Overview

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
Solar SPRK+
Description:

This unit incorporates basic programming knowledge and solar energy into an engineering design challenge using Sphero SPRK+ robots. The theme for this challenge centers on the idea of Mars rovers, and the challenges faced in space exploration, specifically...

Energy Content:
Batteries & Storage,
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electronics,
Solar Photovoltaic
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will develop tools to use in the Engineering Design Process.Students will learn drag and drop programming with Sphero Edu (formerly Lightning Lab).Students will determine how series and parallel circuits affect voltage and current.Students will understand how to use photovoltaic sources to charge a SPRK+.Students will design a chariot to carry a photovoltaic power source for a SPRK+.Students will learn to program a SPRK+ ball and chariot through a maze.
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,
5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Deb Frankel
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-ETS1-1,
MS-ETS1-2,
MS-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
Computer Science,
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
10 hours
Solar Updraft Tower

Solar Updraft Towers Unit Overview

Grades:
3-8
Unit:
Solar Updraft Towers
Description:

Students will combine research, direct observations, and hands-on investigation to lead them into an engineering design project involving the construction of a solar updraft tower. During this process, students will make references to specific phenomena...

Energy Content:
Electricity Generation,
Energy Fundamentals,
Light (Visible),
Solar Thermal,
Sources of Energy,
Thermal Energy (Heat),
Wind Energy
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will understand ten renewable and non-renewable energy sources on the earth.Students will learn the locations of different energy sources on the earth.Students will learn the history of energy sources and how humans have used them.Students will learn about innovations and inventions used to find, recover, store, and release energy for human consumption.Students will understand that hot air risesStudents will understand why hot water and hot air rise and cold air and cold water sink.Students will learn that wind is produced by warm air rising and cold air sinking.Students will learn that the energy of moving hot air can be converted into other forms of energy.Students will understand that energy from the sun can be converted into heat.Students will discuss the effects of the chimney stack phenomenon.Students will understand that wind energy can be converted into other forms of energy.Students will determine different methods to increase the effectiveness of a wind turbine blade by harnessing and converting the mechanical energy of the wind.Students will determine that thermal energy resulting from the sun’s radiation can create an updraft that will power a turbine to spin.                                       Students will identify characteristics of turbine design that improve the success of their device.Students will utilize content from previous phenomena they investigated, such as the chimney stack effect and Norwegian candle toys, to determine how to best harness the energy transformed by their device from the sun.Students will be able to define and explain what a solar updraft tower is.Students will make connections between their previous engineering challenge and a real world solution to the world’s growing energy demands.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Phenomena-Driven Instruction,
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,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Lisa Morgan
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-3,
4-PS3-4,
4-ESS3-1,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text,
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development,
Math: Measurement,
Math: Ratios & Proportions
Estimated Activity Length:
10 hours
Kill-a-Watt Meter

Home Energy Consumption

Grades:
6-8
Description:

Students will calculate the energy consumption of a set of common household devices based on their operating power rating and then investigate the power consumption of other devices in their homes.

Energy Content:
Electrical Energy,
Energy Efficiency,
Energy Fundamentals
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will understand power and energy as they relate to their electricity use. Students will be able to calculate energy consumption and the associated costs. Students will investigate ways they could reduce their own energy consumption
Pedagogy & Practice:
Field Work,
Research-Primary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Author:
Deb Frankel
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-PS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Vocabulary Development,
Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Constructing Solar Panels

Solar Panel Construction, Orientation and Use Unit

Grades:
9-12
Unit:
Solar Panel Construction, Orientation and Use
Description:

For this extended task, students will track the sun's altitude and Azimuth to determine the best position for their hand-built solar panel, learn solar cell operation basics, solar panel construction, series and parallel circuitry and basic array sizing...

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electricity Generation,
Energy Fundamentals,
Solar Photovoltaic
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Modeling and data analysis
Pedagogy & Practice:
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Author:
James Mulanax
Relevant NGSS PE:
HS-PS2-6,
HS-PS3-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text,
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development,
Math: Algebra,
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
10 hours
Outdoor Circuitry

Engineering with Renewable Energy: Solar Water Pumping

Grades:
4-5
Description:

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...

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Solar Photovoltaic
+
-
More Details Less Details
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.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
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
Author:
Jamie Repasky
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
4-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development,
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours
Arduino Angler Design

Illuminate Me: Merging Conductive Sewing, Technology, and Solar Power

Grades:
7-12
Unit:
Illuminate Me
Description:

Light up your clothing using solar power! For this unit, students will attach thin, flexible solar modules to a bike helmet and recharge NiMH rechargeable batteries for a renewable energy battery pack. The rechargeable batteries will be used to light up...

Energy Content:
Batteries & Storage,
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electronics,
Solar Photovoltaic
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
1. Students will design and sew a wearable circuit using conductive thread. 2. Students will program a wearable microcontroller to light up garment with bright LEDs. 3. Students will incorporate solar power into a wearable garment project by recharging NiMH batteries for a renewable energy battery pack. 4. Students will apply knowledge of circuitry and energy transfer to maximize design.
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
Project-Based Learning,
Hands-on Materials,
Engineering Design
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
2: Developing and Using Models,
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:
Kristy Schneider
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-ETS1-1,
MS-PS1-3,
MS-PS3-5,
HS-ETS1-2,
HS-ETS1-3,
HS-ETS1-4
Other Subjects Covered:
Computer Science,
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Vocabulary Development,
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
10 hours
Sources of Energy

What is Energy? Where does it come from?

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
1
Description:

Students will be introduced to the scientific meaning of energy and complete a lesson on forms of energy vs. sources of energy. They will learn that most of the energy they use comes from fossil fuels. (Petroleum 35%, Natural Gas 27%, Coal 18%=82%)...

Energy Content:
Energy Fundamentals,
Sources of Energy
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will obtain basic background information on energy. Students will use their background knowledge to determine what different examples of energy are.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Debbie Abel
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Energy Transformations

Introduction to Energy

Grades:
7-8
Unit:
Solar vs. Wind Energy
Lesson Number:
1
Description:

This lesson will introduce students to each of the different types of energy using PowerPoint slides, partner activities, and hands-on experiences with different kinds of energy including: batteries (chemical), electrical circuits (electrical), motors (...

Energy Content:
Energy Fundamentals
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
• Students will be able to name and describe at least 5 kinds of energy • Students will be able to identify and explain simple energy transformations
Pedagogy & Practice:
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Author:
Craig Marais
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-PS3-3,
MS-PS3-5
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours
Energy Transformations

What is Energy?

Grades:
4-6
Unit:
Solar Boats
Lesson Number:
1
Description:

Students will gain an understanding of the fundamentals of energy through observing a variety of energy transformations and develop a foundational vocabulary for identifying and discussing energy concepts. Students will make observations about how energy...

Energy Content:
Electrical Energy,
Electricity and Magnetism,
Energy Fundamentals,
Light (Visible),
Potential & Kinetic Energy,
Sound,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will obtain the foundational knowledge of energy sources and forms of energy. In addition, students will learn that energy can transfer from one form to another. Students will build the understanding that there are different types of energy and many can not be directly observed.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Hands-on Materials,
Multiple Learning Styles
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems
Author:
Carol Patrick
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Basic Stamp Microprocessor

Measuring Voltage Using a Microcontroller

Grades:
9-12
Unit:
Robotic Sunflower
Lesson Number:
1
Description:

In this lesson students will be introduced to series circuits, resistors, a photoresistor and a microcontroller. There’s a lot here, but it boils down to making a voltage divider circuit and measuring the voltage at different points. A second circuit...

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electronics
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will apply Ohm’s Law. Students will use a multimeter to measure current, voltage, and resistance. Students will use a breadboard to set up a series circuit. Students will read circuit diagrams. Students will calculate times for an RC circuit to change state. Students will prove that resistors in series have an equivalent resistance equal to their individual sums. Students will program the Basic Stamp to measure voltage levels in a voltage divider and RC circuit.
Pedagogy & Practice:
21st Century Skills Development,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
2: Developing and Using Models,
5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Pat Blount
Relevant NGSS PE:
HS-ETS1-1,
HS-ETS1-2,
HS-ETS1-3,
HS-PS3-1,
HS-PS3-3
Other Subjects Covered:
Computer Science,
ELA: Vocabulary Development,
Math: Algebra,
Math: Functions,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours

Pages