Power

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:

7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence

Author:

Deb Frankel

Relevant NGSS PE:

MS-PS1-3

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Speaking & Listening,

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Using a Multimeter to Analyze a Solar Circuit: Measuring Current and Voltage—Calculating Power and Resistance

Grades:

6-12

Description:

Students will set up a simple circuit using a multimeter and a load resistor to measure the voltage and current in the circuit. Students will learn to use a multimeter, learn how to calculate power and be introduced to Ohm’s Law. This activity provides a...

Energy Content:

Electrical Energy

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will understand that voltage is a measure of a difference in electric potential energy and that current is the rate at which charge flows through a circuit.Students will understand how to measure and quantify electricity. Students will become familiar with the relationships between the fundamental electrical quantities.

Pedagogy & Practice:

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence

Author:

Emily Barrett

Relevant NGSS PE:

4-PS3-2,

4-PS3-4,

MS-PS2-3,

HS-PS3-1,

HS-PS3-2,

HS-PS3-5

Other Subjects Covered:

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Circuit Analysis With Solar Energy: Measure the Power Consumed by Various Devices

Grades:

6-12

Description:

Students will set up a simple circuit using a solar module and three small loads. They will then use a multimeter to measure the voltage across each load and the current through each circuit. Students will then calculate the power consumption and...

Energy Content:

Solar Photovoltaic

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will understand that voltage is a measure of a difference in electric potential energy and that current is the rate at which charge flows through a circuit. Students will understand how to measure and quantify electricity. Students will become familiar with the relationships between the fundamental electrical quantities.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Establishing a Culture of Science,

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Author:

Emily Barrett

Relevant NGSS PE:

4-PS3-2,

4-PS3-4,

MS-PS2-3,

HS-PS3-1,

HS-PS3-2,

HS-PS3-5

Other Subjects Covered:

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Constructing a Solar-Powered MintyBoost USB Charger

Grades:

6-8

Description:

Students will receive a background on solar energy, solar energy applications, and electrical circuit components. Students will then apply these concepts to a Home Energy Consumption worksheet and the construction of a Solar Module MintyBoost USB Charger,...

Energy Content:

Solar Photovoltaic

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will gain a background on solar energy and be able to apply terms such as solar modules, photovoltaics, and solar power. Students will gain a background on electrical circuit components and be able to apply terms such as capacitor, resistor, diode, alternating and direct current, amps, inductor, volts, and watts. Through the completion of the Home Energy Consumption worksheet, students will determine their family’s monthly energy consumption and calculate the monthly dollar cost for household items such as light bulbs, game consoles, and televisions. Students will demonstrate their understanding of solar energy and electrical circuits through the construction of a Solar Module MintyBoost USB Charger and a presentation of their own unique product that utilizes the solar charger.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Engineering Design,

Hands-on Materials,

Project-Based Learning

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Deb Frankel

Relevant NGSS PE:

MS-LS2-5,

MS-ETS1-2,

MS-PS1-3,

MS-PS2-3,

MS-PS3-3

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Speaking & Listening

Estimated Activity Length:

10 hours

Can Portable PV Charge Vehicles?

Grades:

10-12

Unit:

Solar Transportation

Lesson Number:

Description:

In this lesson, students will begin to explore the potential and challenges related to using photovoltaics to supplement the power needed to charge batteries in BEVs. Students will test a variety of wiring options related to series and parallel wiring....

Energy Content:

Batteries & Storage,

Electricity Generation,

Energy Fundamentals,

Fuels,

Solar Photovoltaic,

Transportation

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will explore the role of series and parallel wiring as they pertain to voltage and amperage.Students will explore the processes involved with charging batteries and relate these processes to voltage and amperage.Students will test photovoltaic modules to identify voltage and amperage outputs.Students will calculate, using data from field tests, the maximum power that can be produced using photovoltaics within the constraints of a typical passenger vehicle’s surface area.Students will calculate charging times using various PV array power ratings.

Pedagogy & Practice:

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

Author:

Clayton Hudiburg

Relevant NGSS PE:

HS-ESS3-2,

HS-ESS3-4,

HS-ETS1-1,

HS-ETS1-2,

HS-ETS1-3,

HS-PS3-2

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Writing,

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,

Math: Algebra,

Estimated Activity Length:

2 hours

How much energy do YOU use?

Grades:

7-8

Unit:

Solar vs. Wind Energy

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will learn the difference between energy and power. They will then use this new understanding to compare the energy and power difference of light bulbs (incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, and LED) using a tool called a “Kill-A-Watt” meter....

Energy Content:

Energy Efficiency,

Energy Fundamentals

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will be able to: • Explain the difference between power and energy • Proficiently use a “Kill-A-Watt” meter to determine the power and total energy usage of everyday devices • Compare the total energy used by common household devices • Brainstorm different ways we can conserve electrical energy

Pedagogy & Practice:

Field Work,

Hands-on Materials,

Research-Primary

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Craig Marais

Relevant NGSS PE:

MS-ESS3-3,

MS-PS3-3

Other Subjects Covered:

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,

Math: Algebra,

Estimated Activity Length:

0 sec

Designing a Solar Charger

Grades:

10-12

Unit:

Solar Transportation

Lesson Number:

Description:

In this lesson, students will further explore the potential and challenges related to using photovoltaics to supplement the power needed to charge batteries in BEVs. Students will be provided with a 12 V lead-acid battery and several 3 V, 1.5 A solar...

Energy Content:

Batteries & Storage,

Solar Photovoltaic,

Transportation

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

1. Students will explore the role of series and parallel wiring as they pertain to voltage and amperage. 2. Students will explore the processes involved with charging batteries and relate these processes to voltage and amperage. 3. Students will test photovoltaic modules to identify voltage and amperage outputs. 4. Students will design a system of wiring 3 V, 1.5 A modules together as a means to charge a 12 V lead-acid battery 5. Students will predict and test the effectiveness of their designed solar charger.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Engineering Design,

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

2: Developing and Using Models,

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Author:

Clayton Hudiburg

Relevant NGSS PE:

HS-ESS3-2,

HS-ESS3-4,

HS-ETS1-1,

HS-ETS1-2,

HS-ETS1-3,

HS-PS3-2

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Informational Text,

ELA: Writing,

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division

Estimated Activity Length:

4 hours

Energy Efficiency - Lighting

Grades:

4-5

Unit:

Solar Ovens

Lesson Number:

Description:

In this lesson, students will learn how to read light bulb packaging (lighting facts) and do a whole class experiment comparing a 60-watt incandescent to an equivalent CFL and an LED bulb. This experiment will be conducted using a kil-o-watt meter,...

Energy Content:

Energy Efficiency,

Light (Visible)

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will understand what energy efficiency means, and learn how to choose energy efficient light bulbs. Students will determine which lightbulbs are the most efficient. Students will understand how energy efficiency relates to energy generation and climate change.

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

2: Developing and Using Models,

3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

Author:

Debbie Abel

Relevant NGSS PE:

5-PS3-1,

5-ESS2-1,

5-ESS3-1

Other Subjects Covered:

Estimated Activity Length:

50 min

Variables Affecting Wind Turbine Power

Grades:

7-8

Unit:

Solar vs. Wind Energy

Lesson Number:

Description:

Now that students are familiar with how mechanical electricity generation works, they will build a wind turbine powered by a box fan. Different teams will test different turbine variables to see how the amount of electrical power is affected. After each...

Energy Content:

Electricity Generation,

Wind Energy

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

• Students will be able to identify and explain at least three variables that affect the efficiency of wind turbines • Students will conduct a scientific investigation to determine which wind turbine configuration will generate the most power

Pedagogy & Practice:

Engineering Design,

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence,

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Craig Marais

Relevant NGSS PE:

MS-ETS1-2,

MS-PS3-1,

MS-PS3-4

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Writing,

Math: Graphing & Representation,

Estimated Activity Length:

4 hours

How to Measure Output of Solar Modules

Grades:

4-6

Unit:

Solar Boats

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will measure output from solar module before a load is attached and relate it to real world output. They will make these measurements using a multimeter and be able to determine the optimal angle at which their module generates a current flow....

Energy Content:

Solar Photovoltaic

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will demonstrate that solar modules create electricity when light strikes the module. Students will determine the optimum angle for the generation of current by a solar cell when given a light source (indoors or outdoors using the sun). Students will be able to effectively use a digital multimeter to measure current and voltage produced by a solar cell.

Pedagogy & Practice:

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

Author:

Carol Patrick

Relevant NGSS PE:

4-PS3-2

Other Subjects Covered: