To see descriptions of all available curriculum by grade level, click here. To download a PDF of all available units, click here.

Puerto Rico Power

When the Grid Goes Down and Stays Down

Grades:
7-8
Unit:
Chemical Differences in Emergency Energy Sources
Lesson Number:
1
Description:
Through an examination of media published in the five months following Hurricane Maria in 2017, students will develop an understanding of the electrical grid, the vulnerabilities of a grid system, and the immediate and long-term challenges of living without...
Energy Content:
Electrical Grid (Transmission & Distribution)
Sources of Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will understand the general structure of an energy grid Students will develop an understanding of the living conditions in Puerto Rico after Hurricane MariaStudents will collaborate to brainstorm needs to support safety, health and comfort in a natural disaster setting.Students will identify energy resources that one might desire to have in order meet the needs they identify. 
Pedagogy & Practice:
Empathetic Engineering
Phenomena-Driven Instruction
Research-Secondary
Social-Emotional Learning
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems
Author:
Melody Childers
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text
ELA: Speaking & Listening
ELA: Writing
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Social Sciences: Analysis
Social Sciences: Multicultural Studies
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Solar Cell Manufacture

Research and Evaluate the Impact on the Environment and Society of Converting Natural Resources into PV Cells

Grades:
7-8
Unit:
Chemical Differences in Emergency Energy Sources
Lesson Number:
4
Description:
Students will engage in guided research to explore resource acquisition, material processing, and electricity generation associated with photovoltaic cells. Opportunity for differentiation exists in the level of assistance in guiding the research, the...
Energy Content:
Materials Science
Solar Photovoltaic
Sources of Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
1. Students will evaluate information to describe the impact on society from resource extraction and materials-processing for PV cells.2. Students will communicate their understandings of different impacts from converting natural resources into PV cells through participation in a Socratic Seminar. 
Pedagogy & Practice:
English Language Strategies
Establishing a Culture of Science
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Melody Childers
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text
ELA: Reading: Scientific & Technical
ELA: Speaking & Listening
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
6 hours
Earth Sun

School Energy Hunt

Grades:
3-4
Unit:
Cooking with the Sun and Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
1
Description:
The purpose of this lesson is to help students understand that everything that is powered by energy comes from a source from nature. This is meant to be an introductory lesson on identifying sources of energy
Energy Content:
Sources of Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
At the end of this lesson students will be able to list equipment in the school that is powered by energy. They will also be able to identify the various types of energy that power the equipment.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Place-Based Learning
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Lisa Morgan
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2
4-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Earth Sun

Saving Lives with Solar Ovens

Grades:
3-5
Unit:
Cooking with the Sun and Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
4
Description:
Students will be introduced to Solar Cookers International. Students will learn about different solar cooker designs and how they function. Students will learn the pros and cons on the use of solar ovens in developing countries. Students will gain an...
Energy Content:
Solar Thermal
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will learn about different solar cooker designs and how they function. Students will learn the customs, jobs, food and clothing of people in different countries of Africa.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Empathetic Engineering
Engineering Design
Multiple Learning Styles
Phenomena-Driven Instruction
Research-Secondary
Social-Emotional Learning
STEAM/Arts
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Lisa Morgan
Relevant NGSS PE:
3-ESS2-1
3-ESS2-2
4-PS3-2
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: Reading: Literature
ELA: Speaking & Listening
ELA: Writing
Social Sciences: Multicultural Studies
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
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 at...
Energy Content:
Light (Visible)
Materials Science
Solar Thermal
Thermal Energy (Heat)
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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 Responsive
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
Reading Concept Map

Energy Changes Forms

Grades:
3-5
Unit:
Introducing Solar Energy
Lesson Number:
3
Description:
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...
Energy Content:
Energy Fundamentals
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More Details Less Details
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.
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Leah Gorman
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-4
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text
ELA: Reading: Scientific & Technical
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour

Building Solar Boats

Grades:
4-6
Unit:
Solar Boats
Lesson Number:
7
Description:
Students will follow step-by-step instructions to build their solar boats. They will troubleshoot as necessary by making sure electricity flows into the motor to make the vehicles move by propeller or gears. They will be using their planned investigations...
Energy Content:
Circuitry
Electrical Energy
Solar Photovoltaic
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will follow step-by-step instructions to build their solar boats. They will troubleshoot as necessary by making sure electricity flows into the motor to make the vehicles move by propeller or gears. Students will determine different data points that are useful in the determining the most effective design for a solar powered boat. Students will undergo the process of redesign, noting why they made changes to particular variables on their boat and noting how these changes played out.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Group Work/Collaboration
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Carol Patrick
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2
4-PS3-4
3-5-ETS1-1
3-5-ETS1-2
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Solar Car Student

Solar Car Challenge: Background Research on Car Design

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
Solar Car Challenge
Lesson Number:
3
Description:
Students will play around with the solar car kits to familiarize themselves with the materials in preparation for the solar car engineering challenge.
Energy Content:
Solar Photovoltaic
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
To introduce students to the problem that this project will attempt to solve: building a solar car that will go straight, far, and fast to win a race.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design
Group Work/Collaboration
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Karen Nelson
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-ESS3-3
MS-ETS1-1
MS-ETS1-2
MS-ETS1-3
MS-ETS1-4
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Solar Mobile

Solar Mobile Design Challenge Unit Plan

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
Solar Mobile Design Challenge
Description:
This unit involves students learning about transferring solar energy to small motors, exploring the center of gravity and testing light sources (including the sun). The culminating engineering design project gives students the chance to pull together their...
Energy Content:
Circuitry
Electricity and Magnetism
Energy Efficiency
Materials Science
Solar Photovoltaic
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will design circuits using various solar panels in order to power motors with propellers. Students will learn about solar energy transfer in order to power the motors on their solar aircraft.Students will research an aircraft and draw an outline of the aircraft onto foam board. Students will explore the concept of center of gravity. Students will test the efficiency of various light sources (incandescent, fluorescent, LED, halogen) for usage by a PV cell.Students will use their prior testing results and knowledge to engineer a solar-powered mobile. Students will work to transfer the most energy from the solar panels considering all the tested variables in order to power the fastest, most efficient mobile.Students will demonstrate and explain why their solar mobile should be chosen for the solar mobile display in the children’s museum. 
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design
Group Work/Collaboration
Hands-on Materials
Phenomena-Driven Instruction
Project-Based Learning
STEAM/Arts
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:
Kristy Schneider
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-ETS1-3
MS-ETS1-4
MS-PS2-2
MS-PS3-5
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
0 sec
Solar Mobile

Introducing the Solar Mobile Design Challenge

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
Solar Mobile Design Challenge
Lesson Number:
1
Description:
This lesson is aimed to engage students and build excitement for their future engineering design challenge of building the fastest Solar Powered Mobile. Through multi-media resources, Students will encounter real life solar aircrafts and a room-sized Solar...
Energy Content:
Solar Photovoltaic
Transportation
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will be introduced to solar aircraft. Students will form and write questions about solar aircraft into their Engineering Notebooks setting the stage for future questions.Students will be introduced to a room-sized solar mobile and add additional questions to their engineering notebook.Students will be introduced to the engineering design scenario. 
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design
Establishing a Culture of Science
Group Work/Collaboration
Phenomena-Driven Instruction
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems
Author:
Kristy Schneider
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour

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