Teacher Activity Center

Electronics

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will be able to apply the pulse width modulation to a servo from a Basic Stamp. Students will synthesize two circuit designs using one to control the other through the Basic Stamp.

Pedagogy & Practice:

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

Author:

Pat Blount

Relevant NGSS PE:

HS-ETS1-4,

Other Subjects Covered:

Computer Science,

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Creating a Light-Tracking Servo

Grades:

9-12

Unit:

Robotic Sunflower

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will learn how to program the Basic Stamp to use information from two photoresistors to point a servo at a light source. This will be the first degree of freedom for the flower head.

Energy Content:

Electronics,

Light (Visible)

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will synthesize the previous lesson for light metering and servo control to design a servo controlled by two photoresistors that will track a light source.

Pedagogy & Practice:

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

Author:

Pat Blount

Relevant NGSS PE:

Other Subjects Covered:

Computer Science

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Dual Axis Light Tracking

Grades:

9-12

Unit:

Robotic Sunflower

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will take the previous lesson and apply them in creating a light tracker with two degrees of freedom. The axis of rotation will be about the horizontal and vertical. Teams will have everything they need to make this build work. They have already...

Energy Content:

Electronics,

Light (Visible)

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will create a solar tracker with two degrees of freedom.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Hands-on Materials,

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

Author:

Pat Blount

Relevant NGSS PE:

Other Subjects Covered:

Computer Science

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Integrating Solar Power

Grades:

9-12

Unit:

Robotic Sunflower

Lesson Number:

Description:

At this point students should have a working robotic sunflower that will track the sun with 2 degrees of freedom. This next lesson powers the whole system with a photovoltaic module. A Zener diode is used to charge a 6V motorcycle battery which then...

Energy Content:

Electronics,

Solar Photovoltaic

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will create voltage regulator and construct a solar battery charger.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Hands-on Materials,

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Author:

Pat Blount

Relevant NGSS PE:

Solar Resources Assessment

Other Subjects Covered:

Computer Science

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Solar Site Assessment

Grades:

9-12

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will do an actual site assessment to determine the available solar resource for a chosen location.

Energy Content:

Electricity Generation,

Solar Photovoltaic

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will be able to use a Solar Pathfinder to determine the amount of solar resource lost to shading from nearby trees, buildings, etc. Students will be able to calculate the number of kWh of electricity that can be produced in a specific location and in a specific sized area. Students will be able to calculate the amount of carbon emissions that can be offset due to installing photovoltaic panels of various sizes. Students will be able to calculate the size array needed to offset all electricity use for the high school.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Hands-on Materials,

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Clayton Hudiburg

Relevant NGSS PE:

Other Subjects Covered:

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,

Math: Algebra,

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Replacing Fossil Fuels?

Grades:

10-12

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

As students begin to look at the role photovoltaics might play within the transportation energy sector, it is important for them to understand why the phasing-out of fossil fuels is such a daunting task. This lesson is designed to help students comprehend...

Energy Content:

Biomass Energy,

Energy Fundamentals,

Fuels,

Materials Science,

Sources of Energy,

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

1. Students will define energy density. 2. Students will compare energy densities among various transportation fuel options. 3. Students will compare costs per unit of energy among various transportation fuel options. 4. Students will compare energy return on energy invested among various transportation fuel options. 5. Students will assess which fuels have the most potential to replace fossil fuels in the transportation sector using a weighted matrix.

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,

Author:

Clayton Hudiburg

Relevant NGSS PE:

HS-ETS1-3

Other Subjects Covered:

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,

Math: Algebra,

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Background Research on Alternative Transportation Vehicles

Grades:

10-12

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students completing this lesson will already have identified some of the problems inherent in the development of ideas to replace fossil fuels in the transportation sector. Students will now conduct some research to identify some of the pros and cons of...

Energy Content:

Fuels,

Hydrogen,

Sources of Energy,

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

1. Students will define BEVs, HEVs, HFCVs, and HICEVs 2. Students will compare the above vehicles and relate the pros and cons of each technology 3. Students will begin to evaluate which type of technology might be best suited for the goal of replacing fossil fuels in the transportation sector 4. Students will begin to brainstorm ideas for how solar energy might be used to enhance these technologies

Pedagogy & Practice:

Research-Secondary,

Research-Primary

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Clayton Hudiburg

Relevant NGSS PE:

HS-ETS1-3

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Informational Text

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Can Portable PV Charge Vehicles?

Grades:

10-12

Unit:

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:

Electricity Generation,

Energy Fundamentals,

Fuels,

Solar Photovoltaic,

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:

Hands-on Materials

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,

Author:

Clayton Hudiburg

Relevant NGSS PE:

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Writing,

ELA: Vocabulary Development,

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,

Math: Algebra,

Estimated Activity Length:

2 hours

Designing a Solar Charger

Grades:

10-12

Unit:

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:

Solar Photovoltaic,

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:

Hands-on Materials

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

2: Developing and Using Models,

5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Author:

Clayton Hudiburg

Relevant NGSS PE:

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Informational Text,

ELA: Writing,

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division

Estimated Activity Length:

4 hours

Photovoltaic Solutions "Shark-Tank Style"

Grades:

10-12

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

In this lesson, the students will take their knowledge gained in the previous activities to innovate design solutions that will allow PV technology to plan an increased role in the transportation sector. The challenge given to them is to design a BEV that...

Energy Content:

Solar Photovoltaic,

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

1. Students will use data and mathematics to design a solution for using PV technology in the transportation sector. 2. Students will create a presentation with visuals and specs outlining their proposed solution. 3. Students will present and attempt to “sell” their products to a panel of judges.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Group Work/Collaboration

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,

7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence

Author:

Clayton Hudiburg

Relevant NGSS PE: