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

Earth Sun

Understanding Light

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Cooking with the Sun and Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
5
Description:

Students will observe and articulate their observations of the way that different materials reflect and absorb sunlight, transforming it into heat to varying degrees.

Energy Content:
Energy Fundamentals,
Light (Visible),
Materials Science
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will conduct simple experiments to learn what kind of materials absorb heat from the sun, what kind of materials reflect light from the sun and what color of materials do not get hot in the sun. This lesson gives students experience in beginning to learn about why certain materials and colors are used in solar ovens.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Lisa Morgan
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS4-2,
5-PS1-3,
5-ESS1-2
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
30 min
Earth Sun

Daily Variations in Solar Energy

Grades:
3-5
Unit:
Cooking with the Sun and Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
8
Description:

Students will observe and articulate that even on cloudless days, the amount of solar energy changes with the time of day and the time of year. Solar energy is strongest when the sun is high in the sky (when shadows are shortest). The sun shines more...

Energy Content:
Light (Visible)
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will understand that when the sun is lower in the sky, it casts a longer shadow on an object. When the sun is higher in the sky, it casts a smaller shadow. Students will also understand the importance of adjusting the position of a solar oven every half hour or so throughout the cooking process to insure that the bottom of the oven is facing the sun directly in order to maximize heat absorption.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Hands-on Materials
Author:
Lisa Morgan
Relevant NGSS PE:
3-ESS2-1,
4-PS3-2,
5-ESS1-1,
5-ESS1-2
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min