Solar Energy Basics

Sun
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Understanding Energy
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Energy
solar energy generation
renewable and nonrenewable energy
electricity
light
energy transformation
photovoltaic
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will be able to describe the basic principles of solar power and list advantages and disadvantages of using solar power. Students will be able to distinguish between passive solar and photovoltaic solar power. Students will be able to determine what data from a solar array represents. Students will be able to determine the cause of energy generation trends when observed over longer periods of time.

Students will learn the basics of solar power and the difference between photovoltaic solar power and passive solar power. They will also learn the pros and cons of solar power and be able to describe the

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Home Energy Survey

Checklist
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Understanding Energy
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Energy
energy audits
energy consumption
conservation
renewable and nonrenewable energy
electricity
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will be able to describe the basic principles of various forms of energy and write a detailed description of one of those forms of energy. This written product will include common uses of this form of energy, costs, and basic advantages and disadvantages of using this form of energy.

Students will learn how to determine what sources of energy are used in their home. They will determine types of energy used in their home through observation and interviews. This will be documented through a

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Energy Research Project

Sources of Energy
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Understanding Energy
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Energy
energy generation
renewable and nonrenewable energy
fossil fuels
natural resources
energy conservation
research
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours
Learning Goal(s):

Students will be able to describe the basic principles of various forms of energy and write a detailed description of one of those forms of energy. This written product will include common uses of this form of energy, costs, and basic advantages and disadvantages of using this form of energy.

Students will build on their knowledge of renewable and non-renewable energy (third grade standards). Students will learn that all electricity production has impact on the earth. The class will do a compare/

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Brainstorm Energy Source

Sources of Energy
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Understanding Energy
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Energy
energy generation
energy sources
energy transformations
resources
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will begin to think about various appliances and items that they use and the energy that those items consume. Students will brainstorm ideas of energy sources without worrying about right and wrong answers. Students will create a visual reference for different types of energy resources with their classmates.

Students will individually brainstorm sources of energy. This process will take place on both an individual and on a group level, allowing for students to share ideas about their perceptions of energy. On a

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Energy Sort

Energy Transformations
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Understanding Energy
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Energy
energy transformations
potential energy
kinetic energy
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will begin to think about various appliances and items that they use and the energy that those items consume. Students will make connections between common objects in their lives and energy transformations taking place.

Students will be put in groups of six to eight students. Each group will have images of various items that produce heat (light bulb, hair dryer, refrigerator, computer, game system, television, car,

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Analyze Data and Draw Conclusions

Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Solar Cars
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
opinion
reasons
point of view
writing
analysis
qualitative
quantitative
data
cause and effect
observations
conclusions
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Learning Goal(s):

Students will determine how differences between solar cars affected their functionality. Students will make claims based off of quantitative and qualitative data. Students will engage in scientific talk based off of their own observations when constructing and testing solar cars. Students will complete a journaling activity that outlines their processes relating to making conclusions.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):

Students have performed the investigation and will now analyze their data. They will accomplish this through a journaling activity that requires them to use the data collected from the actual races. The will

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Collect Data...Then Compare and Contrast

Solar Car Race
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Solar Cars
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
investigation
fair tests
Laws of Motion
forces
Energy
energy transformation
variables
mass
Engineering
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Learning Goal(s):

Students will:

  • Compare and contrast forces acting on the system by examining the results of the solar car races.
  • Explain the mechanics of gear ratios and demonstrate the most useful ratio to use when constructing solar cars.
  • Explain the benefits of employing a pulley-system in their car construction. Students will understand the importance of selecting measurable, specific variables to compare in their data collection process in order to make evidence-based claims.

Students will race different iterations of solar cars: geared and pulley-system cars using varying gear ratios. Students will have the opportunity to make predictions, record data, and explain the results

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Build Solar Cars

Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Solar Cars
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
investigation
fair tests
Laws of Motion
forces
Energy
energy transformation
variables
mass
Engineering
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will construct a geared solar car, a pulley-system solar car, or both. Students will make verbal predictions about the outcomes and viabilities of different types of solar cars. Students will pinpoint the independent, dependent, and control variables in their solar car testing process.

Students will build their solar vehicles. There are many options for them to do this, depending on the specific variables hoping to be tested following the construction and material-selection process.

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Solar Cars Science Investigation

Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Solar Cars
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
investigation
fair tests
Laws of Motion
forces
Energy
energy transformation
variables
mass
Engineering
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will design an investigation to test solar vehicles. They will determine which particular materials they will use in the testing of their chosen format. Students will allow for redesign to take place by determining variables that can be manipulated in a measurable format. Students will determine data that will be useful to collect in the testing of their vehicle design.

Students will design a science investigation to test solar car with a pulley or with a variety of gear sizes. In the previous lesson, they were introduced to the different types of systems that can be

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Gears vs. Pulleys on Solar Cars

Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Solar Cars
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Engineering
gears
pulleys
Laws of Motion
force
Energy
energy transformation
Estimated Activity Length:
30 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will design an investigation to test differences between solar vehicles. They will make claims based on backing evidence, without having directly tested their vehicles before this point. They will use background knowledge regarding pulleys and gears in order to begin the design process. Students will determine which specific design they will be moving forward with for the next lesson.

Students will design an investigation to test differences between solar vehicles.  This is an excellent follow-up lesson to the solar boat activity or any other activity in which students have already experimented with other types of solar vehicles.  However, it can additionally be implemented without having a previous vehicle-design activity... View full description >>

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