3-5-ETS1-1

Collect Data and Compare Performance of Different Boat Designs

Grades:

4-6

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will race the solar speedboats, airboats, and surface submarines and then compare the performance results and of the various types of solar boats made by the class. Students will compare and contrast forces acting on the system by examining the...

Energy Content:

Electrical Energy,

Solar Photovoltaic

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will compare and contrast forces acting on the system by examining the results of the airboat, speedboat and surface submarine races. Students will collect quantitative and qualitative data points that denote the effectiveness of each boat design. Students will compare observations made during the race and draw conclusions from these observations.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Engineering Design,

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,

3-5-ETS1-3

Other Subjects Covered:

Math: Measurement

Estimated Activity Length:

0 sec

Insulation

Grades:

4-5

Unit:

Solar Ovens

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will learn about the importance of insulation in a solar oven. They will use their own background knowledge, as well as observations of insulation used to contain thermal energy, and determine how this will be incorporated into solar ovens.

Energy Content:

Solar Thermal,

Thermal Energy (Heat)

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will learn that they can increase the temperature inside of their solar ovens with insulation. Students will determine what makes a good insulator. Students will make observations about different types of insulators. Students will discuss real world examples of insulators.

Pedagogy & Practice:

English Language Strategies

Author:

Debbie Abel

Relevant NGSS PE:

4-PS3-2,

4-PS3-4,

3-5-ETS1-1,

3-5-ETS1-2,

3-5-ETS1-3

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Vocabulary Development

Estimated Activity Length:

50 min

Analyze Data and Develop Conclusions

Grades:

4-6

Unit:

Solar Boats

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students have performed the investigation. They will now analyze their data, refer to their initial predictions, and develop their conclusions. Students will have the opportunity to discuss the usefulness of both quantitative and qualitative data forms,...

Energy Content:

Electrical Energy,

Solar Photovoltaic

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will analyze data from the solar boat races and develop conclusions. Students will write out their conclusions in a clear, articulate manner that demonstrates the usage of evidence from their own observations. Students will determine specific uses for quantitative vs. qualitative data in science experiments.

Pedagogy & Practice:

English Language Strategies

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,

5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Carol Patrick

Relevant NGSS PE:

5-PS2-1,

5-PS3-1,

5-LS2-1,

3-5-ETS1-1,

3-5-ETS1-2

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Writing,

ELA: Vocabulary Development,

Math: Measurement

Estimated Activity Length:

0 sec

Let's Build Sun Ovens

Grades:

3-5

Unit:

Cooking with the Sun and Solar Ovens

Lesson Number:

Description:

The purpose of this lesson is to introduce the students to three different styles of inexpensive solar ovens. Students will work together to build a File Box oven, an auto shade/bucket oven and a “Copenhagen” style oven. Students will follow written...

Energy Content:

Solar Thermal,

Thermal Energy (Heat)

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will follow written directions and use what they have learned about necessary components of a solar oven to build three different ovens in small groups.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Group Work/Collaboration,

Hands-on Materials,

Project-Based Learning

Author:

Lisa Morgan

Relevant NGSS PE:

4-PS3-2,

4-PS3-4,

3-5-ETS1-1,

3-5-ETS1-2,

3-5-ETS1-3