2-Volt, 500mA Solar Modules

How Do Solar Panels Work?

Grades:
4-6
Unit:
Solar Boats
Lesson Number:
4
Description:

Students will learn the basics of how a solar cell generates electricity and observe the effects on a small electrical load attached to a solar module under a variety of conditions. They will build upon knowledge gained in previous lessons dealing with...

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Solar Photovoltaic
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-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will be able to describe, in basic terms, the way that electricity is generated from a solar cell. Students will be able to determine that energy from the sun is being converted directly into electricity. Students will understand that this electrical energy that is produced in this energy transfer is able to perform the work required within a small load.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Carol Patrick
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Kill-A-Watt_Meter

Energy Efficiency - Lighting

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
4
Description:

In this lesson, students will learn how to read light bulb packaging (lighting facts) and do a whole class experiment comparing a 60-watt incandescent to an equivalent CFL and an LED bulb. This experiment will be conducted using a kil-o-watt meter,...

Energy Content:
Energy Efficiency,
Light (Visible)
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-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will understand what energy efficiency means, and learn how to choose energy efficient light bulbs. Students will determine which lightbulbs are the most efficient. Students will understand how energy efficiency relates to energy generation and climate change.
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
2: Developing and Using Models,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Debbie Abel
Relevant NGSS PE:
5-PS3-1,
5-ESS2-1,
5-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Vocabulary Development,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Kidwind Small Water Pump

Making Observations and Recording Data for Solar Powered Water Pumping

Grades:
2-5
Unit:
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power
Lesson Number:
5
Description:

Students use a solar module and water pump to test how quickly one cup of water can be pumped.

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Solar Photovoltaic
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will be able to make observations and record data about how quickly a solar module will drive a pump to move water.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Project-Based Learning
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
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:
Mike Hellis
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2
Other Subjects Covered:
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Sun

Solar Energy Basics

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Understanding Energy
Lesson Number:
5
Description:

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 advantages and disadvantages of using solar power...

Energy Content:
Solar Photovoltaic,
Solar Thermal,
Sources of Energy
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-
More Details Less Details
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.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Research-Primary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Eric Gronseth
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
Math: Graphing & Representation
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min
Solar Car Student

Solar Car Challenge: Develop Your Solution

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
Solar Car Challenge
Lesson Number:
5
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,
Hands-on Materials,
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Author:
Karen Nelson
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-ESS3-3,
MS-ETS1-1,
MS-ETS1-2,
MS-ETS1-3,
MS-ETS1-4
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
US DOE WInd Turbines

Variables Affecting Wind Turbine Power

Grades:
7-8
Unit:
Solar vs. Wind Energy
Lesson Number:
5
Description:

Now that students are familiar with how mechanical electricity generation works, they will build a wind turbine powered by a box fan. Different teams will test different turbine variables to see how the amount of electrical power is affected. After each...

Energy Content:
Electrical Energy,
Electricity Generation,
Wind Energy
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-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
• Students will be able to identify and explain at least three variables that affect the efficiency of wind turbines • Students will conduct a scientific investigation to determine which wind turbine configuration will generate the most power
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,
5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Craig Marais
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-ETS1-2,
MS-PS3-1,
MS-PS3-4
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
4 hours
Sunlight Incident Angle

How to Measure Output of Solar Modules

Grades:
4-6
Unit:
Solar Boats
Lesson Number:
5
Description:

Students will measure output from solar module before a load is attached and relate it to real world output. They will make these measurements using a multimeter and be able to determine the optimal angle at which their module generates a current flow....

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Solar Photovoltaic
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-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will demonstrate that solar modules create electricity when light strikes the module. Students will determine the optimum angle for the generation of current by a solar cell when given a light source (indoors or outdoors using the sun). Students will be able to effectively use a digital multimeter to measure current and voltage produced by a solar cell.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Carol Patrick
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2
Other Subjects Covered:
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Sources of Energy

Renewable/Green Energy

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
5
Description:

In this lesson, students will be introduced to the different forms of renewable/green energy. They will learn about the photovoltaic cells installed in our school district, Beaverton Schools. However, any project on

Energy Content:
Solar Photovoltaic,
Sources of Energy
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-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will learn about and observe different forms of renewable energy. They will also learn about the different photovoltaic cells installed on Beaverton or other schools with Solar 4R Schools projects.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
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: Informational Text,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Kidwind Small Water Pump

Solar Powered Water Pumping

Grades:
2-5
Unit:
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power
Lesson Number:
6
Description:

Students use a solar module and other materials in conjunction with a water pump to test how quickly one cup of water can be pumped.

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Solar Photovoltaic
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will be able to make observations and record data about how different materials affect the speed of a solar powered water pump.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Project-Based Learning
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
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
Author:
Mike Hellis
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Writing,
Math: Graphing & Representation
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Kill-a-Watt Meter

Home Energy Use

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Understanding Energy
Lesson Number:
6
Description:

This lesson is meant to provide students the opportunity to learn about the power usage of items in their home that they are already curious about. Students will learn to use a Watt meter to measure the amount of electricity various electric appliances in...

Energy Content:
Electrical Energy,
Energy Efficiency
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-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will make observations and record about the amount of energy used by various appliances in their home. Students will make conclusions about which items in their home are generating the most energy. Students will make conclusions about methods in which they can reduce the energy used in their homes.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Field Work,
Hands-on Materials,
Research-Primary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Author:
Eric Gronseth
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Vocabulary Development,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min

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