Earth Sun

School Energy Hunt

Grades:
3-4
Unit:
Cooking with the Sun and Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
1
Description:

The purpose of this lesson is to help students understand that everything that is powered by energy comes from a source from nature. This is meant to be an introductory lesson on identifying sources of energy

Energy Content:
Sources of Energy
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
At the end of this lesson students will be able to list equipment in the school that is powered by energy. They will also be able to identify the various types of energy that power the equipment.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Place-Based Learning,
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Lisa Morgan
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Energy Transformations

Probes of Prior Knowledge

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

Teacher will administer worksheet probes (formative assessments) of students’ prior knowledge about “making electricity” and “things that run on electricity.”

Energy Content:
Electrical Energy,
Sources of Energy
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will be able to identify the different ways that electrical energy (electricity) is transformed (generated) and identify different everyday items that use electricity.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Establishing a Culture of Science,
Multiple Learning Styles
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Author:
Mike Hellis
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-ESS3-1,
5-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Earth Sun

The Amazing Cardboard Cook-O-Matic

Grades:
3-5
Unit:
Cooking with the Sun and Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
2
Description:

The purpose of this lesson is to introduce the students to the concept of solar ovens and cooking with energy from the sun.

Energy Content:
Solar Thermal,
Sources of Energy,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
At the end of this lesson students will understand that the sun can be used to cook food. They will also be introduced to the basic components required to build a successful solar oven.
Pedagogy & Practice:
STEAM/Arts
Author:
Lisa Morgan
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
5-ESS3-1,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Solar Calculator

Solar Powered Calculator

Grades:
2-5
Unit:
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power
Lesson Number:
3
Description:

The teacher will show an example of a solar powered device using a solar powered calculator.

Energy Content:
Electrical Energy,
Electricity Generation,
Energy Fundamentals,
Solar Photovoltaic
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will be able to explain that some devices use light energy and transform into electrical energy, which powers different devices such as lights.
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Author:
Mike Hellis
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
0 sec
Earth Sun

Our Sensational Sun

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

The purpose of this lesson is to record information that the students learn about the sun on a chart. This chart will be used for the entire unit. It will serve as a good reference for guiding the lessons and providing information for student research.

Energy Content:
Sources of Energy
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
At the end of this lesson, students will have written numerous facts about the sun that they 1) already know, 2) want to know and 3) have learned.
Pedagogy & Practice:
STEAM/Arts
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Lisa Morgan
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-ESS3-1,
5-ESS1-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing
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)
+
-
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