Project-Based Learning

Light (Visible)

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Learning Goal(s):

Students will synthesize the previous lesson for light metering and servo control to design a servo controlled by two photoresistors that will track a light source.

Pedagogy & Practice:

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

A Community Powered by Renewable Energy

5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

Author:

Pat Blount

Relevant NGSS PE:

HS-ETS1-1,

HS-ETS1-2,

HS-ETS1-3,

HS-PS3-1,

HS-PS3-3

Other Subjects Covered:

Computer Science

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Part 1- Lesson 3: Home Energy Audit

Grades:

6-12

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

During this lesson, students will focus on where energy is used within their homes, how energy consumption is calculated, and how energy consumption can be reduced. Students will conduct a home energy audit and determine multiple ways to reduce energy...

Energy Content:

Demand Response,

Electrons,

Energy Efficiency,

Smart Grid

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Learning Goal(s):

1.Students will identify all ways that energy is consumed within their homes.2.Students will perform an energy audit of their home and calculate the amount of energy used by each electronic device and appliances.3.Students will create a spreadsheet demonstrating the electricity required to operate each electronic device and appliance, along with a summary of finding that clearly identifies how energy consumption can be reduced within their home.4.Students will explore various ways to reduce energy (goal is 30% reduction).5.Students will propose a variety of energy reduction plans and present those options to their families for discussion.6.After discussion with their families, students will itemize the agreed upon plan and identify specific actions that result in quantifiable outcomes that will implemented to reduce energy consumption by their families.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Empathetic Engineering,

Field Work,

Multiple Learning Styles,

Phenomena-Driven Instruction,

Place-Based Learning,

Research-Primary

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

Understanding E-Waste Through Battery Design

4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,

5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Jonathan Strunin

Relevant NGSS PE:

MS-ESS3-4,

MS-ETS1-1,

MS-ETS1-2,

MS-ETS1-3,

HS-ESS3-2,

HS-ESS3-4,

HS-ETS1-1,

HS-ETS1-2,

HS-ETS1-3,

HS-ETS1-4

Other Subjects Covered:

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,

Math: Algebra,

Math: Functions,

Math: Measurement,

Math: Ratios & Proportions

Estimated Activity Length:

4 hours

Engineering Clean Energy for Our Community

Grades:

4-5

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

This lesson plan will engage students in a design process to power a motor using a variety of energy sources. Students will compare different clean energy sources to decide which energy source will complete their design goal. Students will experiment with...

Energy Content:

Batteries & Storage,

Electricity Generation,

Electrons,

Energy Fundamentals,

Fuels,

Hydrogen,

Potential & Kinetic Energy,

Solar Photovoltaic,

Sources of Energy,

Wind Energy

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

1.Students will define “clean energy” and explain at least 4 types of alternative energy sources2.Students will compare local energy sources and national energy sources to potential energy sources being used or developed.3.Students will experiment with wind energy, solar energy, and hydrogen fuel cell model vehicles to explore alternative fuel sources.4.Students will measure voltage produced and record data in a table format.5.Students will discuss pros and cons of the different types of energy.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Phenomena-Driven Instruction,

Research-Secondary

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

Adrift in a Sea of Plastic

2: Developing and Using Models,

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:

Jonathan Strunin

Relevant NGSS PE:

5-ESS3-1,

3-5-ETS1-1,

3-5-ETS1-2,

3-5-ETS1-3

Other Subjects Covered:

Environmental Sciences,

ELA: Informational Text,

ELA: Reading: Scientific & Technical,

ELA: Vocabulary Development,

Math: Graphing & Representation,

Math: Measurement,

Social Sciences: Analysis

Estimated Activity Length:

5 hours

Engineering 101

Grades:

5-8

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

This lesson is designed for 3, 50-minute sessions. The students will engage in multiple mini-engineering challenges to develop their understanding of structures and how to build models. The students will also learn to use the 3D pens to create a 3D object...

Energy Content:

Materials Science,

Next Generation Manufacturing

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

· Students will understand some basics of engineering.· Students will become familiar with 3D pens and how to use them.

Pedagogy & Practice:

English Language Strategies,

Establishing a Culture of Science,

Phenomena-Driven Instruction,

STEAM/Arts

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

Cost Effective Solar Cells

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Author:

Jonathan Strunin

Relevant NGSS PE:

5-ESS3-1,

3-5-ETS1-1,

3-5-ETS1-2,

3-5-ETS1-3,

MS-ESS3-3,

MS-ETS1-1,

MS-ETS1-2,

MS-ETS1-3

Estimated Activity Length:

2 hours

Cost Effective Solar Cells: Solar Panel Basics

Grades:

9-12

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

This lesson is designed to be completed in one 40-minute section. Students will have already learned the concepts of basic circuits, including voltage, current, power, parallel and serial circuits. Teachers will then explain the basic concept of solar...

Energy Content:

Electrical Grid (Transmission & Distribution),

Electricity Generation,

Electrons,

Energy Fundamentals,

Solar Photovoltaic,

Sources of Energy

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will review circuitry basics and solar cell layersStudents will model N-layers, P-layers, and the N-P junction in a physical circuit activity

Pedagogy & Practice:

Research-Secondary

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Tom Wolverton

Relevant NGSS PE:

HS-PS1-2,

HS-PS2-6,

HS-PS3-3

Other Subjects Covered:

Environmental Sciences

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

A Simple Circuit

Grades:

2-5

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students make a hypothesis about how a set of materials should be connected in order to make a motor spin. Through guided trial and error students are led to the idea of a circuit as the proper way to connect the materials in order to make the fan turn....

Energy Content:

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will be able to draw a simple circuit, label its parts, and show the direction/path that current is flowing.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Establishing a Culture of Science,

Solar Resources Assessment

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

2: Developing and Using Models

Author:

Mike Hellis

Relevant NGSS PE:

4-PS3-2,

4-PS3-4,

3-5-ETS1-1

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Speaking & Listening,

ELA: Vocabulary Development

Estimated Activity Length:

50 min

Solar Site Assessment

Grades:

9-12

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will do an actual site assessment to determine the available solar resource for a chosen location.

Energy Content:

Electricity Generation,

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will be able to use a Solar Pathfinder to determine the amount of solar resource lost to shading from nearby trees, buildings, etc. Students will be able to calculate the number of kWh of electricity that can be produced in a specific location and in a specific sized area. Students will be able to calculate the amount of carbon emissions that can be offset due to installing photovoltaic panels of various sizes. Students will be able to calculate the size array needed to offset all electricity use for the high school.

Pedagogy & Practice:

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Clayton Hudiburg

Relevant NGSS PE:

HS-ESS3-2,

HS-ESS3-4,

HS-ETS1-1,

HS-ETS1-2,

HS-ETS1-3,

HS-PS3-2

Other Subjects Covered:

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,

Math: Algebra,

Math: Measurement

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Solar SPRK+ Electricity Fundamentals and Photovoltaics

Grades:

6-8

Unit:

Solar SPRK+

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students work through a number of solar circuit explorations that culminate in a challenge to charge the Sphero SPRK+ devices with solar panels. In this exploration, students will investigate the requirements of various loads, working toward the voltage...

Energy Content:

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will determine how to create various types of circuits in order to power loads with different electric needs.Students will identify the electric needs of a Sphero charger and build a circuit needed to charge this device.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Establishing a Culture of Science,

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

2: Developing and Using Models,

3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

Author:

Deb Frankel

Relevant NGSS PE:

MS-ETS1-1,

MS-ETS1-2,

MS-ETS1-3

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Writing

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Collect Data...Then Compare and Contrast

Grades:

4-6

Unit:

Solar Cars

Lesson Number:

Description:

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 centered on the selection of these different...

Energy Content:

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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.

Pedagogy & Practice:

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data

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:

1 hour

Dual Axis Light Tracking

Grades:

9-12

Unit:

Robotic Sunflower

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will take the previous lesson and apply them in creating a light tracker with two degrees of freedom. The axis of rotation will be about the horizontal and vertical. Teams will have everything they need to make this build work. They have already...

Energy Content:

Light (Visible)

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will create a solar tracker with two degrees of freedom.

Pedagogy & Practice: