Designing a Faster Water Pump

Kidwind Small Water Pump
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power
Intended Grade Level(s):
2-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science inquiry
electricity
Energy
solar energy
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour 30 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will be able to use available tools to design and test a solar water pump, refine their design, test and finally evaluate their efforts. Through this process students will understand and gain experience with the engineering design process.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):
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Students use all their prior knowledge to design and construct a water pump that can pump 1 cup of water the fastest. View full description >>

Solar Powered Water Pumping

Kidwind Small Water Pump
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power
Intended Grade Level(s):
2-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science inquiry
scientific method
solar energy
Energy
electricity
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour 30 min
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.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):
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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. View full description >>

Making Observations and Recording Data for Solar Powered Water Pumping

Kidwind Small Water Pump
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power
Intended Grade Level(s):
2-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science inquiry
electricity
Energy
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour 30 min
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.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):
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,
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Students use a solar module and water pump to test how quickly one cup of
water can be pumped. View full description >>

A Simple Circuit

Solar Circuit
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power
Intended Grade Level(s):
2-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Circuits 101
Science inquiry
electricity
Energy
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

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

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):
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,
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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. View full description >>

Solar Powered Calculator

Solar Calculator
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power
Intended Grade Level(s):
2-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science inquiry
solar power
Energy
electricity
Estimated Activity Length:
0 sec
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.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):
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,
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The teacher will show an example of a solar powered device using a solar powered calculator. View full description >>

Probes of Prior Knowledge

Energy Transformations
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power
Intended Grade Level(s):
2-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
electricity
Energy
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
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.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):
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Teacher will administer worksheet probes (formative assessments) of students’ prior knowledge about “making electricity” and “things that run on electricity.” View full description >>

Setting Expectations for Science and Engineering Projects

Scientific Method
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Understanding Science and Engineering Through Solar Power
Intended Grade Level(s):
2-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science inquiry
scientific method
Estimated Activity Length:
30 min
Learning Goal(s):

Establishing guidelines for the unit; students will also have a better understanding of the scientific method.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):
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,
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Begin this session by setting some ground rules for science discourse. Explain to students that as we work on this unit, and science in general throughout the year, they will be asked to share their thinking about science concepts. View full description >>

Nez Perce Tribal Fish Hatchery

Location:
Juliaetta, ID
Grade Level:
K-12
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
10.00 - kilowatts

In February 2015 the Nez Perce Tribe completed a 10kW PV demonstration system at the Tribal Hatchery Complex in Juliaetta, Idaho. As a Renewable Facility, this project will function as an ongoing community education tool by teachers in four area school districts to supplement sustainability education for students throughout the Nez Perce region.



Solar 4R Schools provided a renewable energy teacher training workshop to area teachers along with customized, durable science kits for four school districts valued at approximately $12,000. Teachers at each participating school... Read full project narrative >>

Funhouse Commons

Location:
Eastsound, WA
Grade Level:
K-12
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
12.00 - kilowatts

Located in Eastsound, WA, on Orcas Island, The Funhouse Commons was founded by local activists in the spring of 1999. The Funhouse is a youth-oriented community center that fosters educational play with hands-on science exhibits, computer-based labs, and art and entertainment facilities. The Funhouse also provides many important social services aimed at the most vulnerable children in the community. The facility was designed to be a hands-on children's science museum. Science and sustainability topics are core to education programs at the Funhouse. Each year, Funhouse Commons hosts an... Read full project narrative >>

Crestline Elementary

Location:
Vancouver, WA
Grade Level:
K-5
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
12.00 - kilowatts

As a Renewable School, Crestline Elementary School is demonstrating its commitment to sustainable living and a clean energy future. Thanks to support from Clark Public Utilities, the school is generating renewable solar energy through their 12-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system, and leveraging the system's performance data as an interactive, real-world educational tool to bring energy topics to life in their classrooms. A wall-mounted, interactive... Read full project narrative >>

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