Analyze Data and Develop Conclusions

Solar Boat Race
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Solar Boats
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
energy transfer
energy transformation
analysis
conclusions
writing frames
quantitative analysis
qualitative analysis
observations
writing
Estimated Activity Length:
0 sec
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.

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

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Collect Data and Compare Performance of Different Boat Designs

Solar Boat Race
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Solar Boats
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
electricity
data collection
analysis
force
buoyancy
gravity
variables
motion
acceleration
Estimated Activity Length:
0 sec
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.

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

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Building Solar Boats

Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Solar Boats
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
solar energy
rudder
propeller
motor
troubleshooting
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Learning Goal(s):

Students will follow step-by-step instructions to build their solar boats. They will troubleshoot as necessary by making sure electricity flows into the motor to make the vehicles move by propeller or gears. Students will determine different data points that are useful in the determining the most effective design for a solar powered boat. Students will undergo the process of redesign, noting why they made changes to particular variables on their boat and noting how these changes played out.

Students will follow step-by-step instructions to build their solar boats. They will troubleshoot as necessary by making sure electricity flows into the motor to make the vehicles move by propeller or gears.

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Solar Boat Science Investigation

Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Solar Boats
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
energy transfer
force
Laws of Motion
engineering design process
investigation
variable
fair test
dependent variable
independent variable
controlled variable
control
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will design an investigation to test three models of solar vehicles. Students will justify which materials will be used in their construction. Students will be able to support their design with reasoning. Students will determine different methods of collecting data from their experiment relating to three types of solar boats.

Design a science investigation to test a solar speedboat, airboat, and surface submarine. Students will use the “Planning an Investigation Template” in order to determine their motivations for designing a

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How to Measure Output of Solar Modules

Sunlight Incident Angle
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Solar Boats
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
circuit
open circuit
voltage
current
Power
short circuit
multimeter
measurement
load
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
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.

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

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How Do Solar Panels Work?

2-Volt, 500mA Solar Modules
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Solar Boats
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
solar energy
photovoltaic effect
solar thermal
electromagnetic radiation
greenhouse effect
absorption
reflection
conductivity
energy transfer
photons
electrons
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
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.

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

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What is Force?

Foil Barge
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Solar Boats
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
motion
acceleration
resistance
friction
gravity
thrust
force
Laws of Motion
buoyancy
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour 30 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will identify the Laws of Motion and learn about the forces acting on the system. There are multiple forces acting on a boat, some of these forces include, acceleration, friction, gravity and thrust.

Students will build a barge out of tin foil and describe the forces acting it. The barge itself is designed only with the constraints that passengers within the barge will not get wet, allowing for students

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What is Energy Transfer?

Energy Transformations
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Solar Boats
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
potential energy
kinetic energy
energy sources
renewable energy
circuits
energy transfer
energy transformation
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours 30 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will obtain the foundational knowledge of energy sources and forms of energy. In addition, students will learn that energy can transfer from one form to another. Students will be able to match images of energy transformations to their respected vocabulary.

Students will continue to build an understanding of the fundamentals of energy through observing and describing a variety of energy transformations and build on their foundational vocabulary for identifying

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What is Energy?

Energy Transformations
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Solar Boats
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
potential energy
kinetic energy
energy sources
nuclear energy
fossil fuel energy
renewable energy
circuits
energy transfer
fuels
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Learning Goal(s):

Students will obtain the foundational knowledge of energy sources and forms of energy. In addition, students will learn that energy can transfer from one form to another. Students will build the understanding that there are different types of energy and many can not be directly observed.

Students will gain an understanding of the fundamentals of energy through observing a variety of energy transformations and develop a foundational vocabulary for identifying and discussing energy concepts.

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Shaw Island Community Solar

Location:
Shaw Island, WA
Grade Level:
K-8
Technology Type:
solar
PV System Size:
1.70 - kilowatts

The San Juan Islands Conservation District is partnered with Orcas Power and Light Cooperative (OPALCO) and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation to install solar electric systems at the public schools on Lopez, Orcas, San Juan, and Shaw Islands in 2015. This exciting community solar project will deliver renewable energy to our public schools, reducing their electricity bills, and provide renewable energy education for our students. Participants receive a payback through production incentives. Shaw Island School is generating renewable solar energy through the community solar... Read full project narrative >>

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