Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy

Betty J. Tulalip Early Learning Center
Location:
Tulalip, WA
Grade Level:
PK-5
Technology Type:
PV System Size:
16.50 - kilowatts

In 2015, the Tulalip Tribe opened the doors to the Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Center overlooking scenic Tulalip Bay. This unique, year-round school combines previously dislocated early learning centers including Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, a day care, Montessori school, and Early Head Start. By partnering with Solar4RSchools, the tribe was able to forward their goals of creating a healthy, sustainable community, which engages student’s natural curiosity, and inspires... Read full project narrative >>

Coeur d' Alene Tribe Natural Resources

Location:
Plummer, ID
Grade Level:
K-12
Technology Type:
PV System Size:
14.25 - kilowatts

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe is excited to host a solar-electric demonstration project that will educate students who will become the leaders in the area in the next generations. This 14.25 -kilowatt system sits atop the Tribe's Natural Resources building and was installed in 2016.
Educators from across the... Read full project narrative >>

Mini Solar Houses Unit

Solar Mini House
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-6
Subject Area(s) Covered:
electricity
solar energy
current
voltage
photovoltaics
seasonality
Circuitry
energy transformations
Energy Storage
mini-houses
design challenge
photovoltaic installation
Estimated Activity Length:
8 hours
Learning Goal(s):

1. Students will understand how to use an Azimuth finder to determine the direction and altitude that solar modules will face. 2. Students will learn how to describe why a solar module is pitched at a particular angle. 3. Students will understand how to measure the voltage and current for an electrical energy source. 4. Students will learn how to build a circuit that will light a light bulb with a switch and without a switch. 5. Students will understand that the electricity flows through a circuit from an energy source to a load. 6. Students will understand the difference between open and closed circuits. 7. Students will understand the similarities and differences between solar cells and batteries as an energy source. 8. Students will understand how electricity flows through a circuit (from energy sources to loads) with more than one source and more than one load. 9. Students will understand how to build series and parallel circuit and the characteristics of each. 10. Students will learn to power both a light and a fan. 11. Students will learn how to find a fault in a circuit. 12. Students will understand that the electricity flows through a circuit from an energy source to a load. 13. Students will understand the difference between open and closed circuits. 14. Students will identify the causes and solutions to various complications that arise in the construction of circuits. 15. Students will use the design process to create a roof to hold an adequate number of solar modules to power an LED and a fan. 16. Students will understand how to make a geometric net (a 2D drawing that when folded creates a 3D shape) for designing a roof.

In Lesson 1, the lesson focuses on understanding how the angle and orientation affect the amount of energy that is generated through use of a solar cell. Paper azimuth finders, Keva Planks, and multimeters will be used in order for students to draw conclusions about the optimal placement of a solar cell. This lesson will prepare students for... View full description >>

Wichita Falls, TX - Educators' Workshop

Location:
Wichita Falls, TX
Grade Level:
4-12

Arconic Foundation supported STEM teacher professional development for educators in the region surrounding Arconic facilities in Wichita Falls, Texas in Spring 2016. Twenty-four teachers across 18 schools in 14 Districts participated in a professional development experience organized by their Educational Service Center (ESC) that included one day focusing on renewable energy education with Solar 4R Schools. ESC Region 9 hosted this workshop and Ward Scientific sponsored lunch and door prizes. Teachers from 4th-12th grade took home one science kit to share for every school that included... Read full project narrative >>

Wadsworth, OH - Educators' Workshop

Wadsworth OH thumbnail
Location:
Wadsworth, OH
Grade Level:
4-12

Arconic Foundation supported STEM teacher professional development for educators in the region surrounding Arconic facilities in Wadsworth, Ohio in July 2016. Partnerships were at the heart of bringing Solar 4R Schools’ education program to eight teachers across five schools in Wadsworth City Schools is expected to reach over 500 local students in the first year. Representatives at Solar 4R Schools connected with Wadsworth City Schools through the Alcoa Foundation, which is also supporting the district’s PRIME initiative (http://www.smeef.org/prime/... Read full project narrative >>

Denton, TX - Educators' Workshop

Denton TX teacher wind circuit
Location:
Denton, TX
Grade Level:
K-6

Arconic Foundation supported STEM teacher professional development for educators in the region surrounding Arconic facilities in Denton, Texas in Spring 2016. BEF’s Solar 4R Schools program and the City of Denton’s Sustainable Schools partnered to provide a STEM teacher training that enabled renewable energy programming to reach 10 educators from 9 schools across the District with substantial science kits – which are now available to teachers through a lending library hosted through Denton Sustainable Schools. The City of Denton, Denton Municipal Electric, and Denton Independent School... Read full project narrative >>

Chandler, AZ - Educators' Workshop

Chandler, AZ Solar Car
Location:
Chandler, AZ
Grade Level:
PK, 1-8

Arconic Foundation supported STEM teacher professional development for educators in the region surrounding Arconic facilities in Chandler, Arizona in Spring 2016. The Solar 4R Schools team had an opportunity to work intimately with the East Valley Chapter of the organization Engineering for Kids. Educators spent time designing the heating compartment for a solar oven (even overheating leftover pizza) and enjoyed tremendously the time spent designing and redesigning solar cars to work in the bright Arizona sun! East Valley Engineering for Kids expects to reach 150+ students over the course... Read full project narrative >>

Reflecting Sunlight

All American Sun Oven
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
reflection/absorption
electromagnetic radiation
solar energy
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will learn that reflectors can be used to increase solar oven temperatures by concentrating solar energy. Students will use their observations from the prior lesson to make claims based on the concepts of reflection and absorption within a solar oven system. Students will use their observations from reflection and absorption experiments to determine how to best capture reflected solar energy.

Students will see a demonstration and conduct a simple experiment on reflecting sunlight.  During this demonstration, they will determine the purpose of the reflectors on a solar oven’s design and make observations about their functionality. They will use what they learn to build their solar ovens. View full description >>

Solar Ovens: Choosing Colors

All American Sun Oven
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
absorption/reflection
electromagnetic radiation
solar energy
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will learn that darker colors absorb more sunlight and get warmer. Students will understand the relation of absorption to thermal radiation emission. Students will conduct an experiment that isolates color as a variable to test.

Students will conduct experiments using different colors of paper.  During this process, they will make observations about the functionality of different colors when incorporated into design in relation to reflection and absorption.  Students will use what they learn to build their solar ovens. View full description >>

Heat Conduction of Different Materials

All American Sun Oven
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
conductors
energy transfer
radiation
states of matter
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will learn that the material of the item that they choose to cook their egg in matters because different materials conduct heat differently. Students will compare insulators with conductors. Students will determine the purpose of conductors within a solar oven.

After a demonstration using Amazing Ice Melting Blocks, students will conduct small temperature experiments using different types of materials.  They will use what they learn to build their solar ovens and additionally answer discussion questions in their notebooks.

  View full description >>