Insulation

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

Students will learn that they can increase the temperature inside of their solar ovens with insulation. Students will determine what makes a good insulator. Students will make observations about different types of insulators. Students will discuss real world examples of insulators.

Students will learn about the importance of insulation in a solar oven.  They will use their own background knowledge, as well as observations of insulation used to contain thermal energy, and determine how this will be incorporated into solar ovens. View full description >>

Professional Sun Oven

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

Students will learn how a professional solar oven works. Students will make scientific observations about the functionality of a solar oven. Students will practice prototyping through their own sketches of a solar oven.

Students will view a professional solar oven in use and hypothesize how it works.  They will do this through observing the oven in action as it cooks an egg, then recording their observations.  This will be recorded in their energy notebooks. View full description >>

Lerato Cooks Up a Plan

Wadsworth OH thumbnail
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
solar energy
passive solar
infrared radiation
solar applications
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will identify a real world problem that can be solved using solar energy. Students determine how the sun can be harnessed without generating electricity from it.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):

The teacher will begin reading aloud the realistic fiction book, “Lerato Cooks Up a Plan” from Engineering is Elementary.  In this book, a young girl from Botswana learns science ideas that help her design a solar oven for her family.  Students will reflect on the story in their notebooks. View full description >>

Solar vs. Battery Circuits

Solar Circuit
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
solar energy
photovoltaics
electricity
renewable energy
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will do experiments that reinforce the idea that the sun’s energy can be transferred into electrical energy. Students will also explore and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy. Students will discuss how solar energy compares to other forms of energy generation.

In this lesson, students will explore and do small experiments with mini solar panels and circuit boards.  The class will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy.  Students will continue to work in their Solar Energy Student Notebooks to record their observations and discussion. View full description >>

Renewable/Green Energy

Sources of Energy
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
kinetic
potential
renewable
non-renewable
fossil fuels
global warming
climate change
solar energy
wind energy
hydroelectric power
sources of energy
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will learn about and observe different forms of renewable energy. They will also learn about the different photovoltaic cells installed on Beaverton or other schools with Solar 4R Schools projects.

In this lesson, students will be introduced to the different forms of renewable/green energy.  They will learn about the photovoltaic cells installed in our school district, Beaverton Schools. However, any project on View full description >>

Energy Efficiency - Lighting

Kill-A-Watt_Meter
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
efficiency
electricity
Power
lumens
Watts
equivalent
LED (light emitting diode) light
CFL (compact fluorescent light)
incandescent light
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will understand what energy efficiency means, and learn how to choose energy efficient light bulbs. Students will determine which lightbulbs are the most efficient. Students will understand how energy efficiency relates to energy generation and climate change.

In this lesson, students will learn how to read light bulb packaging (lighting facts) and do a whole class experiment comparing a 60-watt incandescent to an equivalent CFL and an LED bulb. This experiment will be conducted using a kil-o-watt meter, engaging students with electricity content such related to power and energy usage in the home.  ... View full description >>

Non-renewable Energy/Global Warming/Pollution

Pollution
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
kinetic
potential
renewable
non-renewable
fossil fuels
global warming
climate change
solar energy
wind energy
hydroelectric power
sources of energy
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will explore why there is a need for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Students will determine how non-renewable and renewable energy are a part of our lives. Students will understand how the greenhouse effect and nonrenewable energy sources relate to climate change.

NOTE: THIS LESSON RELIES ON EPA CLIMATE CHANGE RESOURCES THAT ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. STUDENTENERGY.ORG PROVIDES A POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE RESOURCE.

This lesson will introduce the students to worldwide problems that we have with energy. (91% of the energy we use is non-renewable, 9% of the energy we use is renewable).  Students will explore... View full description >>

Solar Ovens: Frontload Vocab. And Preview Standards

Checklist
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
kinetic
potential
renewable
non-renewable
fossil fuels
global warming
climate change
solar energy
wind energy
hydroelectric power
sources of energy
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will preview vocabulary and standards in order to better comprehend future lessons.

Vocabulary and standards will be reviewed throughout all of the lessons, but this day is dedicated to front loading the vocabulary and previewing the standards.  Students will use their energy workbook to keep track of vocabulary from this point forward through the rest of the unit. View full description >>

What is Energy? Where does it come from?

Sources of Energy
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-5
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Science
Energy
energy transformation
potential energy
kinetic energy
chemical
nuclear
elastic
gravitational
electric
light
heat
sound
motion
energy sources
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will obtain basic background information on energy. Students will use their background knowledge to determine what different examples of energy are.

Students will be introduced to the scientific meaning of energy and complete a lesson on forms of energy vs. sources of energy.  They will learn that most of the energy they use comes from fossil fuels.  (Petroleum 35%, Natural Gas 27%, Coal 18%=82%)

Engagement Teaser:  The teacher will let the students know that they... View full description >>

Thomas Jefferson Middle School

play structure with electricians
Location:
Vancouver, WA
Grade Level:
5-8
Technology Type:
PV System Size:
9.75 - kilowatts

Thanks to support from Clark Public Utilities Green Lights Customers, Solar 4R Schools managed the installation of a 12 kW solar photovoltaic system on Thomas Jefferson Middle School's play structure to supply the school with clean, renewable energy and a real-world learning opportunity. Educators at the school received a customized renewable energy teacher training from Solar 4R Schools in 2016, complete with hands-on science kit materials to augment the school's existing curricula, and complete access to the resources available on the Solar4RSchools.org website. A total of 15 teachers... Read full project narrative >>