Home Energy Consumption

Kill-a-Watt Meter
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
6-8
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Power
Energy
electricity
energy efficiency
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour 30 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will understand power and energy as they relate to their electricity use. Students will be able to calculate energy consumption and the associated costs. Students will investigate ways they could reduce their own energy consumption

Students will calculate the energy consumption of a set of common household devices based on their operating power rating and then investigate the power consumption of other devices in their homes. View full description >>

Solar Car Engineering Challenge Unit

Average Rating:
5
Intended Grade Level(s):
6-8
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Engineering
solar energy
renewable resources
measurement
physics
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min
Learning Goal(s):

After the completion of this lesson students will be able to: • Describe how solar cars work • Accurately record and measure data • Use data to propose changes to experimental designs • Research a topic • Complete a full engineering assignment • Explain pros/cons of various prototypes • Work successfully within a group to accomplish a specific task • Brainstorm various ideas

Students will build a solar car using instructions provided (Sol Run). They will take measurements of their car and then test to see how fast it can travel a 3m track. After students obtain their initial results they will research how to improve the car’s top speed and then design and build an improved model. View full description >>

How Tilt Angle Affects Solar Cell Output

Solar Circuit
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
6-8
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Energy
renewable resources
inquiry
electricity
solar power
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min
Learning Goal(s):

After the completion of this lab, students will be able to describe how the angle of light exposure affects solar cell output, have practiced using a multimeter, and have analyzed collected data.

Students will expose solar cells to a light source from a set distance and measure the output with a multimeter. Students will change the angle that the light source strikes the solar panel and measure the resultant output. They will compare and contrast the outputs that the different angles produce. View full description >>

How Light Intensity Affects Solar Cell Output

Solar Circuit
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
6-8
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Energy
renewable resources
inquiry
electricity
solar power
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min
Learning Goal(s):

After the completion of this lab, students will be able to describe how the light intensity affects solar cell output, have practiced using a multimeter, and have analyzed collected data.

Students will expose solar cells to a light source from different distances and measure the output with a multimeter. They will compare and contrast the outputs that the different distances produce. View full description >>

How the Amount of Light Affects a Solar Cell

Solar Circuit
Average Rating:
0
Unit:
Intended Grade Level(s):
6-8
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Energy
renewable resources
inquiry
electricity
solar power
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min

Students will cover portions of a solar cell and measure the output with a multimeter. They will compare and contrast the outputs of different percentages shaded and different configurations using the same percentage shaded. 

View full description >>

Solar and SODIS: Creating Clean Water for the World

SODIS_UV Treament
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
5-8
Subject Area(s) Covered:
social studies
biology
life science
solar energy
Energy
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour 30 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will be introduced to the range of microbes in the environment, understand the risks of “dirty water” and be able to explain how energy from the sun can purify water through the SODIS technique.

According to Nobel Laureate Richard Smalley, the number one and two challenges for humanity are energy and clean water. This classroom activity will introduce students to a low cost, renewable technique that connects these two issues. During the activity, students will learn about the risks of contaminated water as part of the spring microbe/... View full description >>

How a Solar Cell Works: Photon Simulation

Photovoltaic Module
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-8
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Energy
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

To understand how a solar cell operates on the atomic level, through a simulation experience

The purpose of this activity is to simulate the movement of electrons at the p-n junction to create an electrical current. Students will play a modified game of musical chairs, where teams will compete against each other while creating their own electricity. By participating in the activity, students will be able to “see” how electricity is... View full description >>

Energy Review: Practical and Technical Perspectives—What is Energy?

Sources of Energy
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
4-8
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Energy
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Learning Goal(s):

To access prior knowledge about different forms of energy

Students will take a short field trip around the school to identify different types of energy. View full description >>

Using a Multimeter to Analyze a Solar Circuit: Measuring Current and Voltage—Calculating Power and Resistance

Solar Circuit
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
6-12
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Energy
electricity
Power
solar energy
circuit analysis
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour 30 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will understand that voltage is a measure of a difference in electric potential energy and that current is the rate at which charge flows through a circuit.Students will understand how to measure and quantify electricity. Students will become familiar with the relationships between the fundamental electrical quantities.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):

Students will set up a simple circuit using a multimeter and a load resistor to measure the voltage and current in the circuit. Students will learn to use a multimeter, learn how to calculate power and be introduced to Ohm’s Law. This activity provides a good introduction to understanding the relationship between fundamental electricity... View full description >>

Circuit Analysis With Solar Energy: Measure the Power Consumed by Various Devices

Solar Circuit
Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
6-12
Subject Area(s) Covered:
Energy
electricity
Power
solar energy
circuit analysis
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour 30 min
Learning Goal(s):

Students will understand that voltage is a measure of a difference in electric potential energy and that current is the rate at which charge flows through a circuit. Students will understand how to measure and quantify electricity. Students will become familiar with the relationships between the fundamental electrical quantities.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):

Students will set up a simple circuit using a solar module and three small loads. They will then use a multimeter to measure the voltage across each load and the current through each circuit. Students will then calculate the power consumption and resistance of each load.

  View full description >>