MS-ETS1-2

Part 3 – Lesson 1: A Plan for Renewable Energy Goals

Grades:

6-12

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will utilize their home energy audits from Part 1, the information they gathered from the wind and solar assessments in Part 2, and the knowledge they gained from the solar project in Part 2 to devise a plan for your city or town to meet renewable...

Energy Content:

Electrical Energy,

Electrical Grid (Transmission & Distribution),

Solar Photovoltaic,

Sources of Energy,

Wind Energy

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

1.Students will utilize previously acquired information about energy needs to create a renewable energy proposal for their city or town.2.Students will perform a solar energy audit on their homes and use class averages to calculate the amount of renewable energy that can be generated on residential properties.3.Students will assess where commercial and local government solar projects can occur within the city or town to meet the energy needs for non-residential consumers.4.Students will determine potential locations for larger scale wind and solar farms to augment the remaining energy needs of the community.5.Students will prepare a comprehensive renewable energy plan that totals the calculations for potential residential, commercial, and agency renewable energy generation.6.Students will prepare a brief PowerPoint presentation that summarizes their comprehensive plans that will be presented to a panel of elected officials or local experts/stakeholders.

Pedagogy & Practice:

21st Century Skills Development,

Engineering Design,

Field Work,

Group Work/Collaboration,

Hands-on Materials,

Multiple Learning Styles,

Phenomena-Driven Instruction,

Place-Based Learning,

Project-Based Learning,

Research-Primary

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,

2: Developing and Using Models,

3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,

4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,

5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking,

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,

7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence,

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Jonathan Strunin

Relevant NGSS PE:

MS-ETS1-1,

MS-ETS1-2,

MS-ETS1-3,

MS-ETS1-4,

HS-ESS3-2,

HS-ESS3-4,

HS-ETS1-1,

HS-ETS1-2,

HS-ETS1-3,

HS-ETS1-4

Other Subjects Covered:

Environmental Sciences,

CTE: Career & Technical Education,

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,

Math: Geometry,

Math: Ratios & Proportions,

Social Sciences: Civics,

Social Sciences: Geography

Estimated Activity Length:

4 hours

Solar Car Challenge: Redesigning Your Solution & Results of the Design Process Activity

Grades:

6-8

Unit:

Solar Car Challenge

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will play around with the solar car kits to familiarize themselves with the materials in preparation for the solar car engineering challenge.

Energy Content:

Solar Photovoltaic

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

To introduce students to the problem that this project will attempt to solve: building a solar car that will go straight, far, and fast to win a race.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Engineering Design,

Establishing a Culture of Science,

Group Work/Collaboration

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Author:

Karen Nelson

Relevant NGSS PE:

MS-ESS3-3,

MS-ETS1-1,

MS-ETS1-2,