Creating the Most Effective Solar Heater
Intended Grade Level(s):
6-8
Learning Goal(s):
In this activity students demonstrate the ability to evaluate competing solutions to the problem of increasing the heat energy transferred to a vial of water.
Lesson Number:
3
Pedagogy & Practice:
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
Other Subjects Covered:
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Relevant Common Core Standard(s):
Files Associated with this Activity:
Description:
This part can be staged as a competition or simply a personal challenge to beat the standard solar heater created in part 1. During this stage of the lesson students are asked to analyze data and results from part 2 and identify which characteristics of a solar heater maximize its effectiveness.
Other Material(s) Used:
2-3L room temperature water • graduated cylinders or syringes for measuring 30ml of water • colored construction paper • aluminum foil • Tape/glue • sunny day • 2 vials • 2 thermometers • 2 Styrofoam plates • 1 soup bowl to be used as solar heater mold
