Lesson Phenomena: Solar Power Cooling Structures
Show students the phenomenon showing a time lapse of a solar panels added to a parking structure. Provide students with a solar panel, motor, and fan to add to their built structures. Ask the question: “What are some different ways we can use this solar panel to make the ground in our structures even cooler?”
Learning Goals:
- Students build shade structures that will optimize cooling the earth’s surface from sunlight, incorporating solar energy.
Materials List
Handouts
- Thermometer Picture (either new or student’s previous work)
Classroom Supplies per group
- Student’s Structure
- 1.5 x 500 mAmp Solar PV panel with alligator clips (example)
- 1.5+ V DC motor (example)
- Propeller for motor (example)
- Thermo Infrared Thermometer (example)
- Optional – Liquid Crystal paper for visualizing heat changes (example)
Important Links