Students retrofit milk jugs to absorb and retain the most solar energy. This process involves students collecting data that measures the impacts of different variables on the solar energy absorbed by each collection device. Students should be able to see patterns in both the absorption and retention of heat by various types of designs. During this activity, students will build background knowledge to help them apply these concepts on a larger scale in the proceeding lesson plans.

Solar energy is available when the sun shines but energy can be supplemented at night by the release of energy during the composting of organic waste. In this activity we will experiment with the feasibility of harnessing thermal energy to heat water with a bioreactor. Students will experiment with using compost buckets as bioreactors, first experimenting to increase temperature yield of the compost and then using that generated thermal energy to heat water. This lesson is a prep lesson towards the ultimate goal of designing a system that uses compost and a heat exchanger to keep water from freezing over during the winter. To increase temperature yield, students will examine the effects of different types of “fuel,” or organic waste, for their bioreactor.

Solar energy is available when the sun shines but energy can be supplemented at night by the decomposition energy in a bioreactor. In this activity we will experiment with the feasibility of using heated water in a bioreactor to circulate it through a water trough or pipe system to prevent it from freezing in the winter. This method will save money and natural resources for those who rely on water trough heaters to water livestock or those who use heat coil systems to make sure pipes do not freeze in winter months. This system could also be used as a radiant heating system throughout a shed or chicken coop to warm the shelter in winter.