Cost Effective Solar Cells: Solar Energy Equity and Sustainability
Intended Grade Level(s):
9-12
Energy Content:
Learning Goal(s):
- Students will read at least three articles discussing solar power generation, and the social, cultural, and economic implications of sustainable solar energy
- Students will discuss social, cultural, and economic implications of sustainable solar energy in a Socratic Seminar format.
Lesson Number:
1
Pedagogy & Practice:
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours
Files Associated with this Activity:
Description:
This lesson is designed to span 2 days with 40-minute sections. On the introduction day, three solar power articles will be read to set up a Socratic Seminar dialogue on Day 2. A teacher will need to read the articles. The articles investigate the pros and cons of solar energy, the sustainability of solar energy technology, and newer solar energy technology advances. As this is an introductory lesson, teachers do not yet need to feel confident about solar cell basics. Students should become familiar with some of the basic principles of solar power generation through article reading, as well as some social, cultural, and economic impacts of solar power generation.
