Keeping it Cool With Solar: Add Solar Panel Redesign, Rebuild, Retest

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Intended Grade Level(s):
K-2
Energy Content:
Energy Efficiency,
Energy Fundamentals,
Light (Visible),
Solar Thermal
Learning Goal(s):

1. Students build shade structures that will optimize cooling the earth’s surface from sunlight, incorporating solar energy.

Unit:
Keeping it Cool With Solar
Lesson Number:
6
Pedagogy & Practice:
Early Childhood Learning,
Engineering Design,
Establishing a Culture of Science,
Hands-on Materials,
Phenomena-Driven Instruction
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
Relevant NGSS PE:
K-PS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Files Associated with this Activity:
PDF icon Keeping it Cool With Solar Lesson 6.pdf
Description:

This lesson is designed for one 60-minute session. Students will share and discuss results. Students are shown solar panel and fan and are asked, “Using solar technology, how might we make the ground in our structures even cooler?” Using the solar panel and fan, students are allowed to rebuild and measure the ground in their structure. They record the temperature of the ground in their structure.