Keeping it Cool With Solar: Making Shade

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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 will analyze the effect of different types and colors of paper have when placed in the path of sunlight.

Unit:
Keeping it Cool With Solar
Lesson Number:
2
Pedagogy & Practice:
Early Childhood Learning,
Engineering Design,
Establishing a Culture of Science
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:
30 min
Files Associated with this Activity:
PDF icon Sunlight through the forest picture for Keeping it Cool Unit Lesson 2.pdf
PDF icon Keeping it Cool With Solar Lesson 2.pdf
PDF icon Lesson 2 - Graph for Letting the Light Through.pdf
Description:

This lesson is designed for one 30-minute session. After reviewing the hot/cool playground spots from Lesson 1, Students will be asked, “On a hot day, which materials might keep the ground the coolest?”. Students will be given tissue paper, photocopy paper, and construction paper. Students will go outside in the sun and explore which type of paper will allow the least light through. Students will graph the results on a worksheet.

Other Material(s) Used:
o Tissue paper - one light, one medium, one dark color. o construction paper - one light, one medium, one dark color. o Printer paper - one light, one medium, one dark color.