Teacher Activity Center

Electrical Grid (Transmission & Distribution),

Electricity and Magnetism,

Electricity Generation,

Electrons,

Light (Visible),

Solar Photovoltaic,

Sources of Energy,

Wind Energy

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Learning Goal(s):

Explore causes and effects of climate change as related to energy production. Develop a working understanding of varying stakeholder perspectives on the causes and effects of climate change. Through hands-on exploration, build a working speaker that can connect to a cellphone. Use DIY speakers as a model to observe the process of producing electrical currents with a simple generator. Design, build and refine a wind turbine to efficiently convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Design, build and refine a system that is the most effective at converting the sunlight into electrical energy. Students develop models to study the relationship between the Earth’s atmospheric composition and the Earth’s surface temperatures using simple diagrams. Students reflect on the impact of energy sources and power production on the environment. Students utilize their knowledge of how energy generation processes impacts the environment to inform how and why they develop a 50-year Energy Plan for their local community.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Social-Emotional Learning,

Place-Based Learning,

Phenomena-Driven Instruction,

Engineering Design

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,

4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,

7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence

Author:

Bradford Hill

Relevant NGSS PE:

HS-ESS2-4,

HS-ESS3-1,

HS-ESS3-2,

HS-ETS1-4,

HS-PS2-5,

HS-PS3-3,

HS-PS3-5,

HS-PS4-3

Other Subjects Covered:

Adrift in a Sea of Plastic

ELA: Writing,

Math: Graphing & Representation,

Math: Measurement,

Social Sciences: Analysis,

Social Sciences: Civics,

Social Sciences: Geography,

Social Sciences: Multicultural Studies

Estimated Activity Length:

0 sec

Adrift in a Sea of Plastic Unit Plan

Grades:

5-8

Unit:

Description:

In this unit students will investigate the phenomena of plastic trash islands floating in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The students will work to solve the problem of plastic trash islands through the engineering and design process. Using 3D printers,...

Energy Content:

Materials Science,

Next Generation Manufacturing,

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

· Students will design 3D models using Tinkercad software.· Students will define the problem of plastic trash islands.· Students will describe possible solutions to the problem of plastic trash islands.· Students will research the plastic trash problem and create google slideshows the problem and how we might fix it.· Students will investigate different ways to build structures that both float and hold weight.· Students will build a model of a device that could collect plastic from the ocean.· Students will test the models they build.· Students will communicate their results from scientific inquiry to identify factors that are important to optimizing the design of the plastic collecting device.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Culturally Sustaining,

English Language Strategies,

Establishing a Culture of Science,

Phenomena-Driven Instruction,

Research-Secondary,

STEAM/Arts

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,

4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,

7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence,

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Jonathan Strunin

Relevant NGSS PE:

5-ESS3-1,

3-5-ETS1-1,

3-5-ETS1-2,

3-5-ETS1-3,

MS-ESS3-3,

MS-ETS1-2,

MS-ETS1-3

Other Subjects Covered:

Environmental Sciences,

ELA: Informational Text,

Adrift in a Sea of Plastic

ELA: Writing,

Math: Geometry,

Math: Graphing & Representation

Estimated Activity Length:

10 hours

TinkerCAD: Introduction to 3D Printing

Grades:

5-8

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

This lesson is designed to span 5 days with 50-minute sections. After the introduction day, each day the students work toward mastery on the TinkerCAD tutorial online to learn how to create printable 3D models. At the end of the 4 days the students will...

Energy Content:

Next Generation Manufacturing

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will complete several computer aligned design tutorials, lessons, and one project to fully understand and implement unique 3D printed designs.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Establishing a Culture of Science,

Multiple Learning Styles,

STEAM/Arts

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

Author:

Jonathan Strunin

Relevant NGSS PE:

5-ESS3-1,

3-5-ETS1-1,

3-5-ETS1-2,

3-5-ETS1-3,

MS-ESS3-3,

MS-ETS1-2,

MS-ETS1-3

Other Subjects Covered:

Adrift in a Sea of Plastic

Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,

Math: Geometry

Estimated Activity Length:

4 hours

Design and Engineer Solutions

Grades:

5-8

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

This lesson is designed to span 9 days with 50-minute sessions. The students will use a Design and Engineering Journal to guide them in the design and engineering process. In small groups they will use the research from lesson 2 to formulate solutions to...

Energy Content:

Materials Science,

Next Generation Manufacturing,

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will take part in the engineering design process.Students will use problem solving skills to make changes to designs.Students will use speaking and listening skills to give presentations and listen to others give their presentation.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Culturally Sustaining,

English Language Strategies,

Establishing a Culture of Science,

Phenomena-Driven Instruction,

Research-Secondary,

STEAM/Arts

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,

4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,

7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence,

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Jonathan Strunin

Relevant NGSS PE:

5-ESS3-1,

3-5-ETS1-1,

3-5-ETS1-2,

3-5-ETS1-3,

MS-ESS3-3,

MS-ETS1-2,

MS-ETS1-3

Other Subjects Covered:

Environmental Sciences,

Math: Geometry,

Math: Graphing & Representation,

Estimated Activity Length:

7 hours

Illuminate Me: Merging Conductive Sewing, Technology, and Solar Power

Grades:

7-12

Unit:

Illuminate Me

Description:

Light up your clothing using solar power! For this unit, students will attach thin, flexible solar modules to a bike helmet and recharge NiMH rechargeable batteries for a renewable energy battery pack. The rechargeable batteries will be used to light up...

Energy Content:

Batteries & Storage,

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

1. Students will design and sew a wearable circuit using conductive thread. 2. Students will program a wearable microcontroller to light up garment with bright LEDs. 3. Students will incorporate solar power into a wearable garment project by recharging NiMH batteries for a renewable energy battery pack. 4. Students will apply knowledge of circuitry and energy transfer to maximize design.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Engineering Design

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions,

7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence,

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Kristy Schneider

Relevant NGSS PE:

MS-PS1-3,

MS-PS3-5,

HS-ETS1-4

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Vocabulary Development,

Math: Graphing & Representation,

Estimated Activity Length:

10 hours

Measuring Voltage Using a Microcontroller

Grades:

9-12

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

In this lesson students will be introduced to series circuits, resistors, a photoresistor and a microcontroller. There’s a lot here, but it boils down to making a voltage divider circuit and measuring the voltage at different points. A second circuit...

Energy Content:

Electronics

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will apply Ohm’s Law. Students will use a multimeter to measure current, voltage, and resistance. Students will use a breadboard to set up a series circuit. Students will read circuit diagrams. Students will calculate times for an RC circuit to change state. Students will prove that resistors in series have an equivalent resistance equal to their individual sums. Students will program the Basic Stamp to measure voltage levels in a voltage divider and RC circuit.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Hands-on Materials

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Author:

Pat Blount

Relevant NGSS PE:

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Vocabulary Development,

Math: Algebra,

Math: Functions,

Estimated Activity Length:

2 hours

Controlling a Servo

Grades:

9-12

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

In this lesson students will learn how to control a servo using the Basic Stamp. Then students will combine the photoresistor from the previous lesson with the servo to create a light controlled servo.

Energy Content:

Electronics

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will be able to apply the pulse width modulation to a servo from a Basic Stamp. Students will synthesize two circuit designs using one to control the other through the Basic Stamp.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Project-Based Learning

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

Author:

Pat Blount

Relevant NGSS PE:

HS-ETS1-4,

Other Subjects Covered:

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Creating a Light-Tracking Servo

Grades:

9-12

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will learn how to program the Basic Stamp to use information from two photoresistors to point a servo at a light source. This will be the first degree of freedom for the flower head.

Energy Content:

Light (Visible)

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will synthesize the previous lesson for light metering and servo control to design a servo controlled by two photoresistors that will track a light source.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Project-Based Learning

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

Author:

Pat Blount

Relevant NGSS PE:

Other Subjects Covered:

Computer Science

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Dual Axis Light Tracking

Grades:

9-12

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

Students will take the previous lesson and apply them in creating a light tracker with two degrees of freedom. The axis of rotation will be about the horizontal and vertical. Teams will have everything they need to make this build work. They have already...

Energy Content:

Light (Visible)

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Learning Goal(s):

Students will create a solar tracker with two degrees of freedom.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Project-Based Learning

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

Author:

Pat Blount

Relevant NGSS PE:

Other Subjects Covered:

Computer Science

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Integrating Solar Power

Grades:

9-12

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

At this point students should have a working robotic sunflower that will track the sun with 2 degrees of freedom. This next lesson powers the whole system with a photovoltaic module. A Zener diode is used to charge a 6V motorcycle battery which then...

Energy Content:

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will create voltage regulator and construct a solar battery charger.

Pedagogy & Practice: