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Unit Plan - Chemical Differences in Emergency Energy Sources

Grades:
7-8
Unit:
Chemical Differences in Emergency Energy Sources
Description:
Students develop atomic and molecular models of energy resources, analyze combustion of various fuels and build circuits with Photovolatic (PV) modules to evaluate and suggest revisions to a disaster preparedness supply list. They then research and evaluate...
Energy Content:
Circuitry
Electrical Energy
Electrical Grid (Transmission & Distribution)
Electrons
Fuels
Solar Photovoltaic
Sources of Energy
Thermal Energy (Heat)
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
To build empathy for people in emergency situations and an understanding of how access to energy resources can increase one’s safety, health, and comfort. To understand the nature of a variety of energy needs and how different applications have different optimal solutions. To develop models to explain the molecular and extended structures of energy resources, including how the resources change when energy is generated (Electron movement in PV cells, combustion reactions in fuel). To understand that the properties of substances depends upon the atomic / molecular structure, which changes with chemical reactions. To build a circuit that includes a solar module and measure the voltage and current. To gather and evaluate information to describe the impact on society of converting natural resources into PV cells. To design, build and test a device that uses a chemical reaction to generate or absorb thermal energy. Evaluate and revise a plan for the energy resources one should store to prepare for a natural disaster. 
Pedagogy & Practice:
Empathetic Engineering
English Language Strategies
Engineering Design
Group Work/Collaboration
Hands-on Materials
Multiple Learning Styles
Phenomena-Driven Instruction
Project-Based Learning
Research-Secondary
Social-Emotional Learning
STEAM/Arts
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
Author:
Melody Childers
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-ETS1-1
MS-ETS1-2
MS-ETS1-3
MS-ETS1-4
MS-PS1-1
MS-PS1-2
MS-PS1-3
MS-PS1-4
MS-PS1-5
MS-PS1-6
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Reading: Scientific & Technical
ELA: Speaking & Listening
ELA: Writing
Math: Algebra
Math: Graphing & Representation
Social Sciences: Multicultural Studies
Estimated Activity Length:
0 sec
Solar Cell Manufacture

Research and Evaluate the Impact on the Environment and Society of Converting Natural Resources into PV Cells

Grades:
7-8
Unit:
Chemical Differences in Emergency Energy Sources
Lesson Number:
4
Description:
Students will engage in guided research to explore resource acquisition, material processing, and electricity generation associated with photovoltaic cells. Opportunity for differentiation exists in the level of assistance in guiding the research, the...
Energy Content:
Materials Science
Solar Photovoltaic
Sources of Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
1. Students will evaluate information to describe the impact on society from resource extraction and materials-processing for PV cells.2. Students will communicate their understandings of different impacts from converting natural resources into PV cells through participation in a Socratic Seminar. 
Pedagogy & Practice:
English Language Strategies
Establishing a Culture of Science
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Melody Childers
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text
ELA: Reading: Scientific & Technical
ELA: Speaking & Listening
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
6 hours
Earth Sun

Individual Independent Projects

Grades:
3-5
Unit:
Cooking with the Sun and Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
12
Description:
The purpose of this lesson is to allow students to choose an area of interest regarding solar power and research it further in a manner of their choice. Students will produce a final product to display or share at the “Salute to the Sun” culminating event at...
Energy Content:
Light (Visible)
Materials Science
Solar Thermal
Thermal Energy (Heat)
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will plan, gather research materials and create a project of their choice. In doing so student will learn proper research methods (i.e., reliable sources) and how to categorize and translate information. In addition students will become comfortable and familiar presenting information to others. Lastly, students will also learn how to create a rubric for self evaluation.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Culturally Responsive
Engineering Design
Establishing a Culture of Science
Hands-on Materials
Multiple Learning Styles
Project-Based Learning
Research-Secondary
STEAM/Arts
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Author:
Lisa Morgan
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-ESS3-1
5-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text
ELA: Reading: Scientific & Technical
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
10 hours
Reading Concept Map

Energy Changes Forms

Grades:
3-5
Unit:
Introducing Solar Energy
Lesson Number:
3
Description:
Students read informational text about the forms of energy and energy transformation. They use a graphic organizer in the form of a concept map to take notes on details and examples. Optional – using solar beads, solicit ideas about what energy transformation...
Energy Content:
Energy Fundamentals
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will understand that energy changes form. Students will be able to name different forms of energy and give examples of some of the transformations of energy that commonly occur. Students will find details and examples in informational text.
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Leah Gorman
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-4
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text
ELA: Reading: Scientific & Technical
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Car Charger Schematic

Electrical Energy and Solar Module Efficiency

Grades:
7-12
Unit:
Off the Grid
Lesson Number:
1
Description:
This lesson will let students do research to define terms that will be used in this unit. They will record this information in their Journals, which can be scientific or simple homemade notebooks. This lesson will also introduce the multimeter, small solar...
Energy Content:
Circuitry
Electrical Energy
Energy Efficiency
Energy Fundamentals
Solar Photovoltaic
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
1. Students will document necessary terms in their journals 2. Students will be able to set up a multimeter to measure voltage 3. Students will be able to set up a multimeter to measure current 4. Students will be able to calculate power from data collected 5. Students should be able to measure the collector area of a solar module (area of solar cell(s) within solar module) and represent this value in square meters (m^2)
Pedagogy & Practice:
Group Work/Collaboration
Hands-on Materials
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data
5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Brett McFarland
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-ETS1-3
MS-PS2-3
HS-ETS1-3
HS-PS3-1
HS-PS3-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Reading: Scientific & Technical
ELA: Writing
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
4 hours
Sources of Energy

Informative Writing: Where Does Energy Come From?

Grades:
3-8
Unit:
Solar Updraft Towers
Lesson Number:
1
Description:
This lesson is a (stand alone or in-unit) guided non-fiction research and writing project, which includes a differentiated choice menu and list of ideas for publishing the completed project. Each student will choose one of ten energy sources to research,...
Energy Content:
Biomass Energy
Electrical Energy
Electricity Generation
Energy Fundamentals
Fuels
Geothermal Energy
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Hydropower
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
Solar Photovoltaic
Solar Thermal
Sources of Energy
Tidal Energy
Wave Energy
Wind Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will understand ten renewable and non-renewable energy sources on the earth.Students will learn the locations of different energy sources on the earth.Students will learn the history of energy sources and how they have been used by humans.Students will learn about innovations and inventions used to find, recover, store and release energy for human consumption.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Lisa Morgan
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2
4-PS3-3
4-PS3-4
4-ESS3-1
3-5-ETS1-1
3-5-ETS1-2
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text
ELA: Reading: Scientific & Technical
ELA: Writing
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
10 hours