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Earth Sun

Understanding Light

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Cooking with the Sun and Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
5
Description:

Students will observe and articulate their observations of the way that different materials reflect and absorb sunlight, transforming it into heat to varying degrees.

Energy Content:
Energy Fundamentals,
Light (Visible),
Materials Science
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will conduct simple experiments to learn what kind of materials absorb heat from the sun, what kind of materials reflect light from the sun and what color of materials do not get hot in the sun. This lesson gives students experience in beginning to learn about why certain materials and colors are used in solar ovens.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Lisa Morgan
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS4-2,
5-PS1-3,
5-ESS1-2
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
30 min
Earth Sun

Light Is Transformed into Heat

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Cooking with the Sun and Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
6
Description:

When absorbed (not reflected), light seems to disappear. What happens to it?

Energy Content:
Light (Visible),
Solar Thermal
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will experience how some materials absorb heat from the sun and other materials reflect the sun and stay cool.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Hands-on Materials,
Phenomena-Driven Instruction
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Lisa Morgan
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS4-2,
5-PS1-3
Estimated Activity Length:
0 sec