Teacher Activity Center

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Learning Goal(s):

Students will design circuits using various solar panels in order to power motors with propellers. Students will learn about solar energy transfer in order to power the motors on their solar aircraft.Students will research an aircraft and draw an outline of the aircraft onto foam board. Students will explore the concept of center of gravity. Students will test the efficiency of various light sources (incandescent, fluorescent, LED, halogen) for usage by a PV cell.Students will use their prior testing results and knowledge to engineer a solar-powered mobile. Students will work to transfer the most energy from the solar panels considering all the tested variables in order to power the fastest, most efficient mobile.Students will demonstrate and explain why their solar mobile should be chosen for the solar mobile display in the children’s museum.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Phenomena-Driven Instruction,

Project-Based Learning,

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:

Kristy Schneider

Relevant NGSS PE:

MS-ETS1-3,

MS-ETS1-4,

MS-PS2-2,

MS-PS3-5

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Informational Text,

Math: Measurement

Estimated Activity Length:

0 sec

Introducing the Solar Mobile Design Challenge

Grades:

6-8

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

This lesson is aimed to engage students and build excitement for their future engineering design challenge of building the fastest Solar Powered Mobile. Through multi-media resources, Students will encounter real life solar aircrafts and a room-sized...

Energy Content:

Solar Photovoltaic,

Transportation

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will be introduced to solar aircraft. Students will form and write questions about solar aircraft into their Engineering Notebooks setting the stage for future questions.Students will be introduced to a room-sized solar mobile and add additional questions to their engineering notebook.Students will be introduced to the engineering design scenario.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Establishing a Culture of Science,

Phenomena-Driven Instruction

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems

Author:

Kristy Schneider

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Informational Text

Estimated Activity Length:

1 hour

Exploring Circuits and Optimum Power

Grades:

6-8

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

This lesson is an exploratory learning cycle that will give the instructor input as to where students are in their understanding of circuits and also scaffolds student learning. This lesson starts by engaging students by using an Energy Stick. Then,...

Energy Content:

Circuitry,

Electrical Energy,

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students build series circuits using “grain of wheat bulb” and LEDs powered by various low voltage solar panels. Students build parallel circuits using grain of wheat and LED bulbs powered by various low voltage solar panels. Students demonstrate and draw the energy transfer using solar energy. Students draw a circuit diagram of their final optimal circuit. Students design an optimal circuit model that will be used in their final project.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Project-Based Learning,

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

2: Developing and Using Models,

3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,

4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,

5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

Author:

Kristy Schneider

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Writing,

Math: Algebra,

Math: Measurement

Estimated Activity Length:

3 hours

Exploring Center of Gravity

Grades:

6-8

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

Since the concept Center of Gravity (mass) is a key factor in a mobile, students will participate in some activities to help them experience and understand this principle so it can be applied to their final Solar Mobile design. This lesson starts with a...

Energy Content:

Materials Science

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students will observe a discrepant event and write down questions about what they observed. Students will participate in a variety of activities using a meter stick in order to experience and learn about center of gravity.Students will find the center of gravity of an irregular shaped paper object by using a plumb line. Students will apply the concept of Center of Gravity and find the center of their solar aircraft that is to be used on their solar mobile.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Phenomena-Driven Instruction,

Research-Secondary,

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,

3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

Author:

Kristy Schneider

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Writing

Estimated Activity Length:

2 hours

Light Source Efficiency: Exploring Irradiance

Grades:

6-8

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

This lesson explores the concept of irradiance by having students use a Vernier Pryanometer. Using the “Light Source Efficiency” worksheet to guide their work, students measure irradiance as compared to the Sun’s irradiance to see what would be the best...

Energy Content:

Light (Visible),

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Using a Vernier Pyranometer, students will measure electromagnetic radiation in watts per square meter (W/m2 ). Students will compare Sunlight irradiance with various indoor lighting options. Students will make a recommendation as to the optimum indoor lighting for powering solar panels.

Pedagogy & Practice:

Field Work,

Hands-on Materials

NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:

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

Author:

Kristy Schneider

Other Subjects Covered:

ELA: Informational Text,

ELA: Writing,

Math: Measurement

Estimated Activity Length:

2 hours

Solar Mobile Design Challenge - Construction

Grades:

6-8

Unit:

Lesson Number:

Description:

This is the culminating hands-on project for the Solar Mobile Design Challenge Lessons, with construction aligned to an engineering design process. Students start by Restating the Design Problem that was introduced to them in the beginning of the Unit....

Energy Content:

Circuitry,

Materials Science,

More Details Less Details

Learning Goal(s):

Students brainstorm ideas and share with their group.Students draw and label Solar Mobile designs in Engineering Notebooks. Students research an aircraft to trace (if this was not accomplished in the Center of Gravity lesson) and trace the aircraft outline onto foam board. Students construct a solar circuit to power motors and propellers on a foam board aircraft and test multiple times before adding to the solar mobile stand. Students construct solar mobile stand and add their aircraft to a dowel attached to the central hub. Students work with a partner to balance each aircraft onto the mobile. Students test the mobile speed outside (depending on weather) and compare to speed under indoor light stands. After initial testing, students redesign circuits or mobile construction to optimize design. Students use hand-held devices to film their moving Mobiles to judge the machine’s speed. Students demonstrate how their Solar Mobile works and justify in writing why their mobile should be chosen for the Children’s Technology Museum.

Pedagogy & Practice: