To see descriptions of all available curriculum by grade level, click here. To download a PDF of all available units, click here.

Build Solar Cars

Grades:
4-6
Unit:
Solar Cars
Lesson Number:
3
Description:

Students will build their solar vehicles. There are many options for them to do this, depending on the specific variables hoping to be tested following the construction and material-selection process. Students will be given the opportunity to try out...

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Solar Photovoltaic
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will construct a geared solar car, a pulley-system solar car, or both. Students will make verbal predictions about the outcomes and viabilities of different types of solar cars. Students will pinpoint the independent, dependent, and control variables in their solar car testing process.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Project-Based Learning
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Author:
Carol Patrick
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Solar Car Race

Collect Data...Then Compare and Contrast

Grades:
4-6
Unit:
Solar Cars
Lesson Number:
4
Description:

Students will race different iterations of solar cars: geared and pulley-system cars using varying gear ratios. Students will have the opportunity to make predictions, record data, and explain the results centered on the selection of these different...

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Solar Photovoltaic
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will:Compare and contrast forces acting on the system by examining the results of the solar car races.Explain the mechanics of gear ratios and demonstrate the most useful ratio to use when constructing solar cars.Explain the benefits of employing a pulley-system in their car construction. Students will understand the importance of selecting measurable, specific variables to compare in their data collection process in order to make evidence-based claims.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Project-Based Learning
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Author:
Carol Patrick
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Checklist

Solar Ovens: Frontload Vocab. And Preview Standards

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
2
Description:

Vocabulary and standards will be reviewed throughout all of the lessons, but this day is dedicated to front loading the vocabulary and previewing the standards. Students will use their energy workbook to keep track of vocabulary from this point forward...

Energy Content:
Potential & Kinetic Energy,
Solar Thermal,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will preview vocabulary and standards in order to better comprehend future lessons.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Multilingual Strategies
Author:
Debbie Abel
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Pollution

Non-renewable Energy/Global Warming/Pollution

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
3
Description:

NOTE: THIS LESSON RELIES ON EPA CLIMATE CHANGE RESOURCES THAT ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. STUDENTENERGY.ORG PROVIDES A POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE RESOURCE.

This lesson will introduce the students to worldwide problems that we have with energy. (91% of the...

Energy Content:
Sources of Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will explore why there is a need for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Students will determine how non-renewable and renewable energy are a part of our lives. Students will understand how the greenhouse effect and nonrenewable energy sources relate to climate change.
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
2: Developing and Using Models
Author:
Debbie Abel
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Sources of Energy

Renewable/Green Energy

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
5
Description:

In this lesson, students will be introduced to the different forms of renewable/green energy. They will learn about the photovoltaic cells installed in our school district, Beaverton Schools. However, any project on

Energy Content:
Solar Photovoltaic,
Sources of Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will learn about and observe different forms of renewable energy. They will also learn about the different photovoltaic cells installed on Beaverton or other schools with Solar 4R Schools projects.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Debbie Abel
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Solar Circuit

Solar vs. Battery Circuits

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
6
Description:

In this lesson, students will explore and do small experiments with mini solar panels and circuit boards. The class will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy. Students will continue to work in their Solar Energy Student Notebooks to...

Energy Content:
Batteries & Storage,
Biomass Energy,
Electrical Energy,
Solar Photovoltaic
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will do experiments that reinforce the idea that the sun’s energy can be transferred into electrical energy. Students will also explore and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy. Students will discuss how solar energy compares to other forms of energy generation.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Multiple Learning Styles
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Author:
Debbie Abel
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Wadsworth OH thumbnail

Lerato Cooks Up a Plan

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
7
Description:

The teacher will begin reading aloud the realistic fiction book, “Lerato Cooks Up a Plan” from Engineering is Elementary. In this book, a young girl from Botswana learns science ideas that help her design a solar oven for her family. Students will reflect...

Energy Content:
Solar Thermal,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will identify a real world problem that can be solved using solar energy. Students determine how the sun can be harnessed without generating electricity from it.
Author:
Debbie Abel
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Reading: Literature,
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
All American Sun Oven

Professional Sun Oven

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
8
Description:

Students will view a professional solar oven in use and hypothesize how it works. They will do this through observing the oven in action as it cooks an egg, then recording their observations. This will be recorded in their energy notebooks.

Energy Content:
Solar Thermal,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will learn how a professional solar oven works. Students will make scientific observations about the functionality of a solar oven. Students will practice prototyping through their own sketches of a solar oven.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Research-Secondary
Author:
Debbie Abel
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
All American Sun Oven

Insulation

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
9
Description:

Students will learn about the importance of insulation in a solar oven. They will use their own background knowledge, as well as observations of insulation used to contain thermal energy, and determine how this will be incorporated into solar ovens.

Energy Content:
Solar Thermal,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will learn that they can increase the temperature inside of their solar ovens with insulation. Students will determine what makes a good insulator. Students will make observations about different types of insulators. Students will discuss real world examples of insulators.
Pedagogy & Practice:
English Language Strategies
Author:
Debbie Abel
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
All American Sun Oven

Heat Conduction of Different Materials

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
10
Description:

After a demonstration using Amazing Ice Melting Blocks, students will conduct small temperature experiments using different types of materials. They will use what they learn to build their solar ovens and additionally answer discussion questions in their...

Energy Content:
Materials Science,
Solar Thermal,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will learn that the material of the item that they choose to cook their egg in matters because different materials conduct heat differently. Students will compare insulators with conductors. Students will determine the purpose of conductors within a solar oven.
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
2: Developing and Using Models
Author:
Debbie Abel
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min

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