Lesson 1: When the Grid Goes Down and Stays Down
Grades:
7-8
Learning Goal(s):
Students will understand the general structure of an energy grid Students will develop an understanding of the living conditions in Puerto Rico after Hurricane MariaStudents will collaborate to brainstorm needs to support safety, health and comfort in a natural disaster setting.Students will identify energy resources that one might desire to have in order meet the needs they identify.
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Lesson 2: Developing a Model of Thermal Energy, Atoms, and Molecules
Grades:
6-8
Learning Goal(s):
Students will develop a model through collaborative inquiry to explain thermal kinetic energy and predict the outcome when heat is added to a substance. Students will build argumentation from evidence skills through collaborative sense-making and gallery walk presentations. Students will develop a model of atomic and molecular structures.
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Lesson 2: Diving into the Physics of Motors and Generators
Grades:
9-12
Learning Goal(s):
1. Through hands-on exploration, create a working speaker for a cellphone. 2. Use the creation of a speaker to observe as a model for the process of generating electrical current in a simple generator/motor.
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Lesson 3: Exploring Center of Gravity
Grades:
6-8
Energy Content:
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.
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Lesson 3: Fuels and PV Cells
Grades:
7-8
Learning Goal(s):
Students explore the conservation of mass in chemical reactions by observing and modeling combustion reactions and exploring the essential question/phenomena, “is all fire the same?” Students will use information resources and a 3D model of a PV cell to understand how solar modules generate electricity. “How do PV cells make electricity?”Students will construct circuits to explore PV modules and variables involved in powering devices. Students evaluate, revise, and justify the energy resources suggested on an emergency preparedness supply list.
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Lesson 3: Scaling up to Power Production: Let’s Engineer a Wind Turbine
Grades:
9-12
Energy Content:
Learning Goal(s):
1. Design, build, and refine a wind turbine in order to effectively and efficiently convert motion into mechanical energy and then into electrical energy
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Lesson 4: Light Source Efficiency-Exploring Irradiance
Grades:
6-8
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.
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Lesson 4: Research and Evaluate the Impact on the Environment and Society of Converting Natural Resources into PV Cells
Grades:
7-8
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.
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Lesson 4: Scaling up to Power Production Let’s use Data to Optimize the Performance of a Solar Cell Array
Grades:
9-12
Energy Content:
Learning Goal(s):
1. Design, build, and refine a system that most effectively converts energy from the sun into electrical energy.
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Lesson 5: Engineering a Hot Pack
Grades:
7-8
Learning Goal(s):
Students will collect data to characterize a chemical reaction Students will identify the criteria and constraints of an engineering challenge. Students will design and build a hot pack that meets the criteria of the project. Students will collect data to support their proposed design.
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