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Solar Mobile

Solar Mobile Design Challenge Unit Plan

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
Solar Mobile Design Challenge
Description:
This unit involves students learning about transferring solar energy to small motors, exploring the center of gravity and testing light sources (including the sun). The culminating engineering design project gives students the chance to pull together their...
Energy Content:
Circuitry
Electricity and Magnetism
Energy Efficiency
Materials Science
Solar Photovoltaic
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More Details Less Details
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:
Engineering Design
Group Work/Collaboration
Hands-on Materials
Phenomena-Driven Instruction
Project-Based 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:
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
Solar Mobile

Introducing the Solar Mobile Design Challenge

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
Solar Mobile Design Challenge
Lesson Number:
1
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 Solar...
Energy Content:
Solar Photovoltaic
Transportation
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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:
Engineering Design
Establishing a Culture of Science
Group Work/Collaboration
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
Solar Mobile

Exploring Circuits and Optimum Power

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
Solar Mobile Design Challenge
Lesson Number:
2
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, students...
Energy Content:
Circuitry
Electrical Energy
Solar Photovoltaic
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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:
Engineering Design
Group Work/Collaboration
Hands-on Materials
Project-Based Learning
STEAM/Arts
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
Solar Mobile

Exploring Center of Gravity

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
Solar Mobile Design Challenge
Lesson Number:
3
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
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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:
Engineering Design
Hands-on Materials
Phenomena-Driven Instruction
Research-Secondary
STEAM/Arts
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
Solar Mobile

Light Source Efficiency: Exploring Irradiance

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
Solar Mobile Design Challenge
Lesson Number:
4
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 li...
Energy Content:
Light (Visible)
Solar Photovoltaic
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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
Group Work/Collaboration
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

Solar Mobile Design Challenge - Construction

Grades:
6-8
Unit:
Solar Mobile Design Challenge
Lesson Number:
5
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. Next,...
Energy Content:
Circuitry
Materials Science
Solar Photovoltaic
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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:
Engineering Design
Group Work/Collaboration
Hands-on Materials
STEAM/Arts
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems
2: Developing and Using Models
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Kristy Schneider
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
6 hours
Sources of Energy

What is Energy? Where does it come from?

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
1
Description:
Students will be introduced to the scientific meaning of energy and complete a lesson on forms of energy vs. sources of energy. They will learn that most of the energy they use comes from fossil fuels. (Petroleum 35%, Natural Gas 27%, Coal 18%=82%) Engagement...
Energy Content:
Energy Fundamentals
Sources of Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will obtain basic background information on energy. Students will use their background knowledge to determine what different examples of energy are.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Debbie Abel
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
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 we...
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
Kill-A-Watt_Meter

Energy Efficiency - Lighting

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
4
Description:
In this lesson, students will learn how to read light bulb packaging (lighting facts) and do a whole class experiment comparing a 60-watt incandescent to an equivalent CFL and an LED bulb. This experiment will be conducted using a kil-o-watt meter, engaging...
Energy Content:
Energy Efficiency
Light (Visible)
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will understand what energy efficiency means, and learn how to choose energy efficient light bulbs. Students will determine which lightbulbs are the most efficient. Students will understand how energy efficiency relates to energy generation and climate change.
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
2: Developing and Using Models
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Debbie Abel
Relevant NGSS PE:
5-PS3-1
5-ESS2-1
5-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min

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