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Lesson Plan
Oceanic Research Group

Heat Transfer and Cooling

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Astronauts train underwater to simulate the change in gravity. An out-of-this-world unit includes three hands-on activities, one teacher demonstration, and a discussion related to some of the challenges astronauts face. Scholars apply...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Heat: Building and Testing a Solar Oven

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Building a solar oven is always an enriching and engaging activity when your class is studying forms of energy or alternative and renewable energy sources. This lesson plan refers you to the re-energy.ca home website for specific...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Photoelectric Effect in Photocells

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Illuminate your physics class with this examination of a photovoltaic cell. Teach the structure and operation of the device using a diagram. Then make a human-powered, larger-than-life sized model of a PV cell. Learners become electrons...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Absorption of Solar Energy

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Two sequential parts to this lesson introduce your class to the electromagnetic spectrum, the ability to absorb radiant energy, and the pigments in leaves that are responsible for collecting sunlight to be used in the photosynthetic...
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Lesson Plan
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Bonneville

Bioreactor Water Circulation System

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Make those microbes warm up water. Pupils first investigate water pumps, then design a water circulation system that uses solar energy. A bioreactor in the system takes energy from compost and helps heat water.
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Interactive
PBS

Insolation on Earth

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
In 2017, the world increased the capacity for using solar energy by a whopping 32 percent. Is solar energy the future for the planet? Approach this topic from the idea of how much solar energy reaches the surface of Earth. Individuals...
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Lesson Plan
NASA

Here Comes the Light!

For Students 7th - 12th
Look beyond the light! An engaging activity introduces young scholars to the application of a spectroscope. The lesson is the fifth in a series of six and focuses on the analysis of the elements of the sun.
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Lab Resource
Colorado State University

What Does Color Have to Do with Cooling?

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Study the rate of cooling for objects of different colors. Learners focus on the reflection and absorption of infrared light. Your classes may be surprised to learn objects that heat the slowest also cool the slowest.
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Activity
American Chemical Society

Exploring Energy

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
When asked to list everyday objects that require energy, most people list technology that use batteries or electricity. Through hands-on exploration, young scientists discover energy is much more than just circuitry. They play with...
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PPT
National Energy Education Development Project

Introduction to Solar Energy

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
People have been using solar energy for many generations to dry crops, heat homes, and for light. This presentation explains how now it is possible to capture the solar energy and store it for future use, details how and where people use...
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Activity
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Teach Engineering

Flame Test: Red, Green, Blue, Violet?

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
Let the true colors shine through. Pupils conduct a flame test to identify an unknown element. Class members calculate and prepare specific molarity solutions of three chemicals. Using their observations of the colors emitted, they...
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Activity
Teach Engineering

Energy Forms and States Demonstrations

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Does a tennis ball have energy? What about a bowling ball? Demonstrate concepts of different forms of energy forms and states with a variety of objects. Using the equations for potential and kinetic energy, learners determine the amount...
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Activity
US Department of Energy

Solar Cooking

For Teachers 4th - 7th Standards
Who needs a barbecue grill to cook hot dogs when you have the amazing power of the sun at your disposal? Engage young scientists in learning about solar energy with this fun activity that turns a used Pringles can into a solar powered...
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Lesson Plan
Green Learning

Build Your Own Solar Oven

For Teachers 6th - 12th
This is not exactly a lesson plan, but rather a six-page document detailing how to build a solar oven. A bit of background information, materials list, diagrams and photos, and clearly-written procedures are all included. There are no...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Urban Heat Islands: An Introduction to Energy Transfer and Transformation

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Elementary school physical scientists explore kinetic mechanical energy by dropping a golf ball on different surfaces. They discuss how human made materials might react to light differently from nature made materials. This lesson plan...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Albedo and Irradiation of Surfaces

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Here is a physical science activity where pupils place thermometers inside of a white and a black paper pocket and place them under a lamp. They record and compare the temperature increase over a ten-minute period. Have your class...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Project Energy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore multiple types of energy. In this energy lesson, students prepare a science fair project through completing a WebQuest. Students investigate radiant, thermal, and biochemical energy.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Effects of Light and Temperature on the Growth and Development of Plants

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the effects of light and temperature on plant growth and development. In this plant growth lesson plan, students use radish plants and cover them with different shades of green and red transparencies and observe...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flow of Energy Through An Ecosystem

For Teachers 7th - 9th
In this flow of energy in an ecosystem, students complete a graphic organizer and show the flow of energy from the sun to producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers, tertiary consumers and then decomposers. Students define each of...
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PPT
Curated OER

Light - Plant Science Chapter #8

For Teachers 9th - 12th
A brief presentation provides notes on light for agriculture pupils. Topics covered are light quality and duration, how resulting temperatures affect crop selection, vernilization, and bolting. Even though this is titled "Light," it...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Invisible Energy in Light

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students investigate radiant energy. In this earth science lesson, students use solar beads and clear sunscreen to observe radiant solar energy. Students note observations.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Collectors

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Young scholars explore solar collection. In this solar energy lesson, students use two circles of white and black construction paper at the bottom of containers of water to investigate solar collection. Young scholars record the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar S'Mores

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students investigate solar energy. In this solar energy lesson, students compare how heat is absorbed in light-colored objects and dark-colored objects by making S'mores.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar S'Mores

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Learners see that solar energy is the energy given off by the sun. They explain that when light energy is absorbed by objects it is changed to heat energy and that dark-colored objects absorb more light and store more heat from sunlight.