Instructional Video7:31
Curated OER

Solar Thermal Energy: Harnessing the Power of the Sun

9th - 12th
A small community in Denmark meets almost all of its energy needs through a solar energy plant. The video explains how solar panels work. Individuals in European countries who have installed solar panels on their homes share the...
Instructional Video3:46
Steve Spangler Science

Sun Sensitive Paper

1st - 5th
Photo reactive paper is used to do art! You can order this type of paper, have learners place objects on it, and then set it out in the sunlight for a few minutes to create a print. A chemical reaction occurs, driven by light, to turn...
Instructional Video2:04
Curated OER

Solar Power 101 - How Does Sunlight Turn into Electricity?

4th - 8th
A lively narrator talks about how solar energy can be converted into electricity. Brightly-colored animations and diagrams along with short video clips make this an appealing presentation. Use it as an introduction to solar power with...
Instructional Video3:39
Curated OER

Solar Thermal Power Station

9th - 12th
A forty story tower collects the sun's rays from a series of 600 mirrors and converts them into usable energy for the city of Seville, Spain. The video quality is poor, but the technology is amazing, making this worthwhile to show when...
Instructional Video5:27
Curated OER

Solar Energy

6th - 12th
"Here Comes the Sun" and other upbeat tunes, set the atmosphere for this video. It consists of pictures and text that define solar energy and tell how it is being used. Photovoltaic cells are explained, and pros and cons are presented....
Instructional Video2:48
Curated OER

Alternative Energy

6th - 12th
Solar energy and biofuels are introduced as future alternative sources of energy. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has made it their mission to make these alternatives more efficient and competitive with the use of fossil fuels....
Instructional Video3:38
Curated OER

Alternative Energy Sources

6th - 12th
With a variety of video clips and diagrams, the narrator acquaints the audience with three sources of alternative energy: the sun, the wind, and water. This is a homemade video created as a homework assignment, but it is well-done and...
Instructional Video6:42
Curated OER

Science Fair Project - Electric Pulse Motor

7th - 12th
As a complex project, it's ideal for your older learners. Discuss electric currents and solar energy before building the motor to preload information. While sound is not included here, the steps are described through text and visual...
Instructional Video2:32
Curated OER

Introduction to Solar Photovoltaics

6th - 12th
Delve into the practical basics of solar energy. This video opens with a short explanation of photovoltaic cells and how they convert solar energy into usable electricity. Actual footage of photovoltaic cell installation and computer...