Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Summer Camp 2050

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create a camp for the future. In this simulation activity, students will research various energy sources, and create a proposal for the "city council" to recommend what energy sources should be used for a summer camp in the year...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

From Sunlight to Electric Current

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore concept of current in electrical circuits. They examine how energy from the sun can be used to power everyday items, including vehicles.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Much Energy is a Kilowatt Hour?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the conservation of energy.  In this energy instructional activity students explain the differences between potential and kinetic energy.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Powered Cars

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students build and race solar powered cars after a teacher lecture. They answer questions based on their experiences with the car they build.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electrolysis of Water

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders examine the electrolysis of water by completing an experiment.  In this water lesson students will explain how hydrogen can be extracted from water and how energy flows through an electrolysis system. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Do Different Colors Absorb Heat Better?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Pupils work together to test how the color of a material affects how much heat it absorbs. They make predictions and take notes on their observations. They discover how engineers use this type of information.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Effects of the Sun on Our Planet

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine the effect of different types of light on the Earth. They discover the role of evaporation and the effects of the sun on the magnetosphere. They also observe different solar phenomena.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Effects of the Sun on Our Planet (Grades 2-4)

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students observe how the sun's rays can cause evaporation and discuss its role in the weather cycle. They discover what the sun's energy brings to plants. They examine how different types of technology can enhance the amount of solar...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Running on Renewables

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Learners investigate the costs and benefits of switching their school to sustainable technology energy production. They use software called HOMER developed by the National Renewable Energy Lab to do the cost/ benefit analysis. They then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Powering a Green Earth

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students compare and contrast renewable and nonrenewable energy. In this environmental science lesson, students discuss the importance of going green. They identify the different components in a power grid system.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Analogies

For Students 7th - 12th
In this analogies worksheet, students complete the analogies about fuel, carbon dioxide, decay, and more. Students complete 10 analogies.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modeling the Process of Mining Silicon Through a Single Displacement/Redox Reaction

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study silicon and where it comes from.  In this solar mining lesson students complete an Internet search of mining and a lab activity. 
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Physical Science: Chemical and Solar Cells

For Students 7th - 9th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How chemical and solar cells work and produce an electric current.
Website
University of Wisconsin

The Why Files: Super Solar Cells

For Students 9th - 10th
An understandable description of modern research that is currently being conducted to develop a more efficient photovoltaic (solar energy) cell. It also contains links to other pages on renewable energy sources.
Handout
State Energy Conservation Office-Texas

State Energy Conservation Office: Learning About Photovoltaic Systems [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains how photovoltaic systems work and how Texas homeowners are using them. Discusses how a homeowner can use solar energy and still be on the electricity grid system.
Handout
Encyclopedia of Earth

Encyclopedia of Earth: Photovoltaics

For Students 9th - 10th
Article explaining what photovoltaic cells are, their role in solar energy, how they work, how electricity is produced, and applications of this technology. (Published: April 24, 2010)
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Soft Cell

For Teachers 7th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about solar cells being made of plastic. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Handout
Other

U.s. Department of Energy: Photovoltaics

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has an overview of PV technology, impact, system application and design. Information is provided on how to select the best solar system for various needs.
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Investigation of Semiconductors

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Using a web quest, simulations, and hands on activity, students will gain a basic understanding of semiconductors, diodes, and photovoltaic cells. In these activities students will learn how electrons migrate in semiconductors and...
Website
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Solar Cell Power Output vs. Temperature

For Students 6th - 8th
Solar cells provide a clean way of making electricity directly from sunlight. In this project you will build a simple circuit and experimental setup to investigate whether the power output of a solar cell changes with ambient temperature.
Lesson Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: From Sunlight to Electric Current

For Teachers 6th - 8th
The lesson will first explore the concept of current in electrical circuits. Current will be defined as the flow of electrons. Photovoltaic (PV) cell properties will then be introduced. This will lead to the principle of "Conservation of...
Unit Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Exploring Solar Power

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This unit provides students the opportunity to explore methods engineers have devised for harnessing sunlight to generate power. Students will initially explore heat transfer and heat storage through the construction, testing, and...
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: How Do Solar Panels Work?

For Students 9th - 10th
We've seen them for years on rooftops, atop highway warning signs, and elsewhere, but how many of us know how solar panels actually work? How do the photovoltaic cells that lie at the heart of them turn sunlight ("photo") into...
Handout
US Department of Energy

U.s. Department of Energy: Energy Basics: Renewable Energy: Solar Energy

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out about renewable energy resources using solar energy technologies. Learn about the use of photovoltaic cells and the capture of the sun's energy.

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