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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Kit Lesson #7 - Positioning Solar Panels I: Explorations with Tracking

For Teachers 6th - 9th
In this first part of a two-part lesson, learners track and record the sun's azimuth using a solar panel. They graph and analyze the data to identify relationships among the time of day, the altitude and azimuth of the sun, and the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Kit Lesson #8 - Positioning Solar Panels II: Explorations with Stationary Panels

For Teachers 6th - 9th
This lesson is preparation-intensive, but well worth the investment. You will construct five or six portable testing stations with which lab groups will gather data on the best position for collecting sunlight with a solar panel. This is...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Kit Lesson # 12 - Calibration Curve for a Radiation Meter

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Scientists need to have mastered algebraic slope-intercept concepts in order for this lesson to be effective. They will measure and graph solar panel output as a function of the amount of radiation striking it, discovering that there is...
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Activity
DiscoverE

Design a Folding Solar Panel

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Solar energy is an amazing alternative ... but, not always particularly portable! Challenge young scientists to a folding solar panel build-off with an easy-to-execute activity. Scholars brainstorm around specific design needs, construct...
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Interactive
Magic of Physics

Solar Panel

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Solar panels are everywhere! How do they work? Energize the class with an interactive that explains the magic of solar energy. The simple click-through demonstration shows how photons are captured and converted to a usable source of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Kit Lesson #11 - Power Maximum: An Electrical Determination

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Collaborative groups connect resistors and solar panels in series and measure electrical resistance, voltage, and current. The objective is to order 16 solar panels from strongest to weakest. They graph current-voltage and power curves...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Car Series: Angle/Energy Amount

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Does the angle of a solar panel change the output? Emerging engineers find out! Demonstrate for your class how they can angle a straw to match the angle of light rays coming from a source. Then turn them loose to experiment with the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Kit Lesson #9 - Properties of Solar Radiation: Reflection, Transmission, and Absorption

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Middle school science stars observe and record data on the solar radiation reflected off or transmitted through various materials. They predict properties for various materials, and test their predictions by touch. This lesson becomes...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Kit Lesson #15 - Solar-Powered Electrolysis of Water and the Hydrogen Economy

For Teachers 10th - 12th
An outstanding lesson awaits your physics fledglings! After reading about how hydrogen can act as an energy carrier, they examine the electrolysis of water using solar power. They test the gases produced for flammability and will...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Kit Lesson #3 Parts of a Solar Panel - Part I

For Teachers 4th - 6th
A solar cell is similar to a rechargeable battery in many ways. Science lab groups connect each in a series circuit to run a mini motor and then compare and contrast them by answering questions and completing a Venn diagram. This is an...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Bonneville

Solar Panel Basics

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Going outside is a logical step when dealing with solar panels. Future scientists learn about the n-type and p-type layers of solar cells in the third of 14 lessons in the Cost Effective Solar Cells unit. They go outside to model the...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Bonneville

Solar Panel Data Sharing

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
It's important to share—especially in science. Pupils share the data on voltage, current, and resistance they recorded when they built circuits with solar cells in a previous activity. They discuss the results with the class and consider...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Purdue University

Sun Tracking System for a Solar Panel

For Teachers 6th Standards
Capture the Sun's rays as best as possible. An engaging STEM instructional activity teaches scholars about how Earth's tilt causes the path of the sun to change throughout the year. They create solar panel systems that move both...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Bonneville

Solar Energy

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Put the infinite power of the sun to good use. Young scientists learn about solar energy by completing a challenging project. They imagine that they are in charge of planning a solar panel array for a building and must decide where to...
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Lesson Plan
National Wildlife Federation

I’ve Got the POWER! Solar Energy Potential at Your School

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Should every school have solar panels? The 19th lesson in a series of 21 has scholars research the feasibility of using solar panels at their school. They begin by gathering data on the solar energy in the area before estimating the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Car Series: during What Part of the Day Can the Most Sun Power Be Collected?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
In preparation for solar car races, middle schoolers attempt to discover what time of day the most solar energy can be collected. Begin by demonstrating the use of a voltmeter for measuring solar cell output. Take them outdoors to take...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Parts of a Solar Panel-Part II

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students discover how a mini-solar panel is constructed by behaving like detectives. Students examine an actual solar panel, measure the solar panel's voltage and use drawings to describe what they observe before completing questions...
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Lesson Plan
Kenan Fellows

Ready, Set, Save on Solar Energy Technology!

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Does your class have a bright future in the solar energy industry? Science scholars take an in-depth look at what's new in solar technology. After completing research into the solar industry, participants create and market a product in...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Teach Engineering

Concentrated Solar Power

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The seventh segment in an eight-part unit promotes the idea of concentrating the sun to increase the power of a photovoltaic panel. Pupils learn about devices used such as reflectors or lenses.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Cell Energy Availability From Around the Country

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Young scholars determine areas that are the most likely to produce solar energy by using NASA data.  In this solar energy lesson students analyze plots and determine solar panel use. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Kit Lesson #1 - Solar Cell Inquiry

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Give youngsters the components of a solar-powered electric circuit and turn them loose to figure out how to connect them in order for a light to shine or motor to turn. They compare energy output of a solar panel to that of a battery. On...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Leaves: All-Natural Solar Collectors

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Take a good look at tree leaves and notice the adaptations for collecting solar energy. Pupils trace the margins of five different leaves onto graph paper and count the number of squares covered. They then relate this infomation to the...
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Lesson Plan
1
1
Bonneville

Engaging with Solar Panels

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Build a fan and become a fan of solar power. The second of 14 lessons in the Cost Effective Solar Cells unit has learners first construct circuits with solar cells to power a fan, a motor, and an LED. They then test their circuits both...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Parts of a Solar Panel-Part I

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students examine electrical contacts, solar cells, and rechargeable batteries and compare and contrast the characteristics of a solar cell to a rechargeable battery in a hands-on activity. Students complete a worksheet as they...

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