It's time to soak up the sun! Youngsters read about active and passive solar heating systems, then they collaborate to create a miniature solar-heated building. Provide a variety of materials for them to incorporate and watch their designs take shape! This is a splendid instructional activity for sunny weather and can be used in a middle school physical science, earth science, STEM, engineering, or environmental studies class! 

Concepts

engineering design, engineering, solar energy, energy

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Additional Tags

solar energy, passive solar heating, stem, engineering design, science

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Pros

• An exciting critical thinking and engineering experience
• Fosters teamwork
• Meets a variety of national educational standards
• Highlights the benefit of alternative energy soruces

Cons

• No photos of examples of the miniature solar-heated buildings are provided; consider constructing one to help give groups vision for what they can do

Common Core

2.MD.A.1 2.MD.A.3 6.NS.C.5