18-02-2016, 04:32 PM
Curriculum: Solar Power -(thermodynamics,light/electromagnetic, radiation, energy transformation, conduction/convection,seasons, trigonometry)
Grade Level: Middle or High School
Size: Whole class or small groups (3 to 4)
Time: Activities range from 2 to 5 class periods, depending on abilities of students.
Summary: The first three activities contained in the packet focus on the practical uses of solar energy. The activities deal with the heating of solids, liquids, and gases. The final activity investigates the transformation of light to electrical energy. And how different wavelengths and intensity can effect the transformation to electricity. The packet also contains a glossary.
Solar energy can be used to heat our homes, heat water, cook our food, and power our lights.
These science projects will help you learn about solar energy and how it works. The first three projects focus on different ways to use solar thermal (or heat) energy. The fourth project focuses on solar electric energy.
Each project is broken into several parts:
✺ The purpose of the experiment
✺ The materials and equipment you will need to do the experiment
✺ Where to find some of the materials
✺ How to assemble and conduct the experiment
✺ What you may see during the experiment
✺ How the specific energy type works.
Some of the experiments may require help from an adult. To help you understand new terms, we have included a glossary in the back. We have also included a resource list on the back page with
information on where to get equipment for the experiments. The list also names places where you can find more information on solar energy. We hope you learn something from the experiments. But most of all, we hope you have fun!