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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 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 # 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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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 #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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Activity
NASA

Collecting Light: Inverse Square Law Demo

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Light, distance, and mathematics come together to help scientists plan for space missions. Groups examine the relationship between distance from the sun and light availability in a hands-on exploration activity. They model the inverse...
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Lesson Plan
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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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Activity
PBS

House Warming

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
Things should heat up during a hands-on lesson exploring solar energy. An enlightening activity challenges young scientists to design a structure that collects solar energy efficiently. They keep track of temperature data over time and...
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Lesson Plan
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Bonneville

Solar Cell Manufacturing Field Trip and/or Guest Speaker

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Appreciate the chance to get out of the classroom. Scholars take a field trip to a solar cell or solar panel facility to learn about the manufacturing aspect of the business. They also hear from a guest speaker and ask questions about...
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Lesson Plan
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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 lesson. They discuss the results with the class and consider...
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Lesson Plan
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Bonneville

Solar Panel Basics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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
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Bonneville

Engaging with Solar Panels

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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
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Bonneville

Solar Energy Equity and Sustainability

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Generate some knowledge about generating electricity. Pupils first read several articles to learn about solar energy, its advantages and disadvantages, and advancements in technology related to solar cells. They then have a class...
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Lesson Plan
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Bonneville

Variables Affecting Solar Power

For Teachers 7th - 8th Standards
Determine the best energy generator. Groups play with a photovoltaic cell to determine the variables that affect its energy output. The teams investigate a variable to determine the optimum performance of the solar cell. Pupils compare...
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Lesson Plan
Pace University

Grades 9-10 Energy Sources

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Alternative energy sources are becoming increasingly important. Learners have the opportunity to explore alternative energy sources using a differentiated instruction unit. They group together based on ability levels, assign roles to...
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Lesson Plan
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Purdue University

Sun Tracking System for a Solar Panel

For Teachers 6th
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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Interactive
PBS

Real-World Ratio and Rate Reasoning: How to Power the Skate Park

For Students 5th - 6th Standards
Bring on the lights! Using an interactive, characters try to figure out how to light a skate park by examining area and ratios to determine the number of solar panels needed to power them. Pupils design a house with a roof to hold solar...
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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
Kenan Fellows

Ready, Set, Save on Solar Energy Technology!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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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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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Activity
1
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Teach Engineering

Concentrating on the Sun with PVs

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Concentrate to determine the best reflector design. Pairs use the engineering design process to build a reflector to increase the current output of a photovotaic panel. Teams arrive at a final design and present it to the class along...
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Lesson Plan
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Teach Engineering

Concentrated Solar Power

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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
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Teach Engineering

Maximum Power Point

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Investigate the maximum power output of a photovoltaic panel with a lesson that introduces the class to the maximum power point. Individuals learn how to determine the maximum power point of a solar panel by using Ohm's law and the power...
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Activity
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Teach Engineering

Ice, Ice, PV!

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Knowing the temperature coefficient allows for the calculation of voltage output at any temperature. Groups conduct an experiment to determine the effects of temperature on the power output of a solar panel. The teams alter the...