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This The Great, Glowing Orb What You Will Do: Make a Solar Heat Engine activity also includes:
How is solar energy able to move wind and water to control the climate? Scholars explore the concept of solar energy in the first of 10 activities in the Discover Your Changing World series. They follow instructions to build homemade solar power engines before taking them outside and testing them in the sunlight. During the process, pupils learn about how solar energy controls wind and ocean currents and therefore affects the Earth's climate.
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CCSS:
Adaptable
Concepts
Additional Tags
Instructional Ideas
- Have learners develop a follow-up question to the activity and then research and/or test the question
- Plan to have small groups test their engines in different areas and collect data on which provided the most power
Classroom Considerations
- Requires materials not found in a typical classroom
- Students need and use sharp tools during the exercise
Pros
- Engaging, hands-on activity allows for exploration outdoors
- Follow-up challenges and thoughts that lead to extension activities
Cons
- None