Sources of Energy

What is Energy? Where does it come from?

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
1
Description:

Students will be introduced to the scientific meaning of energy and complete a lesson on forms of energy vs. sources of energy. They will learn that most of the energy they use comes from fossil fuels. (Petroleum 35%, Natural Gas 27%, Coal 18%=82%)...

Energy Content:
Energy Fundamentals,
Sources of Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will obtain basic background information on energy. Students will use their background knowledge to determine what different examples of energy are.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Research-Secondary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Debbie Abel
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Energy Transformations

Introduction to Energy

Grades:
7-8
Unit:
Solar vs. Wind Energy
Lesson Number:
1
Description:

This lesson will introduce students to each of the different types of energy using PowerPoint slides, partner activities, and hands-on experiences with different kinds of energy including: batteries (chemical), electrical circuits (electrical), motors (...

Energy Content:
Energy Fundamentals
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
• Students will be able to name and describe at least 5 kinds of energy • Students will be able to identify and explain simple energy transformations
Pedagogy & Practice:
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
7: Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Author:
Craig Marais
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-PS3-3,
MS-PS3-5
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours

Gears vs. Pulleys on Solar Cars

Grades:
4-6
Unit:
Solar Cars
Lesson Number:
1
Description:

Students will design an investigation to test differences between solar vehicles. This is an excellent follow-up lesson to the solar boat activity or any other activity in which students have already experimented with other types of solar vehicles. However...

Energy Content:
Potential & Kinetic Energy
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will design an investigation to test differences between solar vehicles. They will make claims based on backing evidence, without having directly tested their vehicles before this point. They will use background knowledge regarding pulleys and gears in order to begin the design process. Students will determine which specific design they will be moving forward with for the next lesson.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Project-Based Learning
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems
Author:
Carol Patrick
Relevant NGSS PE:
5-PS2-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
30 min
Wadsworth OH thumbnail

Let’s Get Cooking!

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Cooking with the Sun and Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
10
Description:

The purpose of this lesson is to provide students with a hands-on experience using the sun to cook cornbread or cookies. Students will also learn to use an infrared thermometer. There is also an optional extension for the class or individual students to...

Energy Content:
Solar Thermal,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
At the end of this lesson students will be able to: • Follow and prepare a recipe for cookies. • Learn to take and record oven temperature every 30 minutes using an infrared thermometer. • Evaluate the three ovens with a pros and cons list for each one after cooking. • Write one or two of their own questions. • Make suggestions for design changes.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Author:
Lisa Morgan
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
5-PS1-3,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3,
MS-ETS1-1,
MS-ETS1-2,
MS-ETS1-3,
MS-ETS1-4
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
3 hours
Simple Circuit

Introduction to Circuits

Grades:
7-8
Unit:
Solar vs. Wind Energy
Lesson Number:
2
Description:

This lesson begins with students having hands-on experiences creating electrical circuits using a battery, wires, and a light bulb. Students will learn that electricity is the flow of electrons, and how electricity moves within a circuit.

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Electrons
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
By the end of these two lessons students should be able to: 1. Create a simple circuit on their own when given the appropriate materials. 2. Diagram the flow of electrons within a circuit. 3. Differentiate between series and parallel circuits.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
2: Developing and Using Models
Author:
Craig Marais
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-PS3-5
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
0 sec

Solar Cars Science Investigation

Grades:
4-6
Unit:
Solar Cars
Lesson Number:
2
Description:

Students will design a science investigation to test solar car with a pulley or with a variety of gear sizes. In the previous lesson, they were introduced to the different types of systems that can be employed on their car. In this lesson they will use...

Energy Content:
Potential & Kinetic Energy,
Solar Photovoltaic
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will design an investigation to test solar vehicles. They will determine which particular materials they will use in the testing of their chosen format. Students will allow for redesign to take place by determining variables that can be manipulated in a measurable format. Students will determine data that will be useful to collect in the testing of their vehicle design.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Project-Based Learning
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
2: Developing and Using Models,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Carol Patrick
Relevant NGSS PE:
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Energy Transformations

What is Energy Transfer?

Grades:
4-6
Unit:
Solar Boats
Lesson Number:
2
Description:

Students will continue to build an understanding of the fundamentals of energy through observing and describing a variety of energy transformations and build on their foundational vocabulary for identifying and discussing energy concepts. In this stage of...

Energy Content:
Electrical Energy,
Energy Fundamentals,
Light (Visible),
Potential & Kinetic Energy,
Solar Photovoltaic,
Sound,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will obtain the foundational knowledge of energy sources and forms of energy. In addition, students will learn that energy can transfer from one form to another. Students will be able to match images of energy transformations to their respected vocabulary.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Hands-on Materials,
Phenomena-Driven Instruction
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems
Author:
Carol Patrick
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours

Build Solar Cars

Grades:
4-6
Unit:
Solar Cars
Lesson Number:
3
Description:

Students will build their solar vehicles. There are many options for them to do this, depending on the specific variables hoping to be tested following the construction and material-selection process. Students will be given the opportunity to try out...

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Solar Photovoltaic
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-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will construct a geared solar car, a pulley-system solar car, or both. Students will make verbal predictions about the outcomes and viabilities of different types of solar cars. Students will pinpoint the independent, dependent, and control variables in their solar car testing process.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Project-Based Learning
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Author:
Carol Patrick
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Solar Car Race

Collect Data...Then Compare and Contrast

Grades:
4-6
Unit:
Solar Cars
Lesson Number:
4
Description:

Students will race different iterations of solar cars: geared and pulley-system cars using varying gear ratios. Students will have the opportunity to make predictions, record data, and explain the results centered on the selection of these different...

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Solar Photovoltaic
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More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will:Compare and contrast forces acting on the system by examining the results of the solar car races.Explain the mechanics of gear ratios and demonstrate the most useful ratio to use when constructing solar cars.Explain the benefits of employing a pulley-system in their car construction. Students will understand the importance of selecting measurable, specific variables to compare in their data collection process in order to make evidence-based claims.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Engineering Design,
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Project-Based Learning
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Author:
Carol Patrick
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Sun

Solar Energy Basics

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Understanding Energy
Lesson Number:
5
Description:

Students will learn the basics of solar power and the difference between photovoltaic solar power and passive solar power. They will also learn the pros and cons of solar power and be able to describe the advantages and disadvantages of using solar power...

Energy Content:
Solar Photovoltaic,
Solar Thermal,
Sources of Energy
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-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will be able to describe the basic principles of solar power and list advantages and disadvantages of using solar power. Students will be able to distinguish between passive solar and photovoltaic solar power. Students will be able to determine what data from a solar array represents. Students will be able to determine the cause of energy generation trends when observed over longer periods of time.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Research-Primary
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Eric Gronseth
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
Math: Graphing & Representation
Estimated Activity Length:
40 min

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