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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
All American Sun Oven

Solar Ovens: Choosing Colors

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
11
Description:

Students will conduct experiments using different colors of paper. During this process, they will make observations about the functionality of different colors when incorporated into design in relation to reflection and absorption. Students will use what...

Energy Content:
Solar Thermal,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will learn that darker colors absorb more sunlight and get warmer. Students will understand the relation of absorption to thermal radiation emission. Students will conduct an experiment that isolates color as a variable to test.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Debbie Abel
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:
50 min
All American Sun Oven

Reflecting Sunlight

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
12
Description:

Students will see a demonstration and conduct a simple experiment on reflecting sunlight. During this demonstration, they will determine the purpose of the reflectors on a solar oven’s design and make observations about their functionality. They will use...

Energy Content:
Solar Thermal,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will learn that reflectors can be used to increase solar oven temperatures by concentrating solar energy. Students will use their observations from the prior lesson to make claims based on the concepts of reflection and absorption within a solar oven system. Students will use their observations from reflection and absorption experiments to determine how to best capture reflected solar energy.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Debbie Abel
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Earth Sun

Individual Independent Projects

Grades:
3-5
Unit:
Cooking with the Sun and Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
12
Description:

The purpose of this lesson is to allow students to choose an area of interest regarding solar power and research it further in a manner of their choice. Students will produce a final product to display or share at the “Salute to the Sun” culminating event...

Energy Content:
Light (Visible),
Materials Science,
Solar Thermal,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
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-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will plan, gather research materials and create a project of their choice. In doing so student will learn proper research methods (i.e., reliable sources) and how to categorize and translate information. In addition students will become comfortable and familiar presenting information to others. Lastly, students will also learn how to create a rubric for self evaluation.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Culturally Sustaining,
Engineering Design,
Establishing a Culture of Science,
Hands-on Materials,
Multiple Learning Styles,
Project-Based Learning,
Research-Secondary,
STEAM/Arts
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
6: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Author:
Lisa Morgan
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-ESS3-1,
5-ESS3-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Informational Text,
ELA: Reading: Scientific & Technical,
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
10 hours
Checklist

Solar Ovens: Frontload Vocab. And Preview Standards

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
2
Description:

Vocabulary and standards will be reviewed throughout all of the lessons, but this day is dedicated to front loading the vocabulary and previewing the standards. Students will use their energy workbook to keep track of vocabulary from this point forward...

Energy Content:
Potential & Kinetic Energy,
Solar Thermal,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will preview vocabulary and standards in order to better comprehend future lessons.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Multilingual Strategies
Author:
Debbie Abel
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Vocabulary Development
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Earth Sun

The Amazing Cardboard Cook-O-Matic

Grades:
3-5
Unit:
Cooking with the Sun and Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
2
Description:

The purpose of this lesson is to introduce the students to the concept of solar ovens and cooking with energy from the sun.

Energy Content:
Solar Thermal,
Sources of Energy,
Thermal Energy (Heat)
+
-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
At the end of this lesson students will understand that the sun can be used to cook food. They will also be introduced to the basic components required to build a successful solar oven.
Pedagogy & Practice:
STEAM/Arts
Author:
Lisa Morgan
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
5-ESS3-1,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Speaking & Listening,
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour
Pollution

Non-renewable Energy/Global Warming/Pollution

Grades:
4-5
Unit:
Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
3
Description:

NOTE: THIS LESSON RELIES ON EPA CLIMATE CHANGE RESOURCES THAT ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. STUDENTENERGY.ORG PROVIDES A POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE RESOURCE.

This lesson will introduce the students to worldwide problems that we have with energy. (91% of the...

Energy Content:
Sources of Energy
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-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will explore why there is a need for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Students will determine how non-renewable and renewable energy are a part of our lives. Students will understand how the greenhouse effect and nonrenewable energy sources relate to climate change.
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
2: Developing and Using Models
Author:
Debbie Abel
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2,
4-PS3-4,
3-5-ETS1-1,
3-5-ETS1-2,
3-5-ETS1-3
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
Earth Sun

Our Sensational Sun

Grades:
3-5
Unit:
Cooking with the Sun and Solar Ovens
Lesson Number:
3
Description:

The purpose of this lesson is to record information that the students learn about the sun on a chart. This chart will be used for the entire unit. It will serve as a good reference for guiding the lessons and providing information for student research.

Energy Content:
Sources of Energy
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-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
At the end of this lesson, students will have written numerous facts about the sun that they 1) already know, 2) want to know and 3) have learned.
Pedagogy & Practice:
STEAM/Arts
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Author:
Lisa Morgan
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-ESS3-1,
5-ESS1-1
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing
Estimated Activity Length:
30 min
Solar Rooftop

Solar Pathfinder Tutorial

Grades:
9-12
Unit:
Solar Resources Assessment
Lesson Number:
3
Description:

This lesson is designed to allow the students to practice assembling and using their Solar Pathfinders, along with analyzing the data. The students will take a single measurement and digital photograph at a location near the classroom designated by the...

Energy Content:
Solar Photovoltaic
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-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will be able to properly assemble and orient their solar pathfinder. Students will be able to properly record the information provided by a solar pathfinder. Students will be able to accurately analyze the information provided by the solar pathfinder to calculate the solar potential (kWh/m2/day) taking into account variables such as shading, climate and weather.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials,
Project-Based Learning
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
5: Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking
Author:
Clayton Hudiburg
Relevant NGSS PE:
HS-ETS1-3
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Vocabulary Development,
Math: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
50 min
2-Volt, 500mA Solar Modules

How Do Solar Panels Work?

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

Students will learn the basics of how a solar cell generates electricity and observe the effects on a small electrical load attached to a solar module under a variety of conditions. They will build upon knowledge gained in previous lessons dealing with...

Energy Content:
Circuitry,
Electrical Energy,
Solar Photovoltaic
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-
More Details Less Details
Learning Goal(s):
Students will be able to describe, in basic terms, the way that electricity is generated from a solar cell. Students will be able to determine that energy from the sun is being converted directly into electricity. Students will understand that this electrical energy that is produced in this energy transfer is able to perform the work required within a small load.
Pedagogy & Practice:
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Author:
Carol Patrick
Relevant NGSS PE:
4-PS3-2
Estimated Activity Length:
1 hour

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