Curricular Unit: Exploring Solar Power
Contributed by: Techtronics Program, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University
 |
The following unit will explore ways of harnessing solar energy to generate power. click for copyright |
Grade: 6 (6-8)
Time Required: 10 hours The solar car activity and the solar oven activity take approximately 5 hours each.
Summary
This unit provides students the opportunity to explore methods engineers have devised for harnessing sunlight to generate power. Students will initially explore heat transfer and heat storage through the construction, testing, and eventual use of a solar oven. With a lesson focused on photovoltaic cells, students will learn the concepts of energy conversion, conservation of energy, current, and voltage. Through construction of model solar powered cars, students can see these conceptual ideas manifested in modern technology. Furthermore, the solar car project provides opportunities to explore a number of other topics, such as gear ratios and simple mechanics. Both of these design and construction projects are examples of engineering design.
Engineering Connection |
Keywords: Solar Energy, Energy Transfer, Conservation of Energy, Solar Oven, Photovoltaic Cells, Voltage, Current, Gear Ratio
Related Subject Areas
Related Lessons
Related Activities
Contributors
Roni Prucz, Primary Content Creator, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Rahmin Sarabi, Primary Content Creator, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Lauren Powell, Primary Content Creator, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke UniversityCopyright
© 2004 by Engineering K-Ph.D. Program, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke Universityincluding copyrighted works from other educational institutions and/or U.S. government agencies; all rights reserved.
Supporting Program
Techtronics Program, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke UniversityLast Modified: April 19, 2007