Solar Power Lesson Plans

Solar Powered System
Below is information about student activities on solar energy for grades K-4.

Lesson Plans/Activity	(PDF 475 KB) Download Adobe Reader
Grades	K-4
Summary	Students use a photovoltaic panel, motor and propeller to put together a simple solar-powered system, and then observe how the photovoltaic panel can turn the energy in sunlight into electricity, and investigate how well their system works depending on how much sunlight strikes their panel.
Curriculum Integration	Science, Art
Time	One class period
Materials	Handouts included; one small photovoltaic cell with wires attached, motor, and propeller per group.
National Standards	PRI-A: 1.b. Plan and conduct a simple investigation. PRI-A: 1.c. Employ simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend the senses. PRI-A: 1.e. Communicate investigations and explanations. PRI-D: 2.a The sun provides the light and heat necessary to maintain the temperature of the earth. PRI-F: 5.a. People keep inventing new ways of doing things, solving problems, and getting work done. New ideas and inventions often affect other people; sometimes the effects are good and sometimes they are bad. It is helpful to try to determine in advance how ideas and inventions will affect other people.

Solar vs. Electric Cars
Below is information about student activities on solar energy for grades 3-12.

Lesson Plans/Activity	(PDF 475 KB) Download Adobe Reader
Grades	K-4
Summary	Students use a Super Solar Race Car Kit to assemble a model solar car, and then observe how the photovoltaic panel can turn the energy in sunlight into electricity, and investigate how well their system works depending on how much sunlight strikes their panel.
Curriculum Integration	Science, Art
Time	One class period
Materials	Handouts included; one Super Solar Race Car Kit per group.
National Standards	PRI-A: 1.b. Plan and conduct a simple investigation. PRI-A: 1.c. Employ simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend the senses. PRI-A: 1.e. Communicate investigations and explanations. PRI-D: 2.a The sun provides the light and heat necessary to maintain the temperature of the earth. PRI-F: 5.a. People keep inventing new ways of doing things, solving problems, and getting work done. New ideas and inventions often affect other people; sometimes the effects are good and sometimes they are bad. It is helpful to try to determine in advance how ideas and inventions will affect other people.