• A portrait of Kent Driscoll.

    About the author

    Kent Driscoll

    A longtime Iqaluit resident, Kent Driscoll has two decades of experience in community journalism throughout Nunavut. He is Ampere Canada’s Director of Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships.

A Personal Account of the Solar MindSet

Science is always more fun when you do it yourself. That’s why Ampere has made this, the Solar MindSet. It is a way for you to make your own solar power generator and learn how it works.

Our learning adventure begins here at the Ampere Makerspace, in Iqaluit, Nunavut. This is where Iqaluit kids come to learn about science. Inside that box? That’s our solar power generator.

When you open the box, everything you need is already inside, including a small screwdriver, a drill bit, and all the electronics you need.

First, we attach metal clips to the wooden base and mount a circular LED light in the middle.

Next, we attach a guide for the wires to follow, and then the front and back of our A-Frame.

We now connect the fan to the side wall.

Now, the electronics that will collect the power from the solar panel are placed in position. At the top is the battery, which will connect to the USB voltage meter on the bottom, then through the Arduino meter, which will power the fan and the LED lights.

Last, plug in the solar panels and let the entire thing charge. You can see the charge on the voltage meter. When you flip the “on” switch, the ring of lights turns on and the fan keeps it all cool.

Now we’ve made solar power! The LED lights and fan are fun, but in a pinch, you could charge a mobile phone with this kit in an emergency.

This article originally appeared in the eleventh issue of Root & STEM, Ampere’s free print and online STEAM resource supporting educators in teaching digital skills

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