Renewable Energy with a Focus on Solar
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
Materials
Vocabulary
Classroom Instructions
Minds on!
- Divide students into groups and provide each group with chart paper.
- Have students brainstorm the meaning and types of renewable energy.
- When students have finished with their chart paper, each group can present their findings and understandings. (Allow for conversations and sharing of knowledge to flourish!)
Connection and context!
1. Ask students to think about why renewable energy is sustainable while non-renewable sources, like fossil fuels and coal, are not sustainable. (Prompting: What powers most of our vehicles? Why is this energy source harmful to our environment?)
2. Watch this video with students about how Fort Chipewyan First Nations are moving from diesel-generated power to solar. Pause to discuss with the class and to ask/answer any questions that may come up.
3. 3-2-1 -After the movie has finished, ask students to write down 3 things they learned from the video, 2 things that interested them, and 1 question about the video.
Content!
- Display this diagram and discuss how energy is absorbed, stored, and harnessed by the sun.
- Go over vocabulary that students may not know: Inverter, Battery
- Have students list the pros and cons of using solar panels.
Show us what you know!
- Students will now create a project on Scratch to demonstrate what they have learned about Renewable and Solar Energy.
- Students can add to this circuit to demonstrate how Solar Energy is harnessed to power up a light bulb or other device.
- Have students list the pros and cons of using solar panels.
- As an extension: Students can demonstrate how weather can pose challenges for harnessing solar energy on their Scratch project.
- Scratch Project Carousel: Students will move around the classroom to see how their classmates have chosen to demonstrate what they know about solar energy.
Resources
- Indigenous Solar Replaces Diesel in Canada’s North – Youtube Video
- Scratch
