 CONTEXT:
There are numerous sources of renewable energy available that are inexpensive and non-polluting. A good example of a renewable resource is solar energy, which is continually provided by the sun. Solar Energy can be collected as thermal energy, and then can be converted into electricity, or used to warm a building or provide hot water for such processes as cooking or bathing.
Experience has shown that solar Energy can be used to improve living conditions in many parts of the world. In countries like Haiti, throughout Africa, many parts of Asia, and in the Middle East, traditional fuels - including firewood and fossil fuels - are scarce. Sunlight, rather than being scarce, is abundant. Solar energy is also used throughout the world to augment more traditional home heating fuels such as oil or natural gas.
It is important to find the most effective means of converting energy from the sun into other, more convenient and usable forms of energy. A step toward finding the most efficient way to collect and use the sun's energy can be taken by making small models of solar collectors and finding ways to improve their performance.
CHALLENGE:
EXPLORATORY
Work in groups (2-3) to research and then brainstorm for 10 practical uses for solar energy. List 10 recycled materials that could be used to build a model of a solar collector in class. Develop a drawing of a solar collector you could develop from the materials that you identified.
INTERMEDIATE
Conduct a brainstorming session to generate a list of 10 recycled materials that could be used to build a model of a solar collector. Design, sketch, and build a solar collector that improves upon the one illustrated here. Use the recycled materials and the tools your teacher provides for the class. Once the model is operational your team should develop and implement a plan to collect and record data on the performance of your solar collector.
ADVANCED
Design, and build a model house or other building that utilizes a solar collector that is a significant improvement of the one illustrated above. Use the recycled materials and the tools your teacher provides for the class. Collect and record data on the performance of your solar collector. Include a 150-200 word report on your ideas, the problems or difficulties overcome in building your design, and the efficiency achieved by your design.
MATERIALS:
EXPLORATORY
None
INTERMEDIATE
- Shoe Box or other box similar in size
- Newspaper
- 2 containers (buckets, plastic cartons, etc.)
- Water and 1 liter container
- Paper and pencil
- Metric ruler (supplied)
- Plastic tubing (1.5 meters supplied)
- Black spray Paint (2 cans supplied to each class)
- Celsius thermometer (supplied)
- Plastic Wrap (supplied)
- 1 wooden spring type clothes pin (supplied)
ADVANCED
- Shoe Box or other box similar in size
- Newspaper
- 2 containers (buckets, plastic cartons, etc.)
- Water and 1 liter container
- Paper and pencil
- Metric ruler (supplied)
- Plastic tubing (1.5 meters supplied)
- Black spray Paint (2 cans supplied to each class)
- Celsius thermometer (supplied)
- Plastic Wrap (supplied)
- 1 wooden spring type clothes pin (supplied)
CRITERIA:
Your success on this Challenge will be based on your completion of the activities below. Three general criteria for your performance will be: your participation in the activity; the accuracy of your measurement and model construction; and the performance of your design. Your teacher will help you understand how your performance will be graded.
EXPLORATORY
- List of 10 uses of solar energy
- List of 10 materials that could be used in building a model solar collector
- Determine if your plan for the solar unit could work
INTERMEDIATE
- Design sketch(s)
- Model construction
- Gather and record data
- Interpret the data and determine how well your solar collector performs
ADVANCED
- Design sketch
- Model construction
- Gather and record data
- Interpret the data and determine how well your solar collector performs
- Designate how you would improve your solar collector
- Present your final report
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