Browse:
Keywords: Solar Energy
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- Abstract: This BioBulletin reports on how the citizens of one Wisconsin town rebuilt their community after a catastrophic flood. The article begins with the choice facing Soldiers Grove: rebuild their destroyed community behind new protective levees or relocate the town to higher ground.
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- Abstract: This unit explores the issue of energy production as a pressing global issue and how nanoscience could enable important breakthroughs in energy generation and conversion. In particular, traditional and newer "nano" solar technologies are introduced and explored. Upon completing this unit, students will understand: Clean alternative energy technologies must be developed to provide sufficient energy to meet growing global demand, and must be sustainable both environmentally and economically; Nanoscience could enable important breakthroughs in solar energy technology through low cost, novel energy conversion mechanisms; Surface area to volume ratio is a function of particle size and shape. Increasing surface area normally increases the rate of reaction because there are more sites available for simultaneous reaction; Energy is neither created nor destroyed--it can only be converted into different forms. Length: 2 lessons, up to 3 50-minute classroom periods if all lessons are used. Not all lessons are required. Use the lessons most appropriate for your students.
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- Abstract: D-Lab is a year-long series of courses and field trips. The fall class provides a basic background in international development and appropriate technology though guest speakers, case studies and hands-on exercises. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in an IAP fieldtrip to Haiti, India, Brazil, Honduras, Zambia, Samoa, or Lesotho and continue their work in a spring term design class. As part of the fall class, students will partner with community organizations in these countries and develop plans for the IAP site visit. In addition, students will learn about the culture, language, economics, politics and history of their host country.
- Subject:
Science and Technology
- Grade Level:
Post-secondary
- Collection:
MIT OpenCourseWare
(Complete Item Description)
- Abstract: Students test whether the color of a material affects how much heat it absorbs. Students will place an ice cube in a box made of colored paper (one box per color; white, yellow, red and black), which they will place in the sun. The students will make prediction as to which color will melt the ice cube first. They will record the order and time required for the ice cubes to melt.
- Subject:
Science and Technology
- Grade Level:
Primary
- Collection:
TeachEngineering
(Complete Item Description)
- Abstract: Several activities are included to teach and research the differences between renewable and non-renewable resources and various energy resources. The students work with a quantitative, but simple model of energy resources to show how rapidly a finite, non-renewable energy sources can be depleted, whereas renewable resources continue to be available. The students then complete a homework assignment or a longer, in-depth research project to learn about how various technologies that capture energy resources for human uses and their pros and cons. Fact sheets are included to help students get started on their investigation of their assigned energy source.
- Subject:
Science and Technology
- Grade Level:
Primary, Secondary
- Collection:
TeachEngineering
(Complete Item Description)
- Abstract: Fact sheets are provided for several different energy resources as a starting point for students to conduct literature research on the way these systems work and their various pros and cons. Students complete a worksheet for homework or take more time in class for research and presentation of their findings to the class. This approach requires students to learn for themselves and to teach each other rather than having a teacher lecture about the various sources and systems.
- Subject:
Science and Technology
- Grade Level:
Primary, Secondary
- Collection:
TeachEngineering
(Complete Item Description)
- Abstract: Posters are provided for several different energy conversion systems. The students are provided with cards that give the name and a description of each of the components in the energy system. They have to match these with the figures on the diagram. Since the groups look at different systems, they must also describe their results with the class to share their knowledge.
- Subject:
Science and Technology
- Grade Level:
Primary, Secondary
- Collection:
TeachEngineering
(Complete Item Description)
- Abstract: 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.
- Subject:
Science and Technology
- Grade Level:
Primary, Secondary
- Collection:
TeachEngineering
(Complete Item Description)
- Abstract: The lesson will first explore the concept of current in electrical circuits. Current will be defined as the flow of electrons. Photovoltaic (PV) cell properties will then be introduced. Generally constructed of silicon, photovoltaic cells contain a large number of electrons BUT they can be thought of as "frozen" in their natural state. A source of energy is required to "free" these electrons if we wish to create current. Light from the sun provides this energy. This will lead to the principle of "Conservation of Energy." Finally, with a basic understanding of the circuits through Ohm's law, students will see how the energy from the sun can be used to power everyday items, including vehicles. This lesson utilizes the engineering design activity of building a solar car to help students learn these concepts.
- Subject:
Science and Technology
- Grade Level:
Primary, Secondary
- Collection:
TeachEngineering
(Complete Item Description)
- Abstract: Students explore heat transfer and energy efficiency using the context of energy efficient houses. They gain a solid understanding of the three types of heat transfer: radiation, convection and conduction, which are explained in detail and related to the real world. They learn about the many ways solar energy is used as a renewable energy source to reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses and operating costs. Students also explore ways in which a device can capitalize on the methods of heat transfer to produce a beneficial result. They are given the tools to calculate the heat transferred between a system and its surroundings.
- Subject:
Science and Technology
- Grade Level:
Secondary
- Collection:
TeachEngineering
(Complete Item Description)
- Abstract: This item presents information about alternative sources of energy, using industrial control techniques, and the role of tress and oceans in keeping the air clean. Includes great graphics.
(Complete Item Description)
- Abstract: Students learn how the sun can be used for energy. They learn about passive solar heating, lighting and cooking, and active solar engineering technologies (such as photovoltaic arrays and concentrating mirrors) that generate electricity. Students investigate the thermal energy storage capacities of test materials. They learn about radiation and convection as they build a model solar water heater and determine how much it can heat water in a given amount of time. In another activity, students build and compare the performance of four solar cooker designs. In an associated literacy activity, students investigate how people live "off the grid" using solar power.
- Subject:
Science and Technology
- Grade Level:
Primary
- Collection:
TeachEngineering
(Complete Item Description)
- Abstract: Students learn and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of renewable and non-renewable energy sources. They also learn about our nation's electric power grid and what it means for a residential home to be "off the grid."
- Subject:
Science and Technology
- Grade Level:
Secondary
- Collection:
TeachEngineering
(Complete Item Description)
- Abstract: The Online Science-athon offers elementary and middle-grade students opportunities to discover the science in their daily lives. Presented as challenges, the Science-athon asks students to investigate their world in ways that are engaging and fun, easy for teachers to incorporate into their teaching, and instructive. Students doing Catching Sunshine decide on a container -- tin can, cardboard box, plastic bucket, paper bag, or similar object -- to use as a solar collector. Then they determine how to maximize the amount of sunshine the collector catches by figuring out how to point it, what colors and textures to use on the inside surfaces, and how to insulate it. Reviewing scientific information helps students improve the effectiveness of their collector designs and make predictions about the ones they think will catch the most sunshine. On Catching Sunshine Day, students collect and record data to share with other students doing the challenge. Analysis of their data and data collected by others allows participants to formulate explanations, to check these explanations against scientific knowledge and the explanations and experiences of others, and to put their ideas to practical use.
- Subject:
Science and Technology
- Grade Level:
Primary
- Collection:
TERC
(Complete Item Description)
- Abstract: The Online Science-athon offers elementary and middle-grade students opportunities to discover the science in their daily lives. Presented as challenges, the Science-athon asks students to investigate their world in ways that are engaging and fun, easy for teachers to incorporate into their teaching, and instructive. Students doing the Chocolate Melt decide on a container-tin can, cardboard box, plastic bucket, paper bag, or similar object-to use as a solar cooker. Then they consider how to melt a refrigerated standard-size milk chocolate chip that has been placed on the end of a toothpick inside the cooker in as short a time as possible. This includes figuring out how to reshape the container so that the heat from the sun is concentrated on the chocolate chip, deciding what colors and textures to use for lining inside surfaces and insulating the cooker, examining where to put the chocolate chip, and identifying how to point the cooker at the sun. Reviewing scientific information helps students improve the effectiveness of their cooker designs and make predictions about the ones they think will cook the most rapidly. On Chocolate Melting Day, students collect and record data to share with other students doing the challenge.
- Subject:
Science and Technology
- Grade Level:
Primary
- Collection:
TERC
(Complete Item Description)
- Abstract: The purpose of this lesson is to introduce the students to the Sun. They explore various aspects of the Sun including its composition, its interior workings, and its relationship to the Earth.
- Subject:
Science and Technology
- Grade Level:
Primary, Secondary
- Collection:
TeachEngineering
(Complete Item Description)
- Abstract: In this video, an engineering design professor explains that solar energy can convert to heat, heat hot water, or convert to electricity. The video details how solar energy in a school and a prison decrease their energy consumption.
- Subject:
Science and Technology
- Grade Level:
Primary, Secondary
- Collection:
Teachers' Domain
(Complete Item Description)
- Abstract: In this course, you will journey through the web of physical, chemical, and biological reactions that collectively constitute photosynthesis. We will begin with light harvesting and follow photons to the sites of primary photochemistry: the photoreaction centers. A molecular-scale view will show in atomic detail how these protein complexes capture and energize electrons. Then we will follow the multiple pathways electrons take as they carry out their work. Consequent reactions, such as the synthesis of ATP and the reduction of CO2 during the synthesis of carbohydrates, will also be discussed in structural detail. Lastly, we will delve into the evolution of these systems and also discuss other photosynthetic strategies, such as light-driven proton pumps and anoxygenic photosynthesis. The course will include a visit to an electron microscope to allow students to directly observe proteins involved in photosynthesis. This course is one of many Advanced Undergraduate Seminars offered by the Biology Department at MIT. These seminars are tailored for students with an interest in using primary research literature to discuss and learn about current biological research in a highly interactive setting. Many instructors of the Advanced Undergraduate Seminars are postdoctoral scientists with a strong interest in teaching.
- Subject:
Science and Technology
- Grade Level:
Post-secondary
- Collection:
MIT OpenCourseWare
(Complete Item Description)
- Abstract: This class will study the behavior of photovoltaic solar energy systems, focusing on the behavior of "stand-alone" systems. The design of stand-alone photovoltaic systems will be covered. This will include estimation of costs and benefits, taking into account any available government subsidies. Introduction to the hardware elements and their behavior will be included.
- Subject:
Science and Technology
- Grade Level:
Post-secondary
- Collection:
MIT OpenCourseWare
(Complete Item Description)
- Abstract: This animation shows how photovoltaic panels and their solar cells capture sunlight's energy and create electricity. Solar cells are designed to free electrons from absorbed photons with a positive and a negative layer that create an electric field.
- Subject:
Science and Technology
- Grade Level:
Primary, Secondary
- Collection:
Teachers' Domain
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