Unit Guide

Harnessing the sun: A critical look at the feasibility of solar energy

Terri Eros

This 10 day unit of 60 minute periods is designed to have students become more critical thinkers in evaluating the feasibility of solar energy. With an emphasis on the eight science and engineering practices of the Next Generation Science Standards, students will investigate passive and active uses of solar energy. The unit will have three main components: obtaining content knowledge on the use of solar energy, and its pros and cons; planning and carrying out investigations that look at which factors affect active and passive solar energy collection and creating their own solar powered device using commercially available solar cells. There is integration with Common Core Standards for both Math and ELA as students conduct research, analyze data, and use the claims, reasoning, and evidence format in evaluating feasibility.