Mark Maher (Math) and Kim Cook (Science) Grade 7 and 8

` `

Solar Energy- The sun is the major source of Energyenergy for phenomena on the surface of the earth. Human Consequences- Human activities have Consequenceschanged the land, oceans, and atmosphere of the Earth. Weather and Climate- Global patterns of Climateatmospheric and oceanic movement influence weather and climate.

`
`

Middle School CurriculumAll Middle School Energy Efficiency Lessons (6.2 MB) In this unit, students will conduct an energy audit of their classroom and make recommendations for improvement. Lesson 1: Energy Efficiency and Conservation (1 MB) Lesson 2: Planning an Energy Audit (963 KB) Lesson 3: Classroom Energy Audit (2.4 MB) Lesson 4: Energy Analysis (1.8 MB) Auditors Workbook in Excel for Lesson 4 (234 KB) Lesson 5: Energy Audit Report (428 KB) All Middle School Solar Lessons (5.1 MB) In this unit, students will explore solar energy and photovoltaics (pv) through hands-on activities. Lesson 1: Get to Know Solar Energy (476 KB) PowerPoint for Lesson 1: Get to Know Solar (24,366 KB) Powerpoint Notes for Lesson 1: Get to Know Solar (452 KB) Lesson 2: Making the Most of Solar PV: Location (679 KB) Lesson 3: Making the Most of Solar PV: Direction (923 KB) Lesson 4: Making the Most of Solar PV: Panel Tilt (929 KB) Lesson 5: Solar Energy: Online Investigations (818 KB) Lesson 6: Solar Powered Gadgets (1.6 MB) All Middle School Wind Lessons (1.3 MB) Students will be introduced to wind energy through a PowerPoint presentation and an online simulation. Lesson 1: Wind Energy (1.1 MB) PowerPoint for Lesson 1: What is Wind Energy (8,551 KB) PowerPoint Notes for Lesson 1: What is Wind Energy (452 KB) Additional Lessons: WindWise (Download Instructions)

` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` `

` ` `

Tiny Solar Cars Solar Oven Solar Thermal Kit

` ` `

8 electronic anemometers 8 Kill-A- Watt Energy Meters Batteries

` ` ` `

Researched Advantages of solar power Researched Disadvantages of solar power Researched Careers related to solar power Researched Costs involved to install solar power

` ` ` ` ` ` `

Electric bills go down Your going green Your reducing your carbon footprint Solar Power is a renewable resource so we wont run out of it, like oil Once you have your solar panels up the sun is free and does not require electricity to power it. Solar cells last an entire lifetime In some areas Solar Power is a more realistic option that running cables to connect to a grid

` ` `

` `

` `

Solar energy is an environmentally friendly alternative power source. We will never run out of the sun. It is a renewable resource. You do not have to constantly pay a lot for sunlight. The system for solar energy has no moving parts, there for upkeep is not often needed. That is more money in your pocket. Solar panels dont take up a lot of room like wind turbines and other energy sources. Getting solar energy is a quiet and silent process. The panels also last a long time, you will not need to replace them for generations yet to come. It is a nonpolluting process. Installing the system is quite easy there is very little wiring and little need for support trenches.

Some

of the many advantages of solar power are.

Solar cells can last a lifetime. Solar cells require little maintenance, because there are no moving parts that must be maintained. The energy an heat from the sun is free. Once solar panels are set up, there are no expenses necessary to power them. Oil, which is what most people currently use to power their homes, is not a renewable resource. This means that as soon as the oil is gone, it is gone forever and we will no longer have power or energy.

Advantages of Solar Power

-Solar cells require very little maintenance -Solar power is silent powered -Light and energy from the sun is free -Solar Power is non-polluting -Solar cells last a life time -Its a renewable resource

Some disadvantages of solar power are : Costs lots of money to install, cant easily be repaired, & not as much power on rainy days.

` `

The beginning cost, for the panels, solar lights , wires, installment, and etc., will be pricey. You will have to save up the average monthly bill is $73(for 730 kWh of electricity) Panel conversion efficiency of about 12%, you would need around 400 square feet to 800 sq. ft. of solar panels and you'd have enough to power an average home. The installed cost of solar panels runs between $7 to $9 per watt, so a 5 kW system would cost on the order of $35,000-$45,000 and an 8 kW system would be anywhere from $56,000 to $72,000. You only get sunlight in the day, plus it has to be a sunny day with very little clouds. Still, the advantages of solar energy far outweigh the disadvantages. In addition to this, the disadvantages are sure to be overcome as technology improves.

` ` ` `

A solar energy installation requires a large area for the system to be efficient in providing a source of electricity May be a disadvantage in areas where space is short The location of Solar Panels can affect performance Solar Energy is only useful when the sun is shining During the night, your expensive Solar equipment will be useless

` `

` `

Solar panels are expensive On cloudy or gloomy days energy is hard to harvest To harvest all the electricity you need, you need to have a big area to put the panels During night your Solar panels are useless Pollution and the position can effect how much Solar energy is collected

` `

Panels for a large house could cost $50,000+ For premade Solar Panels, a single solar panel can cost about $900, or $12 per watt A medium sized system to provide power to a small or very energy efficient house might cost $25,000

Some careers in the solar power industry is A solar power panels installer A solar power technician A solar power producer There is also many more, so when you decide to get solar panels you are supplying many people with jobs.

` ` ` `

Solar Design Engineer Solar Installation Manager Solar Project Manager Solar Analyst

Green friendly General Contractor- The contractors are responsible for coordinating construction projects an ensuring that planned projects are carried out property and completed correctly and on time.

Solar Panel Installer- The installers have the job of placing and installing solar panels onto roof tops, poles, and other structures. There are 2 types of solar panels which a solar panel installer can work with: photovoltaic solar panels and solar thermal panels.

Different types of solar power jobs include: Solar project manager, Solar design engineer, Solar electrical engineer, & Solar energy analyst. As you can see, there are many careers in solar power!!

This is a home in California it is very common to see solar power in use in California

California is the U.S.A top users of Solar power uses.

` `

Spent time outside experimenting with the solar cars. Interesting how they stopped in the shadows In the morning they would only work if tilted towards the sun at 8:00 am Students wanted to play with them at lunch time. Found that they were much faster around noon compared to the morning.

The cars need sunlight to go, not just any light. It goes only if it is in like the perfect spot. It needs to be on paper because it was so smooth. It doesnt store energy. I know this because right when it hit the shade it stops. Nicole

I learned that with these cars they move fastest when the panels are facing the sun. If a shadow is covering it, it wont move. So at about the time that the sun is right above you is when it work best. Heaven

I learned that the solar cars moved faster on flat surfaces. Also it worked better when it was facing the sun. Also it worked when part of it was covered with a sticky note it still moved but not as fast. These are just a few of the things I learned about the solar powered cars. Yusef

Temperature and Solar Energy

45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 0 20 40 60 80

Solar Energy
45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Solar Energy
45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Energy
45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 0 200 400 600 800 1000

Data could be used to find Mean, Median, Mode, Range and Outliers Data could be used to make a line plot, Frequency tables, histograms and line graphs. Data could be used to make box and whisker plots.