TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Why Aren't We Only Using Solar Power?
Solar power is cheaper and more sustainable than our current coal-fueled power plants, so why haven't we made the switch? The real culprits here are the clouds, which make solar power difficult to control. Alexandros George Charalambides...
PBS
Nova Teacher: Saved by the Sun: Classroom Activity
During the lesson, students will also design, build and test a solar cooker that pasteurizes water.
Climate Literacy
Clean: The Earth's Heat Budget
Students investigate the effects of distance and angle on the input of solar radiation at the Earth's surface, the role played by albedo, and the heat capacity of land and water.
Other
Ypop: Using the Computer to Measure Sunspots
This site provides a tutorial on using computer image processing techniques to measure the size of sunspots and analyzing various phenomena visible in solar images. It also provides lesson plans for teachers to use in class.
Other
Abc Da Energia
ABC Da Energia describes the many ways that energy can be obtained and conserved. It explains different sources of energy, how each works, and how energy can be saved in our daily lives. Interactive energy-saving activities and games...
Other
Inta: Hechos Asombrosos
In Spanish. Could you provide an answer to each of the question presented on this page? First, write or draw the explanation to the question then reads the response on this website and then compare your answer with the given answer.
Other
Bsi Education: Alternative Energy
The Applied Science resource consists of practical activities that demonstrate the importance of standard procedures in scientific work. Students examine alternative energy through a variety of activities. Some topics investigated are...
Other
California Energy Commission: Games: Watt's That?! Jr.
This site from California Energy Commission provides six different games about energy in which you may play by yourself or against an opponent to answer trivia questions.
Other
Terc: Catching Sunshine
A hands-on challenge to build a solar collector to investigate how much the air temperature inside the collector goes up. Site includes information for teachers and students. Teachers page include time requirement, materials needed, the...
Other
Terc: Chocolate Melt
A design challenge to build a solar cooker that will melt a chocolate chip quickly. Site includes both teacher and student links to help with the challenge. Information for teachers includes timeline, materials, link to standards,...
Museum of Science
Museum of Science and Industry: Online Science: Activities: Solar Oven
Step-by-step instructions, with photos, of how to construct a solar oven using everyday materials.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Energy, Light and Sound: Renewable Fuels
A slideshow and a short quiz on the different types of renewable energy sources.
Other
Efmr Monitoring Group: Solar Energy [Pdf]
This website consists of several teacher lesson plans centered on Solar Energy. This is includes activities for elementary, middle school, and high school students, targeted standards, and references for future research.
US Department of Energy
Us Dept of Energy:mining Silicon Througha Single Displacement/redox Reaction
Young scholars will participate in a laboratory investigation that models the production of silicon. The activity investigates the sources, uses, properties, and importance in the fields of photovoltaics (solar cells/renewable energy) of...
US Department of Energy
U.s. Department of Energy: Energy Sources: Solar
The U.S. Department of Energy provides links pertaining to solar energy. Understand the current technologies and issues with this resource.
Climate Literacy
Clean: State Electricity on Google Earth: How Many Solar Panels Would It Take?
This activity addresses the Energy Awareness Principle by having students calculate electricity use by state, and also determine how much land would be required to replace all sources of electricity with solar panels considering costs...
NASA
Nasa: Climate Kids: Tower of Power
A quick tutorial which illustrates how mirrors and a solar energy tower harness the sun's energy for use.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Solar Energy and Latitude
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Discusses the relationship between solar energy and latitude.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: What Is Energy? Short Demos
Three short, hands-on, in-class demos expand students' understand of energy. First, using peanuts and heat, students see how the human body burns food to make energy. Then, students create paper snake mobiles to explore how heat energy...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Racing With the Sun Creating a Solar Car
Students use engineering design principles to construct and test a fully solar powered car. Several options exist, though we recommend the "Junior Solar Sprint" (JSS) Car Kits that can be purchased with direction from the federal...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Do Different Colors Absorb Heat Better?
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...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Let the Sun Shine!
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....
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Heat Transfer
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...
Geography 4 kids
Geography4 Kids: Radiant Energy From the Sun
An introduction to radiant energy that offers a look at the different types of radiation from the sun, the radiation that actually hits Earth, and how the Sun's age will affect the radiation absorbed by Earth. Also, view NASA videos...