Other
Siemens Science Day: Physical Science: You're Getting Warmer
This hands-on science activity allows students to explore how materials absorb sunlight differently. Students will create model houses with different materials on the roof and see which material allows the most heat to be absorbed into...
National Geographic
National Geographic: Using Models to Make Predictions
Students investigate the interaction between greenhouse gases, solar radiation, and the Earth's surface and oceans for the impact on global warming. By altering variables, they can project what reduction in greenhouses gases is needed in...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Zero Energy Housing
Students investigate passive solar building design with a focus solely on heating. They learn how insulation, window placement, thermal mass, surface colors, and site orientation play important roles in passive solar heating. They use...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Quantum Dots and Colors
Students are introduced to the physical concept of the colors of rainbows as light energy in the form of waves with distinct wavelengths, but in a different manner than traditional kaleidoscopes. Looking at different quantum dot...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Leaves and Light
Leaves use sunlight to make food for the plant. Sunlight contains all of the colors of the rainbow, but are all of those colors used by the leaf? Can you find out if some colors of light are more important than others?
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Pointing at Maximum Power for Pv
Student teams measure voltage and current in order to determine the power output of a photovoltaic (PV) panel. They vary the resistance in a simple circuit connected to the panel to demonstrate the effects on voltage, current, and power...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Digital Pinhole Camera
If you sit under a leafy tree on a sunny day, you may notice spots of sunlight on the ground from light passing through spaces between the leaves. Try putting a piece of cardboard on the ground and examining the spots of light on the...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Testing Sunscreen Effectiveness
The goal of this project is to measure the effectiveness of different sunscreen products for blocking ultraviolet-A (UVB) and ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays from sunlight. This project shows you how to use a UV detector to measure rays of light.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Radiant Radish Seeds
We all know that plants need sunlight and water to grow big and tall. But did you know that inside seeds are baby plants, and that the fragile baby plant inside the seed needs to be protected? If you've ever had a sunburn, you also know...
Other
Chewonki Foundation: Pathways to a Sustainable Future: Renewable Energy
Information on different forms of renewable energy with links for student projects, resources for teachers, and links to related resources.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Solar Brightness
Want to know how bright the sun is? In this lesson plan, students construct a photometer to be used in determining the brightness of the sun.
Other
Solar Schools: The Advantages and Disadvantages of Renewable Energy
One major advantage with the use of renewable energy is that as it is renewable it is therefore sustainable and so will never run out. Renewable energy facilities generally require less maintenance than traditional generators. Their fuel...
Other
National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Junior Solar Car Competition
A design challenge through which students design and construct a solar-powered model car to compete in a road race. Students work in teams using the engineering design process to select the optimal gear ratio and components.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Life Science
This unit covers the processes of photosynthesis, extinction, biomimicry and bioremediation. In the first lesson on photosynthesis, students learn how engineers use the natural process of photosynthesis as an exemplary model of a complex...
Creative Science Centre
Creative Science Centre: Solar Powered Swimming Pool Heater
Commercially made swimming pool heaters used to help warm up the water are often very expensive. Described here is a cheap and simple passive solar heater.
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...
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.
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,...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Alternative Energy Resources
Society is beginning to recognize the limited supply of fossil fuels. In this project, students will investigate alternative energy sources. Conservation of resources is discussed and while conservation is an important step, at some...
Science Made Simple
Science Made Simple: Why Leaves Change Color
This is a site that offers answers to some often hard to answer questions such as why do leaves change colors. Provides an easy to understand answer to the question along with a section that students can read on their own, a puzzle,...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Learn How to Disinfect Contaminated Water
Clean water is not a given everywhere in the world. In this science fair project, students will investigate whether sunlight could be used to disinfect contaminated water. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently...
Creative Science Centre
Creative Science Centre: Simple High Temperature Light Bulb Thermometer
A very simple electrical resistance thermometer is described that can be built, calibrated and tested in a school laboratory at virtually no cost. With it, flames, focused sunlight and other high temperature sources can be probed. The...
EL Education
El Education: Renewing Our Future
After completing research and field-work, students create a calendar with photographs, illustrations, and information about four different types of renewable energy: solar, wind, hydropower, and biomass.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Model Greenhouses
Students learn about the advantages and disadvantages of the greenhouse effect. They construct their own miniature greenhouses and explore how their designs take advantage of heat transfer processes to create controlled environments....