Question: How can we use the Sun as an alternative energy resource?
End Product: Bake a cake in a solar oven!
Solar HeatingObjectives - To understand how solar energy can be used for heating and electricity.
- To understand how the Sun is responsible for wind energy and how it works.
Timing - Up to 5 lessons
The Sun is a stable, renewable energy resource - what do we mean by "renewable"? What are the two ways in which the Sun transfers energy to Earth?
Use http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/physics/energy/energy_resourcesrev7.shtml, http://www.gcse.com/energy/solar_power.htm, http://home.clara.net/darvill/altenerg/solar.htm, http://tacoma.apogee.net/kids/las_ifrm.aspx,
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/kids/roofus/ or http://www.solarenergy.org/resources/youngkids.html
to make notes on how solar panels work (the ones for heating water). What are the advantages and disadvantages? Think back to the section you did on infra red radiation - why are the solar panels black?
You can read much more detail about the cost and practicalities of fitting solar panels to your house by going to: http://www.cat.org.uk/information/catinfo.tmpl?subdir=search&command=search&db=../information/catinfo.db&eqSKUdatarq=20020210164613&start=1
Solar energy can also be used to cook with. Read http://solarcooking.org/solarcooking-faq.htm - it's quite long but it tells you all about the different types of oven and you'll be amazed at what you can cook in one! Well worth the read! How do concave mirrors help? Look at the "Reflection at a Concave Mirror" to help you.
Now go to http://www.powerhousekids.com/stellent2/groups/public/documents/pub/phk_001452.pdf or http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/projects/solardogs.html or http://tacoma.apogee.net/kids/fes_ifrm.aspx or
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/activities/A_Cooking_with_the_Sun.html and make a solar oven! There's even a recipe for chocolate cake on: http://www.ehow.com/how_2219_solar-bake-chocolate.html! Yum!!! Include an instruction booklet to explain how it works.