Saved by the Sun
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/teachers/activities/3406_solar.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/teachers/activities/3406_solar.html
Jeff Lockwood, NOVA Teachers
Activity takes five to eight 45-minute class periods. Additional materials required.
Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»
See how this Activity supports the Next Generation Science Standards»
Grade Level
Climate Literacy
This Activity builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.
Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.
Energy Literacy
This Activity builds on the following concepts of Energy Literacy.
Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.
Excellence in Environmental Education Guidelines
1. Questioning, Analysis and Interpretation Skills:C) Collecting information
Other materials addressing:
C) Collecting information.
Other materials addressing:
C) Collecting information.
2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.1 The Earth as a Physical System:A) Processes that shape the Earth
Other materials addressing:
A) Processes that shape the Earth.
Other materials addressing:
A) Processes that shape the Earth.
2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.1 The Earth as a Physical System:C) Energy
Other materials addressing:
C) Energy.
Other materials addressing:
C) Energy.
2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.3 Humans and Their Societies:B) Culture
Other materials addressing:
B) Culture.
Other materials addressing:
B) Culture.
2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.3 Humans and Their Societies:D) Global Connections
Other materials addressing:
D) Global Connections.
Other materials addressing:
D) Global Connections.
2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.4 Environment and Society:D) Technology
Other materials addressing:
D) Technology.
Other materials addressing:
D) Technology.
2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.4 Environment and Society:E) Environmental Issues
Other materials addressing:
E) Environmental Issues.
Other materials addressing:
E) Environmental Issues.
3. Skills for Understanding and Addressing Environmental Issues:3.1 Skills for Analyzing and Investigating Environmental Issues:C) Identifying and evaluation alternative solutions and courses of action
Other materials addressing:
C) Identifying and evaluation alternative solutions and courses of action.
Other materials addressing:
C) Identifying and evaluation alternative solutions and courses of action.
Notes From Our Reviewers
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Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy |
Technical Details
Teaching Tips
- Given the nature and preparation of students, this activity can be a totally inquiry-driven investigation or the instructor can guide students toward a successful design.
- Schedule the activity for a time when the sun is fairly high in the sky, such as early fall or mid- to late spring, particularly if you are in a temperate climate above 35 degrees N latitude.
- Use of the associated NOVA video is not required/necessary for activity, but provides a wider context for solar energy.
About the Content
- Students use a design prototyping and testing procedure to produce a solar oven capable of pasteurizing drinking water.
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Comments from expert scientist:
Scientific strengths:
This practical activity is a sound way to make students familiar with some tricky topics of radiative transfer, such as absorption, reflection, transmission, different parts of the electro-magnetic spectrum, and the role of the Sun as a source of energy.
