Energy 101: Concentrating Solar Power

Energy 101: Concentrating Solar Power
https://energy.gov/eere/education/videos/energy-101-concentrating-solar-power-0

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

This video describes how concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies reflect and collect solar energy to generate electricity. This video explains what CSP is, how it works, and focuses on parabolic troughs.

Video length: 2:16 min.

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See how this Video supports the Next Generation Science Standards»

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Middle School

Disciplinary Core Ideas: 1

MS-PS3.A4: The term “heat” as used in everyday language refers both to thermal energy (the motion of atoms or molecules within a substance) and the transfer of that thermal energy from one object to another. In science, heat is used only for this second meaning; it refers to the energy transferred due to the temperature difference between two objects.

Cross Cutting Concepts: 3

Energy and Matter

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High School

Disciplinary Core Ideas: 1

HS-PS4.B2: When light or longer wavelength electromagnetic radiation is absorbed in matter, it is generally converted into thermal energy (heat). Shorter wavelength electromagnetic radiation (ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays) can ionize atoms and cause damage to living cells

Cross Cutting Concepts: 3

Energy and Matter

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Energy and Matter

HS-C5.2: Changes of energy and matter in a system can be described in terms of energy and matter flows into, out of, and within that system.

HS-C5.3: Energy cannot be created or destroyed—only moves between one place and another place, between objects and/or fields, or between systems.

HS-C5.4: Energy drives the cycling of matter within and between systems.

Grade Level

Middle (6-8)
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High School (9-12)
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College Lower (13-14)
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Topics

Solar Energy
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Energy Literacy

This Video builds on the following concepts of Energy Literacy.

Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.

Various sources of energy are used to power human activities

Notes From Our Reviewers The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials
Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy | Technical Details

Teaching Tips

Use this video when discussing CSP or before introducing solar energy projects.

About the Content

This video explains what Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) is, how it works, and how parabolic troughs are used to concentrate heat from the sun to produce electricity.
Comments from expert scientist: Easy to understand step-by-step how-to on generating electricity with this technology.

About the Pedagogy

A very simple explanation; very clear and to the point.
Teachers will have to unpack a lot of information with students after viewing.

Technical Details/Ease of Use

Closed captioned

Entered the Collection: April 2014 Last Reviewed: April 2014

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Middle School (see details)

Middle School

Disciplinary Core Ideas: 1

Cross Cutting Concepts: 3

High School (see details)

High School

Disciplinary Core Ideas: 1

Cross Cutting Concepts: 3

Grade Level

Topics

Energy Literacy

Teaching Tips

About the Content

About the Pedagogy

Technical Details/Ease of Use

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