Activity 1
Lesson: Solar Energy Crossword
Level: Grades 6-8
Time required: 20-minutes
Aim of the Activity: The goal of this activity is to help students learn the important terminology related to solar energy.
Please click here to see solar puzzle
Please click here to see answer key
Activity 2
Lesson: Solar Cooking
Level: Grades 6-8
Time required: Two to three (2-3) 50-minute class periods.
Aim of the Activity: In this series of lessons for grades 6-8, students first experiment with a virtual solar cooker to discover the mathematical relationship among reflection, transmission and absorption. Then they apply their knowledge to building and testing a solar cooker of their own invention. In an extension, students investigate how these principles can be used as sustainable energy sources for homes through passive solar heating.
Please click here to see activity document
Activity 3
Lesson: Solar Cooking for Parents- Build a Pizza Box Solar Oven
Level: Grades 4 , 5-8 , 9-12
Aim of the Activity: The sun is hot enough to bake food. Here's how to make a simple solar oven that gets hot enough to
warm up cookies and other treats, like s'mores. It won't get really hot, though, so you can't bake things in it and you won't burn yourself when playing with it. Be sure to have an adult help you with this!