To complete this unit we will be studying the topic of renewable energy and investigating lessons related to solar power, water power, and wind power. I challenge you to learn the science behind these energy sources and the technologies that help make them useful. The need for energy is constantly increasing and the world has turned to alternative sources.
Solar (Sun) Power
Harnessing Energy from the sun is one goal of the Green Revolution. While the sun's energy is essentially a constant, its effect on Earth is variable due to cloud cover and time of year. Solar energy is usually broken down into two categories, active and passive solar. For this lesson, you will use a photoelectric cell also known as a solar cell. A solar cell converts energy from the sun into electricity.
Harnessing energy from our vast water resources is one goal of the Green Revolution. Water covers 70% of the Earth and is a dense fluid. Therefore, the movement of water is able to create great forces to move materials. Perhaps, the most common example of water's force is shown by all of the sediment carried in streams and in rivers as a result of erosion. Just consider the Grand Canyon alone: thousands of feet of rock has been eroded and carried away by the force of the Colorado River.
One of the alternative energy sources that appears to have great promise is wind. Wind farms have been sprouting up everywhere. Windmills have been around for a long time, they were used in Persia (Iran) as far back as 200 B.C. Wind power involves turning energy from the wind into other forms of useful energy. It can be harnessed in a number of different ways. For example, windmills create mechanical energy, sails move boats and wind turbines generate electricity.
Work in small groups to build something that works using one of the three forms of renewable energy. Once complete, test what you built and complete the student response sheet.
Build Options:
Solar Powered Car
Solar Powered Crank Man
Solar Powered Shuttle Ride
Hydro Powered Hydroelectric Generator
Hydro Powered Car
Hydro Powered Grist/Flour Mill
Windmill
Sail Car
Wind Powered Water Lift
Task 2:
Working in the same groups, take pictures and record video of what you built and what it does using an ipad. Create a short imovie Public Service Announcement that includes ALL group members:
Describe:
What you built
How you built it
What powers it
Compare and Contrast:
Nonrenewable Energy vs Renewable Energy
Convince:
Your viewers to stop using/wasting nonrenewable energy
Persuade:
Your viewers to use environmentally friendly alternatives.
**Students that are video camera shy can complete their part utilizing the voice over option in imovie**