The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

IT’S CLEAN UP TIME!

SOLAR POWERED BOTTLE CLEANING BOAT

IT’S CLEAN UP TIME! �SOLAR POWERED �BOTTLE CLEANING BOAT�

4th Grade STEM Lesson

Cindy Barredo

June 2023

Notes for Teachers

• This lesson is a STEM performance task after learning how solar energy works.

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• The students will be asked to build a project that can be useful in the environment using recycled and basic materials.

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• The students are grouped into 3-5 members to foster collaboration.

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• Before the class starts, make a model of the solar bottle boat to get a feel on how to make them and how they work.

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List of Materials

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• 2 large plastic recycled water bottles
• Cardboard
• 4 5V solar panels
• 12 electric wires/electrical tape ¾” x 60’
• 1 DC motor
• 1 on and off switch
• 1 propeller
• 1 metal rod
• 1 gear connector
• 1 fishing net or plastic mesh strainer
• 1 glue gun and glue sticks
• Kiddie pool for testing the boat
• Instruction Guide

Standards

Science and Engineering Practices

• Ask questions and define problem
• Use mathematical and computational thinking
• Construct explanations and design solutions
• Apply scientific design, construct, and test a design of an object tool, process or system
• Define a design problem that can be solved through the development of an object, tool, process or system and includes multiple criteria and constraints, including scientific knowledge that may limit possible solutions
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Ed Technology:

3-5.4.c. Students, in collaboration with an educator, engage in a cyclical design process to develop, test and refine prototypes and reflect on the role that trial and error plays.

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Standards

Science

• 4.PS3-2 Make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat and electric currents.

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• 4.PS3-4 Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.

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ELA

• 4.W3 Write narratives to develop real time or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

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Mathematical Practices:

MP.5 Use appropriate tools strategically.

Objectives:

The students will learn vocabulary about the feature of a boat.

The students will follow the step by step instructions on how to assemble a solar powered water cleaning boat.

The students will evaluate the performance of their solar powered boat and make necessary troubleshooting to improve the boat’s performance.

The students will explain how energy is transferred from one energy source to another.

The students will write a narrative of their personal experience building the solar boat and the impact it has to the community.

Agenda

I will allow three class periods for this activity.

Activating Prior Knowledge (LINK)

Unlocking of Term

Video Presentation

Designing/ Building solar powered cleaning boat

Testing/Troubleshooting

Group Discussion

Writing Activity

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

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How does solar power work?

How does a solar panel work?

Is a solar powered boat possible?

How have solar panels been used in boats?

What types of material will you need to make use of to assemble a solar powered boat?

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Let’s Do the LINK!

• In Dyad, have the students work on the first and second columns of the LINK chart, share and discuss ideas.

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Hook Me Up

• Have the students watch a video about how the solar power and solar panel work and let them fill out the last two columns of the LINK chart. Allow sharing of ideas with their partners. Then proceed with the unlocking of terms (hull, motor, propeller, rudder)

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• Direct students attention about how will they help manage water pollution, particularly in the area of Colorado river after learning solar power. What model can they build to help maintain the river clean.

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Designing and Building Solar Powered Bottle Cleaning Boat

• First, show the students the model you prepared before the class and point out the materials used.

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The Building Process

1. Making the base for the Solar Panel
1. Cut the cardboard into a stage-like frame, and hot glue it on top of the two large plastic bottles. This will serve as the structure that will carry the solar panels, the net, and the propeller.

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2. Making the slot for the net

• Cut a rectangular slot at the top of the cardboard frame, to attach the net onto it. Make sure to glue it or permanently attach it as the net should be removable to discard garbage collected.

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3. Attaching the propeller, gear and metal rod

• Attach the propeller, gear, and metal rod to the motor using the hot glue. Then hot glue it onto the back of the cardboard frame.

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4. Mounting the Panels and wiring the motor to the switch

• Then mount or line up the 4 solar panels in parallel and solder the wires. Make use to solder the remaining wires to the switch and the motor.
• Double check if all the other parts are properly hot glued before testing the finished product.

Hands-on Activity Instructions

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Testing and Troubleshooting of the Boat

• Testing should be done outdoor in a Kiddie pool to test the solar panel. Have the students take note of the following questions while testing.

Does your boat float?

Does your boat run?

Can your boat run on sun alone?

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• If the boat is not working, let the students figure out the problem and do the necessary fixing.

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Group Discussion

Have the students answer the following questions:

What type of energy goes into the boat?

What is the energy entering the boat converted to?

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What are the issues you encounter while building your boat?

Do you consider your boat self-sustaining in collecting waste in the water? why and why not?

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Wrapping Up

Have the students write a narrative of their personal experience building a solar powered bottle cleaning boat and the impact it has in the environment and the community.

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Assessment

Completed Solar Powered Bottle Cleaning Boat

Completed written narrative

Group Discussion

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Differentiation

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A video of a step-by-step instructions in building a solar powered bottle cleaning boat can be provided for students who are having difficulties using the printed instruction guide.

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Testing can be done in a swimming pool to have a wider space.

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Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Have the students calculate energy going into the boat through the solar panel

• What is the area of each solar panel? Convert your answer to m2 (100 cm = 1 m and 2.54 cm = 1 inch)

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• If the energy from the sun is 1350 W/m2, calculate the energy going into the system. Use this formula: Power In = 1350 x Area of Solar Panels in m2

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