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Notes for teachers

I gave 10 minutes at the end of the model lesson to create a lab and then had a google survey to give me their ideas.

Then I made a lab sheet with their ideas of 5 different angles of the solar panel and measuring voltage to find the best angle to get the highest amount of voltage.

I made a Google survey for data collection for a class discussion

Unit Lessons

List of Materials

Pre-Investigation Video
Pre-Investigation Google Survey
Investigation Data Google Survey for each hour
Make a copy and print the Solar Panel Investigation lab paper
Lab Materials

solar panel
protractor
multimeter

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Standards

Math Standards:

8.SP.A.1-4 - Investigate patterns of association in bivariate data

8.F.A. 1-2 - Define, evaluate, and compare functions

Science Standard:

8.P4U1.3

Construct an explanation on how energy can be transferred from one energy store to another.

8.P4U2.5

Develop a solution to increase efficiency when transferring energy from one source to another.

Science and Engineering Practices

ask questions and define problems
develop and use models
plan and carry out investigations
analyze and interpret data
use mathematical and computational thinking
construct explanations and design solutions
engage in argument from evidence
obtain, evaluate and communicate information

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Objective(s):

Today the students will have a group discussion and then design an investigation to increase the efficiency of the solar panel. Using a solar panel, protractor and multimeter.

Conduct an investigation of the efficiency of 5 different angles of the solar panel by measuring voltage.

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Agenda (55-75 minutes)

Pre-Investigation & Video 10 minutes

Investigation 30-40 minutes

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

How can we increase the voltage production of a solar panel using a protractor and mulitmenter?

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Solar Panel Angle Pre-Investigation

Pre-Investigation

Show the students the materials for the lab, and have them create an investigation.

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Solar Panel Angle Investigation

Students read all instructions
Students complete the Investigation.

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Solar Panel Angle Investigation

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Solar Panel Angle Investigation

Each group fills in their data into the Google survey all all the hours

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Assessment

Looking at their data, were they able to come up with 1 angle that would be the best.

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Differentiation

Walk around and help students setup and angles to make sure they are getting good data.

If cloudy that day or if you have students that are sun sensitive have a heat lamp setup in the classroom so they can still complete the lab.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Have the students analyze and explain the different hours data collection in the Google survey.

Make a prediction about different seasons and amount of voltage.