Building Solar Engineering Support Teaching Materials

How do engineers use solar energy to heat buildings?

Engineers use solar energy to heat buildings by investigating the thermal storage properties of some common materials in this activity. Students learn about how solar energy is used to heat buildings by evaluating the usefulness of each material as a thermal mass in a passive solar building. Materials include sand, salt, water, and shredded paper.

How can I help students learn about solar energy?

To help students learn about solar energy effectively, consider the following activities: Organize a tour of a home or facility that uses one or more solar technologies. Invite a solar designer/engineer to give a presentation to the class. Have students design posters for a campaign encouraging Americans to use solar energy more. Building solar cookers and inviting another class for a solar picnic is also an engaging way to learn about solar energy.

What are the teaching materials?

Teaching materials include instructor guides, student handouts, answer keys, and additional resources for each of the lessons explored in the Solar Institutes. Documentation is also provided for each lesson referencing the US DOE Energy Literacy Standards (ELS) and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

How do we use solar energy?

The steam turns a turbine and produces electricity that is sent to our houses via power lines, and used in our electrical items like a refrigerator. Or how solar energy is used by plants to create food so they can grow and then we, in turn, use the plants as food to provide energy for our bodies.)

How do you make a solar power project?

To create a solar power project, set up stations for each filling material: sand, salt, water, shredded paper, and measuring cups or jars. Make copies of the Solar Power Data Sheet. Divide students into groups of 4. Distribute four cans, five thermometers, and one pre-painted box to each team of students. Have teams put identifying tags or stickers on their box.

Why do engineers need solar panels?

Engineers are instrumental in developing low-cost and reliable methods for creating carbon-free, clean energy sources, especially solar power. Continued advances in solar panel designs are making them more affordable, energy-efficient, and able to be integrated into our built environment in innovative ways.