Solar Energy Activities

After a brief description of solar cells, including the next generation concept, the authors suggest purchasing solar kits to use with students to explore solar energy and electrical generat... See More

After a brief description of solar cells, including the next generation concept, the authors suggest purchasing solar kits to use with students to explore solar energy and electrical generation. Along with the kits the authors provide several websites which describe the solar intensity and solar power resource maps for the USA. Students can then explore the nature of electricity produced by these devices. Lastly the authors direct the reader to websites that have examples of lessons that give students opportunities to explore with hands-on activities this energy resource.

Go Green with Solar Cells

This article thoroughly discusses the importance of implementing lessons related to solar cells. It includes a brief explanation of electricity, ideas for inquiry based lessons, and the mate... See More

This article thoroughly discusses the importance of implementing lessons related to solar cells. It includes a brief explanation of electricity, ideas for inquiry based lessons, and the materials necessary for such lessons. It also includes a discussion of several web sites that can be used in the classroom to enhance studies of solar-generated electricity and goes on to describe a professional development "Energy Academy" that provides stipends and travel expenses to participating teachers. With the interest in "green fuel," this article nicely ties together solar cells and their classroom application.