Today's Classroom Activities :

Solar Energy

A Raisin in the Sun
Science Use solar energy to make raisins in your room. Let the students wash and dry 4-6 grapes. Write each student's name on a small paper plate and have them place their grapes on the plates. Place the plates on drying racks in a window that gets a lot of sun. The racks will allow air to circulate and assist the drying process. If you wish, cover the plates with cheesecloth. Let the plates sit for 5-7 sunny days. Have your students check progress and record observations every few days. Compare these raisins with store-bought raisins. How are they alike or different? What do your students think caused the changes in the grapes?

Endless Energy?
Science Provide your students with solar-powered calculators, clocks or flashlights. Work with these items for a few days. What are the pros and cons for solar-powered mechanisms? What problems will need to be solved in order for solar energy to become more popular?

Energy Basics
Students will learn about the definition of energy, the forms that it comes in, and the difference between renewable and nonrenewable sources.

What Color Absorbs the Sun's Energy Best?
In this lesson, students place ice cubes on different colors of construction paper, set them in the sun, and see which ice cubes melt faster.

Harnessing Solar Energy
Students will discover the properties of light (radiant) energy from the sun by experimenting with solar collectors, cookers, and calculators.

Solar and Electric Cars
This lesson introduces students to vehicles that use alternative fuels for transportation and contrasts them to conventionally fueled vehicles.