Cafe Sol Bistro, 1997

Topic: Solar Energy

Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory & US Dept of Energy

Web address: http://www.nrel.gov/education/teacher/cafesol.html

Grade Levels: 9-12

Learning Strategies: Project-based learning, reading comprehension, group work

Frameworks Connections:

Science and Technology/Engineering

• Earth and Space Science, Grade 9 or 10

  1. Matter and Energy in the Earth System
  2. The Earth’s Sources of Energy
  

• Physical Sciences, Grades 6-8

  Heat Energy
  

• Technology/Engineering, Grades 6-8, 9-10

  2. Engineering Design (for Grades 6-8)
  1. Engineering Design (for Grades 9-10)
  

• Life Sciences, Grades 6-8

  Living Things and Their Environment

Cost: Free lessons (Sun’s Joules can be ordered at http://www.nrel.gov/clean_energy/teach_pv.html)

Description: Before beginning this lesson, it is recommended that students either receive background information on renewable energy from the Sun’s Joules software or other curriculum standards. From this information and from directions specific to the lesson, a class can create a solar cooker, cook a balanced meal, participate in an informal Jeopardy assessment, and evaluate group write-ups on their creations. Students work together in groups and as a result, the teacher can formally and informally assess their outcomes on the project using a rubric provided through the website.

Connections to real-life experiences include the use of renewable energy to power typical household appliances and a connection to proper nutrition. Although the activities are targeted at middle school students, the correlating learning standards are at the high school level. Some alterations may need to be made by the teacher in order to ensure that the appropriate objectives are achieved at either level.