Photovoltaics
Topic: Photovoltaics
Source: The National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project, a nonprofit association sponsored by many energy-related organizations across the U.S.
Web Address: http://www.need.org/guides.htm, labeled Secondary Solar Energy Guide under “Hands-On Science Activities.”
Grade Levels: 8-12
Learning Strategies: Read and comprehend; learn by hands-on investigations; cooperative learning.
Frameworks Connections:
Science and Technology/Engineering
- Earth and Space Science, Grades 9-10
1. Matter and Energy in the Earth System
2. The Earth’s Sources of Energy - Chemistry, Grades 10-11
1. Properties of Matter
2. Atomic Structure
4. Chemical Bonding - Physics, Grades 9-10
- Technology and Engineering, Grades 9-10
1. Engineering Design
2. Conservation of Energy and Momentum
Mathematics
- Patterns and Relationships, Grades 7-8
- Geometry, Grades 7-8
- Number Sense and Operations, Grades 9-10
- Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability, Grades 9-10
Cost: Project kit (for one classroom) is $350. Teacher and student guides are free to download.
Description: This guide and materials kit is used to teach a five-class unit on photovoltaics. The unit consists of "hands-on investigations to teach secondary students the scientific concepts of photovoltaics." Activities explore how light intensity, light angle, distance from the light source, shadows, color of light, light concentration, and air temperature affect the electrical output of a photovoltaic (PV) cell, and the effect of combining PV cells in parallel. The activities are very detailed, and most involve elaborate set-ups. The activities in the student guide are blank; the teacher’s guide contains the procedures.
The teacher’s guide provides sufficient materials and procedural information, but no additional support. The unit is based around several investigative activities, and the teacher is expected to take the initiative in connecting aspects of photovoltaics to the curriculum.