Teacher Resource Guide - The Tech Interactive · Green by Design Teacher Resource Guide 1 201 S....

Green by Design Teacher Resource Guide

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Table of Contents

Lab Summary 1

Grade Level

Student Outcomes

State and National Standards Connections

Related Links And Games 2

Related Texts 3

Gallery And Exhibit Connections 5

Writing Prompts 7

Pre-Visit Writing Topics/Prompts

Post-Visit Writing Topics/Prompts

Pre-Visit Vocabulary And Activities 8

Terms and Definitions

Vocabulary Activities

Graphic Organizers

Vocabulary Review Games


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Lab Summary

In this lab, students will harness the power of wind and sun! Students work as teams to investigate the power of

solar cells and use their newfound knowledge to design and build solar-powered cities. Wind power is also

investigated as student teams design and construct wind turbine blades to build the most energy efficient wind

turbine.

Grade Level: 3-8

Student Outcomes

Students will be able to construct a circuit(s) to light a minimum of 3 LED’s using solar cells as the source of

electricity.

Students will be able to design, build, and test a wind turbine that generates a minimum of .05 volts of electricity.

Students will be able to create simple parallel circuits using solar cells as a power source.

State and National Standards Connections

Next Generation Science Standards

Grade 4: Physical Science 4-PS3-1, 4-PS3-2, 4-PS3-4; Earth and Space Sciences 4-ESS3-1

Grade 5: Earth and Space Sciences 5-ESS3-1

Grades 3-5: Engineering Design 3-5-ETS1-1, 3-5-ETS1-2, 3-5- ETS1-3

Grades 6-8: Earth and Space Science MS-ESS3-2, MS-ESS3-3, MS-ESS3-4, MS-ESS3-5; Engineering Design MS-ETS1-1,

MS-ETS1-2, MS-ETS1-3, MS-ETS1-4

Common Core Math – Measurement and Data

Grade 4: 4.MD.6

Common Core Language Arts – Speaking and Listening

Grade 3: SL.3.1b-d, SL.3.3, SL.3.4a

Grade 4: SL.4.1b-d, SL.4.4a

Grade 5: SL.5.1b-d, SL.5.4

Grade 6: SL.6.1b-d

Grade 7: SL.7.1b-d

Grade 8: SL.8.1b-d

California Science Content

Grade 3: Physical Science 1.a-d, f; 2.a-b; Life Sciences 3.d-e; Investigation and Experimentation 5.a-e

Grade 4: Physical Science 1.a,g; Investigation and Experimentation 6.a,c,d

Grade 5: Investigation and Experimentation 6.b,c,f,h

Grade 6: Earth Science 3.a-b; 4.a-b; 6.a-c; Investigation and Experimentation 7.a,c,d,e

Grade 7: Investigation and Experimentation 7.a,c,d,e

Grade 8: Investigation and Experimentation 9.a-b


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Related Links and Games

The following links and games provide additional information regarding fossil fuels, green energy, and energy

conservation. We are not endorsing the following organizations, but feel that the information provided by said

organizations may be of benefit to your students and may help enhance the learning experience of the lab.

Energy Star: Interactive site about energy efficiency, use, and waste. Includes fun facts about energy and

energy conservation as well as a teacher page with lesson plans, slide shows, and information on school

partnerships with Energy Star. http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=kids.kids_index

Projected Sea Level Rise: This interactive site has maps, analysis tools, and data that allow the user to see

projected sea level rises for all over the state of California. http://sealevel.climatecentral.org/ssrf/california

Emissions and emission-reduction calculators on-line: Calculate how much pollution is caused by the energy

used in your home or business. Just enter your monthly energy bill and answer a few questions, and the

calculator displays emissions information including greenhouse gases, smog-forming gases, and toxic

materials. http://www.cleanerandgreener.org/resources/calculators.htm

How Solar Panels Work: This short video explains how silicon combined with other chemicals work together

to produce free electrons to generate electricity in a Photovoltaic cell (solar cell).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0InAuhAre4&list=RDdngqYjHfr98&index=4

Energy 101: Wind Turbines: This brief video from the US Department of Energy gives a simple and easy to

follow explanation of how a wind turbine works and showcases the various parts and mechanisms of a wind

turbine. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tsZITSeQFR0

Power Up Game: This game by NASA lets the player move wind turbines and solar panels to generate

enough electricity to power a small city. Watch out for low winds and rain clouds when moving your

generators; they can’t generate when wind or sun are low! http://climatekids.nasa.gov/power-up/

Save the World Game: This game by Wonderville puts the player in the position to save the world from its

energy crisis. Students are introduced to seven different regions that rely on renewable energy resources.

Each region has a different capacity to use each type of energy, so players must build what will work for

each region. When the player has powered all seven regions, they have saved the world!

http://www.wonderville.ca/asset/save-the-world

o This game also has great videos at the end of each region to show how a particular renewable

energy generator works.

o Teacher tip: when using the drag and drop feature, drop the generators towards the bottom of the

target to make it stay.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=kids.kids_index

http://sealevel.climatecentral.org/ssrf/california

http://www.cleanerandgreener.org/resources/calculators.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0InAuhAre4&list=RDdngqYjHfr98&index=4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tsZITSeQFR0

http://climatekids.nasa.gov/power-up/

http://www.wonderville.ca/asset/save-the-world


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Related Texts

The following titles may provide students with a greater contextual understanding of green technology and energy.

Included in the list are narratives (fiction/nonfiction), referential texts, and books that extend learning beyond the

scope of the lab. We are not endorsing the following authors, but feel that the information provided by said

authors may be of benefit to your students and may help enhance the learning experience of the lab.

Narratives

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. By William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer.

o Recommended for grades 5-12

o Young Readers Edition: Recommended for grades 3-5

o Picture Book Edition: Recommended for grades 2-3

o An engaging tale that relates how an enterprising teenager in Malawi builds a windmill from scraps

he finds around his village and brings electricity, and a future to his family.

Energy Island: How One Community Harnessed the Wind and Changed their World. By Allan Drummond.


o Meet the environmentally friendly folks of Samso, who, in a few short years, worked together for

energy independence, and who now proudly call their home Energy Island.

The Lorax. By Dr. Seuss.


o An ecological warning told through whimsical characters, rhyming prose, and creative illustrations.

The book warns that “Unless someone like you… cares a whole awful lot… nothing is going to get

better… It’s not.”

Reference

Alternative Energy: Beyond Fossil Fuel. By Dana Meachen Rau.


o Describes the problems posed by fossil fuel dependence; discusses the positivie and negative

aspects of such alternative energy sources as solar power, wind energy, and geothermal energy.

A Warmer World. By Caroline Arnold. Illustrated by Jamie Hogan.


o A thought-provoking and informative account of how global climate change has affected wildlife

over the past several decades. Following several species, including the golden toad in Costa Rica,

Caroline Arnold explores how warmer weather alters ecosystems, forcing animals to adapt or

become extinct.

How Renewable Energy Works. By Geoffrey Barker.


o Explore the world’s most revolutionary and exciting green technologies and inventive solutions to

addressing the concerns of carbon footprints.

The Next Wave: The Quest to Harness the Power of the Oceans (Scientists in the Field Series). By Elizabeth

Rusch.


o Journey to the Pacific Northwest where scientists and engineers are working to harness nature’s

powerful renewable energy sources – waves.

Basher Science: Climate Change: A Hot Topic! By Dan Green.



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o “From El Nino and hurricanes to deforestation and population growth of scale – this is a totally

comprehensible guide to a fast-moving, essential topic.” (www.basherbooks.com) A creative

introduction to climate change.

Extensions

No Impact Man. By Colin Beavan.


o A story about what it’s like to live eco-effectively told by a man who attempted to “save the planet

from environmental catastrophe while dragging his young daughter and his Prada wearing wife

along for the ride.” Easily select chapters to focus on or read the whole book.

Black Gold: The Story of Oil in Our Lives. By Albert Marrin.


o A riveting book that explores oil’s role in America (and the world) as a resource for energy and as a

shaper of history, society, politics, and the economy of every nation on earth.

http://www.basherbooks.com/


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Gallery and Exhibit Connections

The Tech Exploration Gallery (Lower Level)

View from Space: Created by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a presentation of

different aspects of Earth’s surface is projected onto a sphere. Students can take a seat and watch as the

projected presentation cycles through different views of Earth such as topography, atmospheric currents, and

the Earth at night.

o Connection to Lab:

This exhibit gives us a view of the Earth as a whole, reminding us that we are all part of the same

ecosystem.

Reinforces the concept of cause and effect on a global scale. By viewing this presentation, students

can more easily understand the link between human actions and planet health.

o Activity to complete at this exhibit:

If time permits, have students sit in the View from Space area and watch the entire presentation.

There are five, thirty second segments in the whole presentation. The loop starts as an introduction

to View from Space with the NOAA logo projected onto the sphere and is on a continuous loop.

o Questions to guide student learning:

What are the limitations of living on Earth? What are the limitations of the planet itself?

What is the earth mostly covered by?

Water

Energy Tower: Using light reflected onto solar panels and personally designed wind turbines in a wind tunnel,

students learn to work together and combine the energies to power the tower. Once fully powered, the top of

the tower will light up green!


Direct connection to lab by applying activities done in the lab on a larger scale.

Reinforces the concept of energy changing forms to generate electricity.

Also encourages the design challenge process.


First, focus all light onto solar cells until the mini City is completely lit. At this point the tower should

not be fully charged. Record the voltage output given on the solar panel screen. Leaving the solar

panel section as is, move over to the wind tunnel and fix the turbines to where they only have two

blades on each hub. Test by closing doors to activate the fan. Explore with different types, angles,

and quantities of blades noticing the change in voltage output.


What was the maximum amount of electricity produced by the solar panels?

What was the maximum amount of electricity produced by the wind tunnel?

How much electricity was required to power the tower?

o Activity extension: Next to the tower is a wall of electrical devices. These are all powered by students’

own energy (Kinetic Energy to Electrical Energy). By completing the exhibit activity, students will see how

much electricity is needed for both regular and energy efficient appliances.

The Tech Silicon Valley Innovation Gallery (Upper Level)

Liquid Galaxy: Powered by Google Earth, this simulation has all the features of Google Earth online plus more.

It has layers featuring maps from the Moon and Mars. Students can sit and explore many images and

functions of this exhibit.



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Students can see how humans have altered the surface and can examine the effects human

industrialism has had on the health of the planet.


Using the search function (keyboard icon), try to find renewable energy plants all over the world-

Altamont Pass Wind Farm (Power Works), Les Mees Solar Farm, Gemasolar Power Plant,

Hydroelectric Dams (Hoover Dam), and Geothermal Power Plants are just some examples.

Look for your own community. Look for the community of your friends and family.


What are the characteristics of the land surface areas? How do these characteristics affect surface

temperatures?

Lighter areas reflect more radiation (causes cooling), Darker areas (e.g. blacktops or buildings) absorb

more radiation (causes warming), Drier areas heat up faster; moist areas are moderated, etc.

How do city areas look different than natural areas?

Do the benefits of renewable energy power plants outweigh the negative effects of these power

plants?

All renewable energy power plants have some drawbacks to the process by which the energy is

harnessed. The goal is to mitigate these negative effects while still achieving maximum energy

production.


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San Jose CA. 95113

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Writing Prompts

The following writing prompts and questions are just a few examples of journal topics to incorporate writing into

your students’ lab experience. If you feel that one of the below prompts does not meet your needs, you are

welcome to use your own, but please make sure it is related to the chosen lab experience. If you have a related

writing prompt you would like to share with The Tech and other teachers, please let us know on our teacher survey

that will be available in the lab.

Most of the writing topics could be used as either pre-lab or post-lab writing. You may choose the prompts that

work best for your class and schedule.

Pre-Visit Writing Topics/Prompts

Generic

We will be attending ___lab name__ at The Tech Museum of Innovation; what do you think we will learn about in the

lab? What do you want to know about this topic? What do you already know about this topic?

We will be attending __lab name___ at The Tech Museum of Innovation; what are you looking most forward to in

this lab? Why?

Specific to Green by Design

There are many reasons why it is important to be energy efficient in today’s world. What are three reasons you

think it is important to be energy efficient and why?

Many families and schools practice energy efficiency. How are you and your family energy efficient at home? How

is your class energy efficient at school?

What do you think it means to be “green?”

Post-Visit Writing Topics/Prompts

Generic

We learned a lot in our _lab name_ lab. What were your two favorite things you learned in the lab? Why?

The principal is excited to hear all about your lab experience. Explain what you did and learned about in the lab

since she or he was unable to attend the lab.

Specific to Green by Design

Write a narrative about a day in the life of your solar city. Be sure to write about where your city’s power comes

from and what people do there. Why do you like living in your city? Do people like that it runs on solar power?

Why?

What are you and your family doing at home to be energy efficient? Can you be doing more? Create a plan to

share with your family on how to be more energy efficient.


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Pre-Visit Vocabulary and Activities

These are words and concepts that we will discuss in the lab. Your students’ experience will be enhanced if they are

familiar with these terms prior to your visit. Below you will find several graphic organizers and games to aid in your

vocabulary review.

Terms and Definitions

Circuit: An electrical device that provides a path for electrical current to flow.

Diode: An electrical component that only allows electrical current to flow one direction.

Energy: The capacity to do work; the property of a system that diminishes when the system does work on any

other system, by an amount equal to the work done.

Energy Efficiency: Energy efficiency refers to products or systems designed to use less energy for the same or

higher performance than regular products or systems.

Fossil Fuels: fuels formed by natural processes such as anaerobic (non-oxygen-based) decomposition, generally

taking millions of years. (e.g. oil)

Hydroelectric: generation of electricity through the use of flowing or falling water

Natural Resource: Something from the natural environment (water, air, trees, fuels) that is used to meet one's

needs and wants.

Non-renewable: A natural resource such as coal or mineral ore that is not replaceable after its removal.

Renewable: A resource that can be replaced in a relatively short time; examples are tides, wind, and solar energy

Solar Energy: The radiant energy of the sun that can be converted into other forms of energy, such as heat or

electricity.

Volts: a measuring unit of power

Wind turbine: A device that converts kinetic energy from the wind (wind energy) into mechanical energy

(electricity). A windmill for example.

Advanced Vocabulary

Series Circuit: A circuit in which devices are arranged in a row, one after another on a single path. Devices in series

share the energy from the power source.

Parallel Circuit: A circuit in which each device has an independent connection to the power source.

Capacitor: An electronic component that stores and releases electrical energy.

Photovoltaic Cell: A cell of material that converts solar radiation into direct current electricity.

Vocabulary Activities:

Graphic Organizers

Frayer Graphic Organizer: The Frayer Graphic Organizer is a great tool for vocabulary development. This graphic

organizer allows students to write their own definitions, define characteristics, and provide examples and non-

examples. This tool will lead your students to a deeper understanding of the vocabulary and how it relates to

their lives. On page 9 you will find a blank Frayer Graphic Organizer for your use in the classroom.

o For more information on the Frayer Model and how to implement it, please visit the following link:

http://www.theteachertoolkit.com/index.php/tool/frayer-model

Vocabulary Graphic Organizer: This graphic organizer is a great tool for younger students as well as English

Language Learners. Although very similar to the Frayer Model, this graphic organizer includes a drawing of the

vocabulary term and the use in a sentence. On page 10 you will find a blank Vocabulary Graphic Organizer for

your use in the classroom.

http://www.theteachertoolkit.com/index.php/tool/frayer-model


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Circle Map: This graphic organizer is a great tool for helping all students develop an overall sense of a topic. It is

also very helpful for beginning and early intermediate English Language Learners. This graphic organizer lets

students brainstorm what a term or concept means to them and provides a frame of reference for the term. On

page 11 you will find a blank Circle Map for your use in the classroom.

o For more information on the Circle Map and other Thinking Maps, please visit the following link:

http://thinkingmaps.com/why-thinking-maps-2/

Vocabulary Review Games

Quiz, Quiz, Trade: This is a fun cooperative game for students to review vocabulary terms. For more details and

to see an example of Quiz, Quiz, Trade in action, please visit the following link:

http://www.theteachertoolkit.com/index.php/tool/quiz-quiz-trade

1. Create questions or vocabulary cards. On one side of an index card, write the question or vocabulary

term; on the other, the answer or definition. Pass out the cards to students. If there are not enough

terms for everyone to have a different card, try using different “back” sides to the same cards (e.g.

instead of the definition again, have a drawing, a question about the term, characteristics of the term,

or an example of the term).

2. Pair up. When all cards have been passed out, students find a partner to quiz with their card.

3. Hands up. When both partners have completed the quizzes correctly, they put their hand up to show

other students that they are ready for a new partner to quiz.

Back-words: This game is part Charades part 20 Questions. In this review game, students have to guess the

vocabulary term that is on their back by asking questions of a partner or having the partner act out the term.

1. Write your vocabulary terms on index cards. If there aren’t enough terms for each student to have a

different one, you can make two sets and divide the class into two groups. You may also add in other

related vocabulary terms that you have been studying in class.

2. Tape one term onto the back of each student so that he or she cannot see the word.

3. Have students pair up. Each partner should look at the word on their partner’s back. Partners take

turns asking questions or acting out or gesturing about the term that is on their back. (e.g. “Am I an

element? Am I part of an atom? Do I make up all matter? Etc.) Partners must ask at least 2 questions

before guessing their word.

4. When both partners have correctly guessed their word, they put a hand up to signal that they are in

need of a new partner. Continue game play until everyone has guessed their word.

$10,000 Pyramid: This review game is exactly like the classic game show. Students will work in pairs, taking turns

to describe the words and to guess the words.

1. Break up the terms into two groups. Each partner will take on one group of words.

2. Have each partner fill out the worksheet on the next page with their group of words.

3. For the first round, Partner A will be the one describing the term and Partner B will be the one

guessing the term. Partner A will describe the term (starting with 1) using the words he or she wrote

down on the worksheet. From the description, Partner B will guess what the term is.

4. When Partner B guesses the word correctly, Partner A moves on to the next word.

5. When Partner B correctly guesses all the words in Partner A’s pyramid, they switch places and Partner

B will describe the terms on his or her pyramid while Partner A guesses the terms.

6. You can time this activity like on the quiz show, but it may intimidate some students.

http://thinkingmaps.com/why-thinking-maps-2/

http://www.theteachertoolkit.com/index.php/tool/quiz-quiz-trade


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Student Name: ____________________________________

$10,000 Pyramid

Write descriptive clues about each vocabulary term or concept

1. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Vocabulary

term or

concept

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Vocabulary

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concept

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Vocabulary

term or

concept

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Vocabulary

term or

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2

Vocabulary

term or

concept

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Vocabulary

term or

concept


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Frayer Graphic Organizer


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Vocabulary Graphic Organizer


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Teacher Resource Guide - The Tech Interactive · Green by Design Teacher Resource Guide 1 201 S....

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