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Most of us today rely on fossil fuels such as natural gas, coals and oil to bring us electricity. The burning of all these fossil fuels are harmful to our environment but they put harmful co2 emissons into our atmosphere. We are soon coming to an end with fossil fuels, we will eventually run out due to the rate we use them and the great dependency we have on them. What will be do for energy then?

For billions of years the sun has provided us with light, heat and energy. The sun effects everything on this earth; living things require steady light and heat, weather depends on the sun and the climate is also effect by the sun. I think you get the idea that we need the sun and can use the sun for energy, so what is solar energy?

Solar energy is a sustainable way to give us energy. There is a abundant sun light on this earth which can be used as energy and the used of this energy will eliminate harmful emissions. Solar energy is using energy from the sun as fuel to create heat and electricity. The sun has rays, which are independent particles of radiant energy know as photons or solar cells. These photons travel at the speed of light and take about 8 minutes to reach us here on earth. We are then able to convert this solar energy in to electricity to power our homes, cars, offices and schools , but how?

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We have all seen solar panels somewhere or another. They are the big blue grid shapes that sit on the roof tops of houses, buildings and sometimes cars. Solar Panels have a technical name called Solar Photovoltaic Panels or Solar PV Panels. The name comes from the use of scientific photovoltaic cells that capture the suns energy to convert it to electricity that we use to power our homes and buildings. Within each of PV panel a number of silicon cells react with the photons to produce a direct current or DC. When this DC is made it will flow to the inverter and turns into electricity called alternative current or AC. AC is the electricity we use to power our home, buildings and schools. AC allows us to watch TV, vacuum our room, turn on the lights, and powers our computers.

This is just the basic overview of how solar energy works. How can this relate to our daily lives here is Arizona?

This picture is a visual of how solar energy is converted to electricity.

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This video uses visuals to show how the solar panels work. The narrator gives the visuals names so its easier for a child to be engaged, understand and make connects to new words they are learning.

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A stop motion animation from the Center for Excitonics and the Museum of Science.

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There as some places on earth that receive more solar energy than others. Arizona is a great example of this. Arizona is one of the best places in the United States for solar energy. We are located in the desert and the sun is mostly shinning high in the sky. It is not hard to imagine why because the southwestern region of the state has a lot of solar potential. The state averages over 230 clear days a year. While the cities of Phoenix and Tucson can exceed 300 clear sunny days a year. Solar energy makes sense here because the amount of sun we have is great and Arizona is currently in the top 5 of states that are using more renewable energy sources.

This picture shows the amount of sunlight Arizona gets a day verses other parts of the country. It is colored red to show that Arizona gets a lot of sunlight and can benefit from Solar PV Panels.

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How can we apply this to everyday life? 

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How can we apply this to everyday life? 

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1. Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.

a. Introduce the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons.

b. Provide reasons that support the opinion.

c. Use linking words and phrases (e.g., because, therefore, since, for example) to connect opinion and reasons.

d. Provide a concluding statement or section. (3.W.1)

Today the students learned about Solar Energy and how it is used as a renewable resource. In the assignment we are going to do today each student will get to be creative. This assignment is going to cover 3.W.1 of the writing common core standard. The student will be asked to use the information they learned today and apply some future thinking.

First the students will write a short opinion with supportive reasoning. The writing should use the terminology they heard in the lesson about solar energy. The student will choose something we have today that uses natural gas, oil or coal to run. This can be car, bus, train, oven, lawn mower, etc. In a minimum of 2 short paragraphs they will answer; why they think it is most important to change this item, how changing to use renewable energy will benefit us, and why they think it currently doesn't use renewable energy technology. Next the students will draw what this item will look like now that is run by solar energy. Finally, the students will share with a partner their drawing and discuss the reasons they think this will work and be beneficial in our world today.

Assignment Example

A car is something that uses gas to run. I think cars should run on solar energy because it effects all of us. Almost everyone uses a car to get around which use up a lot of expensive gas. Using less gas will help the air quality because in the lesson we learn solar energy will eliminate harmful emissions.....

I think cars are still using gas because...

Drawing of Solar cars

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http://youtu.be/rYuiT1ZS27o

http://www.eia.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=solar_home-basics

http://youtu.be/dngqYjHfr98

http://www.azenergyfuture.com/solar-leadership/

http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/index.cfmEE=1&RE=1&SPV=0&ST=0&technology=Photovoltaics&sh=1

http://www.motherearthnews.com/renewable-energy/solar-incentives-solar-power-resources.aspx?PageId=2#ArticleContent