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Common Core & Next Generation Science Standards

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Common Core & Next Generation Science Standards

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Include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, sound) and visual displays in presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes. (5.SL.5)

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly. (5.W.2)

Introduce a topic clearly, provide a general observation and focus, and group related information logically; include formatting (e.g., headings), illustrations, and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension. (5.W.2.a)

Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment. 5-ESS3-1.

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Solar Energy is one of the most widely available forms of clean energy. If we were able to capture all of the solar energy that falls to the Earth, only 20 days of sunshine would be necessary to match the energy output of all of the remaining fossil fuel energy left on the planet!

For billions of years, plants and animals have been harnessing the sun's energy through photosynthesis. Scientists have been working to replicate this for decades now, finally finding answers in modern technology to power our homes and cities. Scientists have been successful in capturing the Sun's energy through solar cells, or photovoltaic cells that change sunlight into electricity. By combining these cells, solar panels are created which we able to put on tops of buildings or cover large plots of land with to harness the sun.

While Solar Energy is the worlds most abundant clean energy resource, we are only able to use it when the sun is actually out. Even though we have some capacity to store the sun’s energy, the batteries needed to store the energy can be hazardous to our water and are made up of rare earth minerals (that are not never-ending) and are very expensive to create.

Another drawback from solar energy is that before we can start gathering it, we must instal solar panels and batteries first which can be quite expensive. It takes about 10 years for a homeowner's investment to be recouped, which is problematic for average AZ homeowners who typically only spend 7 years in their home before moving. Also, not everyone lives in a home that constantly faces the sun (North/South) or they do not own their home (think apartment living) so they have no say in using solar energy or not.

Click the infographic below and to the right and then press "source" to see the full size versions of solar panel history and future. Also, watch the video on the right to learn more about how solar panels work.

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A simple and easy to understand animated video which explains how solar energy panels work. You can visit http://www.greenlivingsolar.co.uk to find out more about the whole process. We install Solar Panels, Solar Thermal, Heat Pumps etc... Sponsored by Green Living. Video Animation by: www.blueinkdesign.co.uk

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Now that you have more information about solar energy, take a look at your upcoming assignment. I will be putting our class into 5 groups, assigning a different topic concerning solar energy to each group. Group (1) will be discussing how solar energy is harnessed. In your presentation you will discuss the technology behind solar energy like the photovoltaic cells and the batteries we use to store solar energy. Group (2) will explore who is using solar energy. Your presentation will need to include both commercial (think ASU), residential uses as well as the leaders (by state) in solar energy. Group (3) will be explaining why solar energy is such a valuable energy source for Arizonan energy consumers.  Group (4) will discuss the downfalls (think economically) about solar energy. Also consider why solar energy is not a good, reliable source of energy for all states. Finally, Group (5) will be giving us an in-depth look into the future on solar energy.

Each small group will present their projects to the classroom as a whole. Groups may choose to use any technology tool (PowerPoint, Padlet, GoogleDocs, Prezi, etc.). In each presentation, there needs to be both visual and auditory elements (pictures and videos) as well as substantial text that aids the multimedia used. Within your text, each group needs to have included at least 10 facts you have learned during this lesson. (See bottom of page for helpful and factual links on solar energy) Remember, any materials included in your presentation must be informational and engaging AND you must include where you found them (give credit) at the end of your presentation. Points will be deducted for extraneous inclusions and lack of accreditations. Additionally, at the end of your presentation, be sure to leave at least 3 minutes after your presentation for your peers to ask questions – which you must be prepared to answer. Your presentations should be between 10-15 minutes (no shorter, no longer- including question time).

*See Rubric

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Works Cited /annotations for videos/images used Make sure to annotate the images and video(s) you choose with a brief justification of why you selected the content and what viewers expect to see when reviewing the materials

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Works Cited /annotations for videos/images used Make sure to annotate the images and video(s) you choose with a brief justification of why you selected the content and what viewers expect to see when reviewing the materials

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How Solar Works >> http://pureenergies.com/us/blog/how-does-solar-power-work-

>> At pureenergies.com, students will see an infographic explaining just how solar power works in 4 simple stages. Students are also able to see 2010 comparisons of solar energy use through the U.S. and the MW output from the world's largest solar plants

Why Solar Energy >> http://lineshapespace.com/solar-energy-advantages-infographic/

>> At lineshapespace.com, the many benefits of solar energy are discussed. The infographic includes a breakdown of the potential spending and savings the average home would experience by going solar. The graphic also gives some insight as to how and why solar is better for our ecosystem

The Future of Solar Energy >> http://visualization.geblogs.com/visualization/solar/

>> This links to the Future of Solar graphic from above. Powered by GE, facts from this visualization are necessary for students to complete their assignment as it gives good detail on past, present and future solar use

Arizona Solar >> http://www.seia.org/state-solar-policy/arizona

>> At the Solar Energy Industries Association website, viewers have access to state-by-state solar use, solar research and project links, current events to attend that can help to educate community members on solar energy and more. Arizona's state solar policy page gives many facts on solar use in AZ as well as budget breakdowns for past, present and future projects

Arizona Solar >> http://1sun4all.com/clean-energy-infographics/top-10-solar-states-arizona-infographic-2/

>> 1sun4all.com includes many facts/infographics from seia.org. This website gives students another opportunity to explore solar use in Arizona

Arizona Solar >> http://visual.ly/solar-and-arizona-love-story >> http://www.epconsolar.com/about-us/

>> At visual.ly students are taken to Solar & Arizona: A Love Story Infographic (the one seen above). Epconsolar.com is the creator for this infographic. With the exploration of their websites, students can learn about how solar energy works in the home and also about solar panel installation. "Epcon Solar is Arizona's and #1 trusted solar provider."

How Solar Works >> http://www.greenlivingsolar.co.uk/

>> GreenLiving Home Improvements website shows viewers another great look as to how solar panels work. GreenLiving is a commercial website powered by those who ..."see our role at Green Living to provide our customers with an unbiased opinion, in-depth knowledge and industry expertise that will allow them to make the best decision for their home or businesses."

History of Solar Energy >> http://www.theecoexperts.co.uk/the-history-of-solar-energy-infographic

>> theecoexperts.co.uk is a great and informative website for all things solar. This website is home to the History on Solar infographic from above. Visitors to the site are even able to compare the prices of solar panels from their area code to other locations as well as get many of their questions answered through their in depth database of solar energy.

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Why is Solar Energy Valuable in Arizona?

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Why is Solar Energy Valuable in Arizona?

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Over the last for years, the solar initiative in Arizona has grown substantially. Arizona is one of the sunniest states in the U.S. making it a prime candidate for widespread solar energy use. Just outside of Yuma, AZ is the sunniest place on Earth. In fact, there is enough sun-drenched land there that if covered in solar panels, it would match 80% of the worlds current total energy use.

The amount of solar energy installed is enough to power over 265,000 homes, granting Arizona 2nd place in the top 10 states with solar use for the last 2 years.

In 2014, Arizona's solar use will save enough water to fill 25,000 swimming pools! and the expansive use of solar energy has worked to create over 330 companies, creating more than 8,500 new jobs in Arizona, which is outstanding for our economy.

Solar Energy is very valuable to the state of Arizona as it provides jobs, cuts back our water use and of course, allows the state to take part in the world's largest source of clean energy.

Click the infographic to the right and then press "source" to see the full size version