TITLE: SOLAR HOT BOX
AUTHOR: John Sandru; Battle Mountain Junior High, Nevada
GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT: 5-6 Solar Energy
OVERVIEW:
This lesson is designed to explore different aspects of solar energy. The
students have already been exposed to various forms of alternate energy
sources and the reasons for their use. The students will build a solar hot
box in order to test various colors and materials to find the maximum
temperature that can be reached.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this lesson is to demonstrate to students through
discovery that different colors and materials create various
temperatures.
OBJECTIVES:
1. The student will review the basic needs for alternative energy
sources.
2. The students will be able to identify at least three different
materials that will produce maximum heat.
3. The students will be able to identify at least three different
colors that will produce maximum heat.
4. The students will be able to solve a design problem for a solar hot box.
CONTENT SEQUENCE:
Teach basic alternative energy sources.
Teach heat conductive and repelling materials.
Teach heat conductive and repelling colors.
Experiment with materials and colors for maximum heat.
Teach designs for a solar hot box.
RESOURCES/MATERIAL:
Shoe boxes
different colored construction paper
Cellophane different colors
aluminum foil
thermometers
large sheet of paper
ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURE:
This lesson will begin with a review of what alternate energy sources are.
Each student will be required to brain storm as many energy sources
as they can in a set time limit. At the end of the time limit the students
will discuss which of the energy sources are used every day and which
ones are alternative sources. Ask the students to discover for themselves
why we consider some energy sources alternate and some not.
Explain to the students that today they will experiment with solar
heating to decide if all energy needs in the U.S. can be met by solar energy.
TEACHING PROCEDURE:
1. Experiment with colors to determine which colors will absorb or
reflect heat. Use colored cellophane when they build their boxes.
2. Experiment with materials to determine which materials will
absorb or reflect heat. Use shoe boxes, foil, construction paper for the
materials.
3. Define what a solar hot box is.
4. Define what a solar collector is.
5. Explain that a solar hot box differs from a solar collector only in the
respect that the solar heat is collected and contained in the box is not
purposely transferred. The heat from a solar collector is usually
transferred from the collector by a heated air or water medium to another
location.
6. Students will build their own hot box using the colors and materials
they choose. Students can work in pairs or alone to build their box and
conduct the experiment.
7. Explain that each hot box groups will go outside and complete a
temperature experiment to determine the maximum temperature it will
reach.
8. Have each group set their experiment up with a thermometer on the
inside.
9. At one minute intervals have each group record the temperature of the
hot box. Do this for ten (10) minutes.
10. Bring the results into the classroom and record the temperatures for
each group on the board.
11. Ask the students which hot box achieved the highest temperature the
fastest.
CLOSURE:
When the students have decided which box worked the best and which one
didn't work ask them to brain storm conditions outside that would help or
hinder the solar heating process. Make a list on a large sheet of paper and
hang it the room.
EVALUATION:
For the next day ask the students to compose a paragraph addressing why
solar energy might not be the answer to all the energy needs of the
U.S.
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John Kurilecjmk@ofcn.org