(Full teacher resource documents are included in the PDF)
Lesson Focus This lesson focuses on how the sun’s energy can be used to heat and cool buildings. Teams of students construct passive solar houses from everyday materials. They then test their solar houses to determine how well they regulate temperature.
Lesson Synopsis
The "Solar Structures" lesson explores how the power of the sun can be harnessed to heat and cool a building. Students work in teams of "engineers" to design and build their own solar houses out of everyday items. They test their solar house, evaluate their results, and present to the class.
Age Levels: 8-18
Objectives
Design and build a passive solar house
Test and refine their designs
Communicate their design process and results
Anticipated Learner Outcomes
Anticipated Learner Outcomes
As a result of this lesson students will have:
Designed and built a passive solar house
Tested and refined their designs
Communicated their design process and results
Lesson Activities
In this lesson, students work in teams of "engineers" to design and build their own solar house out of everyday items. They test their solar house, evaluate their results, and present to the class.
