Learn how technology can interact with our natural environment to power our devices and measure our impact. Students will build a solar panel and capacitor to light an LED when pressing a button.
In this mission, you will join Piperbot and Pip as they learn how Zomars store solar energy before a storm hits. You will simulate the sun with a flashlight and charge the capacitor to light the LED within the house.
Students will understand how a solar panel collects energy.
Students will learn about the charge and discharge of a capacitor.
Students will gain knowledge about resistors, the differences between resistors, and the markings on the resistor.
Students will reinforce their understanding of dividing voltage through resistors.
Learning Activities
The following sections will contain step by step instructions for ELA, ELD and Math extensions directly related to this mission. Adjust the directions to fit your ELA, ELD and Math standards.
ELA Extension: How Can You Save Energy in Your Home?
In this exploration, students will identify sources of energy loss and ways to save energy and money to create efficiencies.
Explain to students that “vampire power” electricity leakage comes from devices that use power even when turned off in the home. These devices are called “Energy Vampires” and can waste valuable energy.
Quick Write Have each student do a “quick write” on electronic items in their homes that might be Energy Vampires. Make a list of your likely suspects.
Think-Pair-Share Pair students together and ask them to brainstorm items in their homes suspected of being Energy Vampires. Have them create a joint list.
Group Share Out. Bring the class together and have students share their lists and thoughts on vampire power as it relates to their homes. On a whiteboard or sheet of chart paper, chart student ideas and lists of Energy Vampires.
Vampire Load Solutions. After students share their ideas, break them up into new groups of 3-4 and ask them to answer these questions:
Knowing about Vampire Power is an excellent first step, but how can you lower your energy bill and save money?
What can you do to help the environment regarding energy use?
List four things you can do to eliminate Energy Vampires and share them with the class. Possible responses could be: Use a power strip, unplug vampire devices when not in use, use a watt monitor to check which devices or appliances are Energy Vampires, unplug your phone, put a computer on sleep mode, unplug the coffee maker, unplug video game consoles, research the device itself and its power load, or be proactive and look into purchasing Energy Star* devices if you’re able.
The best examples of Energy Vampires are devices that can be turned on and off, usually by remote. These include televisions, desktop computers and monitors, printers, satellite or cable boxes, and video game consoles. These Energy Vampires leak electricity when they’re off because they’re in standby mode, always waiting for a signal to turn on.
Some non-remote devices are also Energy Vampires. These include digital clocks, cable modems, and microwaves. Less obvious examples include electric toothbrushes, coffee makers, and, once fully charged, plugged-in devices such as cell phones, laptops, and tablets.
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ENERGY EXPEDITION RESOURCES
Material Library
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Standards Alignment
Individual Standards
CA 3-5.CS.2 Demonstrate how computer hardware and software work together as a system to accomplish tasks.
CA 4-ESS3 Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels are derived from natural resources and that their uses affect the environment (5.ESS3.C; MS.PS3.D; MS.ESS2.A; MS.ESS3.A; MS.ESS3.C; MS.ESS3.D
Computer with USB port and Chrome or Edge browser
Piper Make Base Station or Starter Kit
Piper Make Solar House
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