Solar energy: Real-world use

Volume 6 | Gr. 3-5 | U28052
solar energy
Materials list
Solar Bottle Boat Class Kit (SB53392)
Solar Bottle Boat Kits (SB40881) – 1 kit for each small group of 2-4 students
• One to two 16 oz. recycled plastic bottles with caps for each group (depending on model being built)
• Various other 16-18 oz. recycled plastic bottles (students can use these when making modifications)
School Works!® Safety Point Scissors (9729183)
Electrical tape, 3/4″ x 60′ (SB50541)
Heavy-duty awl (to poke holes in the bottles) (9723871)
Large plastic tub, kiddie pool, or Raingutter Regatta® (NA10268) filled with water
Solar Energy: Running on Sunshine by Amy S. Hansen
Solar Energy 101 video: https://youtu.be/L5jpCY3BO4k
Nasco budget yardstick (9704372)
All-purpose digital stopwatch (TB14784)
• One set of laminated step-by-step directions and troubleshooting sheet for each group. (Make several sets of each type of boat as each group of students will select their own boat to build.)

*The directions and troubleshooting document contain the same information as the blue booklet found in the kit. It’s given in a separate form for better student accessibility.

• Double-sided worksheet (included in this lesson). The front activity corresponds with the introduction and the back activity corresponds with Activity 1 (included with lesson)
• Analysis sheet (included with lesson)
• Recording sheet (included with lesson)
• Adult volunteers to help each group of students as they build their boats
• A sunny day (preferably at a time close to noon with little to no wind)

Optional:
• Painting supplies:

Brushes (9727731)
Acrylic paint [9714725(A-Z)]
Paint cups (9729701)