Solar Relay Activity

• In this lesson plan, students learn how solar panels produce electricity by acting as electrons moving through a giant model of a solar cell and electrical circuit.
• Students will expand their knowledge of Wisconsin's energy sources, develop a solar energy model, and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using solar energy.

Positives

• The activity allows students to visualize firsthand how solar cells work.
• Students will love getting up and moving for this activity!

Additional Prerequisites

• To set up the model solar panel and cell, teachers need plastic cones, rope, and printed labels/pictures from the last 11 pages of the PDF document. Teachers must set this up ahead of time according to the diagram on page 2.
• The activity requires some open space, so teachers may need to move desks to accommodate this. Alternatively, teachers can set up the activity outside or in a gym or cafeteria.
• Students should already be familiar with the uses of electricity, where electricity comes from, and renewable vs nonrenewable electricity sources.

Differentiation

• This activity is an engaging resource for engineering and physical science classes learning about electrical circuits and cells.
• Earth and space science classes can use this resource to learn about solar and renewable energy.
• Teachers in younger grade levels should use simplified vocabulary and guide students more directly during the activity. Teachers can skip some of the more advanced introduction and discussion questions.
• Students can write pro/con lists for solar panels and traditional forms of electricity production like coal and natural gas and compare the lists to determine which sources of electricity they think are better.
• Students can write a summary of how solar cells produce electricity to synthesize and communicate what they have learned.
• Challenge students to describe how energy is transferred from solar to electric, kinetic, or electromagnetic energy in objects with solar cells, such as calculators, outdoor lights, toys, etc.
• Students can observe the community to determine where solar panels are currently utilized and identify additional locations that would be effective for solar panels.
• Students can research organizations in their area that help with solar energy installation and access.
• English language arts classes can connect with this lesson by tasking students with writing persuasive letters to their school, district, or city to encourage the installation of solar panels.