🇬🇧 Solar Energy Sensing (micro:bit) | | : UK - England Year 5

🇬🇧 Solar Energy Sensing (micro:bit)

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UK - England Year 5

Explore the regions of the sun and its vital role in sustaining life on Earth with its vast amount of energy. Learn about harnessing the energy from the sun by building a model of a light-sensing and rotating solar panel.

Cover image

Overview and Objectives

05:00

Facilitators set the groundwork for students to understand the purpose and components of the project with a well-defined set of learning objectives. By delving into the lesson's fundamentals, students gain the confidence and insight to craft their unique renditions of the project.

Assign this lesson as a student resource. Have students read the list then watch the video.

This section prepares students to engage the lesson. The listed student objectives are a basic platform to get started, and students are encouraged to modify these and set their own goals based on their interests and areas for growth. Throughout the teaching of this entire lesson, the facilitator provides an opportunity for students to collaborate with each other and provide feedback on their individual or group project.

Preparation

30:00

Equip students for before starting the lesson by familiarizing them with frequently used vocabulary words, enhancing their writing skills, and engaging in constructive building exercises.

Get familiar with Sustainable Development Goals & vocabulary. Assign this lesson as student resources. Have students read the list and watch the video.

As students progress in the lesson, they will reflect on their learning with a group conversation or sketching in a journal in the Reflect section. This process includes assessing their own progress and identifies next steps to improve their project that are meaningful to them as they go into Challenges section.

Warm-up

10:00

Recognise that the sun is Earth's primary and secondary energy source.

When reading text, students apply vocabulary from Preparation section described in text. For students engage in rich images complementing the text and showing colorful science and engineering infographics and image media illustrating these concepts applying vocabulary terms. They'll see examples of a topics discussed, which gives them insight, especially when students lack access to see these inventions in person.

After reading the text, in a discussion, ask students to describe what the tone and mood of text is. For example, reading as melancholy or as determination. It highlights the stories of innovators, who faced challenges and setbacks, but persevered to make groundbreaking contributions where students can idenfity the tone of the text as informative and appreciative. The mood and tone is written as inspirational, informative, and appreciative. Students can infer that the author intends to inspire readers by showcasing the inventors' perseverance and innovative spirit.

Read and answer questions in Warm-up.

This section prepares students to engage the lesson. The listed student objectives are a basic platform to get started and students are encouraged to modify these and set their own goals based on their interests and areas for growth. Throughout the teaching of this entire lesson, the facilitator provides an opportunity for students to collaborate with each other and provide feedback on their individual or group project.

Imagine

15:00

Study the process of harnessing solar energy and weigh its use against fossil fuel use.

Start by discussing the concept of harnessing solar energy. You can ask students if they are familiar with how solar panels work or have seen them on rooftops or in their community. Explain that solar energy is a renewable energy source, and in this section, they will learn about its history, benefits, challenges, and emerging innovations.

  • What did you learn about the history of solar energy?
  • What are some benefits of using solar energy?
  • What challenges does the solar energy industry face?
  • Have you heard about any emerging solar innovations mentioned in the text? Which one interests you the most?

This Imagine section can be facilitated as whole-group reading and discussion, or it can be facilitated in small groups or with partners. In particular, images are meant to stimulate discussion and help students think about the concepts in the text. Questions can be used as formative assessments to check for comprehension.

SDGs

For GOAL 7 - AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY, after reading how solar panels work, ask what is the photovoltaic effect? Which is when light shines on metal to generate electricity.

Engage students in discussions about the importance of solar energy and its advantages. Examples include:

Advantages

  • Environmentally Friendly: Solar power generation produces minimal greenhouse gas emissions, reducing the carbon footprint and helping combat climate change.
  • Reduced Electricity Bills: Installing solar panels on residential or commercial properties can lead to significant electricity bill savings, as excess energy can be sold back to the grid or stored for later use.
  • Low Operating Costs: Solar panels require minimal maintenance, resulting in low operating costs compared to other forms of energy generation.
  • Energy Independence: Solar power provides an opportunity for individuals and communities to become more energy independent, relying less on traditional utility companies.

Disadvantages

  • Environmental Impact: The manufacturing and disposal of solar panels can have environmental consequences, including the use of rare materials and energy-intensive production processes.
  • Geographic Limitations: Solar power is most effective in regions with high levels of sunlight, limiting its potential in areas with frequent cloud cover or extreme latitudes.

Create

30:00

Create a light measuring device whilst moving a servo.

Students work on the instructions to build together in groups of 2-3.

National Curriculum

For KS2-1 and KS 2-2 - DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups.

For KS2-2, KS2-1 Evaluation instruct students to gather feedback from peers or teachers regarding the strengths and weaknesses of their prototype. Ask students to consider how they can improve their design based on the feedback received. Assess their ability to critically evaluate their work and incorporate feedback to enhance their product.

For KS2-1, KS2-2, KS2-3, KS2-4 - Technical Knowledge Application assign a specific technical challenge related to the prototype, such as adding mechanisms like gears, pulleys, or electrical components like switches and bulbs.
Instruct students to incorporate the assigned technical challenge into their prototype.

Build

45:00

Create a slow-moving panel that changes its angle to follow the sun's position as the micro:bit reads sunlight.

Watch the video to get an idea of the project's structure and a demonstration of how it works. Some may figure out how to construct the project just from pausing the video or looking at a few images from the steps. The instructions are helpful for new builders or those seeking general guidance.

National Curriculum

For KS2-1 and KS 2-2 - DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups.

For KS2-2, KS2-1 Evaluation instruct students to gather feedback from peers or teachers regarding the strengths and weaknesses of their prototype. Ask students to consider how they can improve their design based on the feedback received. Assess their ability to critically evaluate their work and incorporate feedback to enhance their product.

For KS2-1, KS2-2, KS2-3, KS2-4 - Technical Knowledge Application assign a specific technical challenge related to the prototype, such as adding mechanisms like gears, pulleys, or electrical components like switches and bulbs.
Instruct students to incorporate the assigned technical challenge into their prototype.

Reflect

30:00

Reflect on the projects, understanding of solar energy, and its conversion to usable energy.

As students progressed throughout this the lesson, they reflect on their learning with the following questions which can be discussed all together as a class or within each group. You can use the Student Journal asset as a helpful resource to capture ideas and process on the computer or printed ahead of time and distributed. This process includes assessing their own progress and identifies next steps to improve their project as progress into the next section Challenges.

Challenges

30:00

Expand and combine solar panel designs into larger, more complex configurations and make new solar and light-related designs.

Have students decide and research their chosen topic to gain a deeper understanding on a topic of interest related to the lesson. They can research online or choose one from the provided list of topics. After they engage the research phase and once students have a good grasp of their chosen topic, pick a challenge card at the end of section. The challenges are based on real-world problems. Guide students to think of potential solutions to incorporate into their prototype previously built. This may involve making design modifications or adding new features to address the challenge.

When approaching the Challenges section, this is an opportunity for groups collectively to research a topic of interest in searching on their own or start from a list of student-friendly resources online. When exploring a topic of interest, student groups will apply this knowledge to extend their projects. Student groups can work with little guidance as they engage the card randomizer and pick a challenge to continuously iterate on their project model design. There are open-ended ideas to further improve on the watermill model to continue the design process.

SDGs

Goal 7

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

Understand the disparities in energy access and its impact on communities. Begin with a reflective activity where students share their understanding of energy sources and their availability in different parts of the world. Encourage brainstorming of actions students can take to promote clean energy adoption, such as raising awareness, advocating for policy changes, or participating in energy-saving initiatives.

National Curriculum

KS2-1

Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups.

I can research and design a range of interesting, useful and appealing products that are aimed at certain people or groups.

KS2-2

Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design.

I can develop and communicate my ideas through discussion. I can develop and communicate my ideas through sketches. I can develop and communicate my ideas through diagrams. I can develop and communicate my ideas through models. I can develop and communicate my ideas through patterns. I can develop and communicate my ideas through computer-aided design.

KS2-1

Investigate and analyse a range of existing products.

I can explore products, say how good they are and explain how they could be better

KS2-2

Evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work.

I can explain how good my own product is, listen to the views of others and explain ways I could make it better.

KS2-3

Understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world.

I understand how key events and people in design and technology have helped shape the world.

KS2-1

Apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures.

I can build structures and explore how they can be made stronger, stiffer and steadier

KS2-2

Understand and use mechanical systems in their products [for example, gears, pulleys, cams, levers and linkages].

I can explore and use things like gears, pulleys, cams, levers and linkages in my product.

KS2-3

Understand and use electrical systems in their products [for example, series circuits incorporating switches, bulbs, buzzers and motors].

I understand and can use electrical systems, such as series circuits incorporating switches, bulbs, buzzers and motors in my product.

KS2-4

Apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products.

I can use computing to program, monitor and control my product.

KS2-1

Design, write and debug programs that accomplish specific goals, including controlling or simulating physical systems; solve problems by decomposing them into smaller parts.

Year 3 - I can design and create programs. Year 4- I can use simple selection in programs. Year 5- I can create programs by decomposing them into smaller parts. I can use selection in programs. Year 6- I can use a range of sequence, selection and repletion commands combined with variables as required to implement my design. I can create procedures to hide complexity in programs.

KS2-2

Use sequence, selection, and repetition in programs; work with variables and various forms of input and output.

Year 3 - I can write programs that accomplish specific goals. I can use repetition in programs. I can work with various forms of output. Year 4- I can work with various forms of output. Year 5- I can use conditions in repetition commands. I can work with variables. Year 6- I can identify and write generic code for use across multiple projects.

KS2-3

Use logical reasoning to explain how some simple algorithms work and to detect and correct errors in algorithms and programs.

Year 4- I can use logical reasoning to systematically detect and correct errors in programs. Year 5- I can create programs that control or simulate physical systems. I can evaluate my work and identify errors. Year 6- I can critically evaluate my work and suggest improvements. I can identify and use basic HTML tags.

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