Investigating Solar Challenge

Investigating Solar Challenge

Lesson 17 of 20 in this unit

  • Secondary
  • Year 7 - 8
  • Science
  • Environmental
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Sustainability
  • ...

Lesson summary

After thinking about a range of solar related questions, students design experiments to find out some principles about using solar energy. NB the experiments will works best on a sunny day.

Learning intentions:

Students will...

  • design experiments and collect data about solar energy
  • communicate effectively in fair and considered class-wide discussion on issues
  • demonstrate the ability to read, evaluate and interpret information about the issues.
  • communicate lessons from activity through art or literacy exercises (extension).

Lesson guides and printables

Lesson Plan
Student Worksheet

Lesson details

Curriculum mapping

Australian curriculum content descriptions:

Year 7 Science:

  • Collaboratively and individually plan and conduct a range of investigation types, including fieldwork and experiments, ensuring safety and ethical guidelines are followed (ACSIS125)
  • Summarise data, from students’ own investigations and secondary sources, and use scientific understanding to identify relationships and draw conclusions (ACSIS130)

Year 8 Science:

  • Collaboratively and individually plan and conduct a range of investigation types, including fieldwork and experiments, ensuring safety and ethical guidelines are followed (ACSIS140)
  • Summarise data, from students’ own investigations and secondary sources, and use scientific understanding to identify relationships and draw conclusions (ACSIS145) 

Syllabus Outcomes: SC4-5WS, SC4-6WS, SC4-7WS. 

Indoor or outdoor activity: Indoor/outdoor

Time required: 90 mins

Level of teacher scaffolding: Provide students with materials and opportunities to design experiments. Reinforce safe behavior while students are involved in experiments. Lead students in class discussion around solar energy.

Homework and extension opportunities: This activity has opportunities for homework or extension.

Resources Required

  • Provide students with materials and opportunities to design experiments.
  • Internet access
  • Art and writing materials

Safety: Students should not walk around with glass thermometers

Additional info

This is an original Cool.org lesson. Facts and figures in these lessons may have changed since this lesson was published. We always endeavour to update our resources in a timely manner, but if you see an error or issue in our resources please get in touch with us.

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