R.O.B.O.T.S.Professional DevelopmentSummer 2008

Beth HarrisChristi Whitworth

Mike Castelaz

Today we will…• Review where we’ve been so far

• Learn about the Sun• Capture energy from the Sun

Where we’ve been

• Used a robotic radio telescope to detect hydrogen in the galaxy.

• Used a robotic optical telescope to image objects in the sky.

• Investigated the Moon and Mars.

Where we’re going

• Investigate our closest star, the Sun!

Unit 1: How the Sun Works

• Introduction to the Sun– Become familiar with solar vocabulary

– Investigate the colors of light from the Sun

– Measure the diameter of the Sun

Unit 1: How the Sun Works

• Solar Features– Use sunspots to measure the rotation of the Sun•Can use the Sunspotter and PARI solar telescopes

– Measure the diameter of sunspots•Similar to Moon crater activity with Image J

Unit 1: How the Sun Works

• Observing the Sun– DO NOT LOOK AT THE SUN!

– Build your own solar viewer•With found materials

•Be creative!

– Observing with the Sunspotter

Unit 1: How the Sun Works

• Using the Sun to Tell Time– Time in a Day

•Print graph paper at www.printfreegraphpaper.com/

– Sundial•Will be 1 hour behind - daylight savings

Unit 2: Energy from the Sun

• Heat Energy– Measure the Temperature of the Sun• Focus on good data collection

• Spreadsheet will do most calculations

– Solar Cooker• Experiment with other designs

• Allow at least 1 hour for cooking

Unit 2: Energy from the Sun

• Electric Energy– Solar Cells

•Inquiry activity with Robot Challenge

•Be VERY careful when removing from packaging

•If any kits do not work, call 800.334.5551 and use Order # XXXX for replacements