My Solar Car Journal

By_____________________________

TECHNOLOGY CENTER

Watch brainpopjr.com solar energy video.Create a word document defining the following words:

1. Light energy ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Thermal (heat) energy ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Electrical energy ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Radiant (solar) energy______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Reflect______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Bend (refract)______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Absorb

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Use computers or books to answer the following questions: 1. List four objects that give off both light and heat.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. List at least three ways that heat can be produced._______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Explain in a few sentences how the Earth is dependent on the Sun’s energy._______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Watch “energy” lesson on thinkcentral.com.INVESTIGATION CENTER

Observe the materials provided. Label and sketch each piece.

THE PARTS SKETCH THE PARTS and explain their function

DC Motor

Solar Cell

Wheel

Cardboard Pad

Straw

Gear

Axel

Look at the materials. Draw a sketch of your solar car.

Where would you place the solar panel on your car? Why? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Measure the materials.

Material Mass (scale) Length (measuring tape)

DC Motor

Solar Cell

Wheel

Cardboard Pad

Straw

Gear

Axel

Build your solar car.

Test it outside.Would you modify your solar car now that you tested it? ______What would you change? Explain.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Draw your modified design.

Research of a Solar Artist:Create a word document of the following artist answering the following questions:

1. Who is Jordan Mang-osan? ______________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What is pyrography? ______________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Add an image of the artist and two of his favorite drawings.

4. Create your own solar art using solar paper and use it to design your solar car.

Test your solar car.

Solar Car Data TableTrials Distance Traveled Observations

(inches) 1

2

3

Standards SC.3.P.10.1 Identify some basic forms of energy such as light, heat, sound, electrical, and mechanical. SC.3.P.10.2 Recognize that energy has the ability to cause motion or create change. SC.3.N.1.5 Recognize that scientists question, discuss, and check each other’s' evidence and explanations. SC.3.P.10.3 Demonstrate that light travels in a straight line until it strikes an object or travels from one medium to another. SC.3.P.10.4 Demonstrate that light can be reflected, refracted, and absorbed.

SC.3.N.1.1 Raise questions about the natural world, investigate them individually and in teams through free exploration and systematic investigations, and generate appropriate explanations based on those explorations. SC.3.N.1.3 Keep records as appropriate, such as pictorial, written, or simple charts and graphs, of investigations conducted. SC.3.P.11.2 Investigate, observe, and explain that heat is produced when one object rubs against another, such as rubbing one’s hands together. Identify common materials that conduct heat well or poorly. SC.3.E.6.1 Demonstrate that radiant energy from the Sun can heat objects and when the Sun is not present, heat may be lost.G.K12.3.2 The student identified as gifted will be able to conduct thoughtful research/exploration in multiple fields.G.K12.5.3 The student identified as gifted will be able to assume leadership and participatory roles in both gifted and heterogeneous group learning situations.