By Zhen “Tom” Yuan
Are you looking for projects to make students aware of sustainability or energy conservation? Or are you a parent who wishes to inspire your children’s passion for STEM? Here are three solar power projects to help middle-school students explore and develop a better understanding of energy. These resources are from or inspired by the National STEM Honor Society Resources section of our website for members.
1. SPARK Solar Educational Programs
SPARK provides schools with access to data from solar installations across the state and curriculums to study solar energy. To understand the mechanism of renewable energy systems, middle-school students will research and analyze the data from these solar installations. If your students are looking for scientific research or wish to study solar power in depth, the SPARK program offers an inclusive hands-on learning experience for middle schools to develop an educational understanding of renewable energy.
2. NEED Solar Kits
Not all middle schoolers are looking to become a researcher or pursue a solar power career. NEED (National Energy Education Development) provides a curriculum that focuses on helping students develop the awareness and necessary skills for energy education. NEED has designed some of the most fundamental projects to help students understand the principle of solar energy. Each component of the curriculum aims to help instructors and students collaboratively build an understanding of renewable energy. Learn more about NEED here.
The solar curriculum intends to introduce classroom-based activities. Students will learn that the sun’s energy produces another form of energy by crafting their own solar panels and projects. The curriculum kit includes a teacher guide and a class set of 30 student guides that help students and instructors successfully complete the assignments. There are numerous materials in the kit such as building a solar balloon, solar light bulbs, or experimenting with building a solar panel. With these kits, you can provide students with new ways of exploring solar energy and combine it with the lecture to consolidate their understanding.
3. Solar-powered Water Desalination
Building a solar-powered device can reduce our dependence on other energy sources and help save the Earth. You can help your students put theoretical knowledge into practice by turning seawater from the oceans into fresh water that is suitable for people to drink – using a solar desalination process. With the resources you have, you can divide students into small groups, where students will learn about collaborating with each other. The students will not only be given first-hand experience by crafting their own solar power device, but the project may inspire their interest in a growing STEM field.
4. Solar-Powered Model Car
If you are a parent who aims to improve your children’s interest in STEM, try to let them build something they have played with since their youth, such as building their first solar power car. To build their own solar-powered car, they would need to conduct research and apply classroom knowledge in practice to complete the project. The process of making their own solar power car can help children understand the true value of solar power and apply their interest to real use. This project only requires a few items such as solar panels, card bards, and wheels, which you can buy from retailers and are easy to install in a few days. Children can start to build independent thinking through such experiences and learn STEM from a new perspective.
Solar power projects emphasize the importance of practical and hands-on learning experiences for middle schoolers. At NSTEM, we offer “project-based learning programming” that provides middle schoolers with the ability to explore their own interest in the STEM field. It aims to improve classroom learning by offering our well-designed curriculum to middle school students to ignite long-term interest in STEM studies and their future endeavors.
Do you want more resources on the topic of solar power projects? NSTEM’s vast resources database provides thousands of STEM resources that are searchable by category, school level and state. This comprehensive library includes info on enrichment activities, curricula, internships, scholarships and more. Check out a free sampling here. Or get an NSTEM membership today to unlock the complete list.
Middle School is where students are transformed, entering as children and emerging as young adults. Project-based learning enrichment helps students connect the dots between STEM and real life, making math and science relevant for them, keeping them engaged and interested. With a meaningful middle school experience, students are far more likely to focus on STEM disciplines in high school and beyond. To start your 6-8, middle school chapter of the National STEM Honor Society, click here.
