Background

Most of the electricity in Victoria comes from burning brown coal. Coal is a fossil fuel. Coal produces vast quantities of carbon dioxide which is contributing to the enhanced greenhouse effect and climate change. The answer lies in finding renewable sources of energy to provide us with clean electricity. One such source is solar power.

Prior Knowledge

No prior knowledge necessary.

This is a stand-alone activity

Key Learning Question

How can we best capture energy from the sun?

Learning Intentions

In this program students will:

• Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable sources of energy
• Investigate how solar panels generate electricity
• Investigate variables in the production of energy from solar power

Activities

Students will:

• Discuss the definition of fossil fuels and what renewable energy means
• Build a model solar house
• Test the house with varying light intensities, distances from the light source, direction of the light source and the impact of shading

Victorian Curriculum

Science – Science as a human endeavour

• Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to inform personal and community decisions and to solve problems that directly affect people’s lives (VCSSU073)

Science – Physical sciences

• Energy from a variety of sources can be used to generate electricity; electric circuits enable this energy to be transferred to another place and then to be transformed into another form of energy (VCSSU081)