Solar hot box
Grade Level: 5-6

Overview This lesson is designed to explore different aspects of solar energy. The students have already been exposed to various forms of alternate energy sources and the reasons for their use. The students will build a solar hot box in order to test various colors and materials to find the maximum temperature that can be reached.

Purpose The purpose of this lesson is to demonstrate to students through discovery that different colors and materials create various temperatures.

Objectives Students will be able to:
i. Review the basic needs for alternative energy sources.
ii. Identify at least three different materials that will produce maximum heat.
iii. Identify at least three different colors that will produce maximum heat.

iv. Solve a design problem for a solar hot box.

Resources/Materials
Shoe boxes
Different colored construction paper
Cellophane (different colors)
Aluminum foil
Thermometers

Large sheet of paper

Activities and Procedures This lesson will begin with a review of what alternate energy sources are. Each student will be required to brain storm as many energy sources as they can in a set time limit. At the end of the time limit the students will discuss which of the energy sources are used every day and which ones are alternative sources. Ask the students to discover for themselves why we consider some energy sources alternate and some not. Explain to the students that today they will experiment with solar heating to decide if all energy needs in a country can be met by solar energy.

The teacher should recall the activities carried out in Lesson 1-Solar energy experiment. That lesson can form a background to this lesson.

TEACHING PROCEDURE:
i. Experiment with colors to determine which colors will absorb or reflect heat. Use colored cellophane when they build their boxes.
ii. Experiment with materials to determine which materials will absorb or reflect heat. Use shoe boxes, foil, construction paper for the materials.
iii. Define what a solar hot box is.
iv. Define what a solar collector is.
v. Explain that a solar hot box differs from a solar collector only in the respect that the solar heat is collected and contained in the box is not purposely transferred. The heat from a solar collector is usually transferred from the collector by a heated air or water medium to another location.
vi. Students will build their own hot box using the colors and materials they choose. Students can work in pairs or alone to build their box and conduct the experiment.
vii. Explain that each hot box groups will go outside and complete a temperature experiment to determine the maximum temperature it will reach.
viii. Have each group set their experiment up with a thermometer on the inside.
ix. At one minute intervals have each group record the temperature of the hot box. Do this for ten (10) minutes. x. Bring the results into the classroom and record the temperatures for each group on the board.

xi. Ask the students which hot box achieved the highest temperature the fastest. Tying it all together When the students have decided which box worked the best and which one didn't work ask them to "brain storm" (brain storm means to make a list of the conditions outside that would help or hinder the solar heating process. Make a list on a large sheet of paper and hang it in the room.

Assessment For the next day ask the students to compose a paragraph addressing why solar energy might not be the answer to all the energy needs of their country.

Suggestions/Modifications
  • Students may research what kinds of solar energy are available and being used within their countries.
  • Students may do an assessment of long term and short term costs and benefits of different types of energy.
  • Students may build models or projects which utilize solar energy.
Author(s) John Sandru; Battle Mountain Junior High, Nevada