Wind and Solar Energy School/program name Date

Background Information (for facilitator) Wind Energy: As the sun heats Earth’s surface, it does so in an uneven way. Sunlight strikes the equatorial latitudes more directly than it does the polar latitudes, resulting in a higher concentration of energy per unit area. It also is absorbed and reflected at different rates, depending on the nature of the surface it strikes. This uneven heating results in areas of different pressure in the atmosphere, which causes wind. Humans have relied on wind energy for thousands of years— to help sail ships and grind grain, among other purposes. Modern wind turbines are used to convert the kinetic energy of the atmosphere and convert it into electrical energy, which can be transmitted via power lines or stored in batteries. Solar Energy: Solar energy consists of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun. Much of this energy is in the infrared, ultraviolet, and visible wavelengths. Although Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere block a large part of the sun’s radiation, enough solar energy strikes the US each day to supply all of our energy needs for approximately one and a half years! Solar energy is responsible for the existence of almost all life on Earth. As such, it is also the source of the energy stored in fossil fuels. Solar energy also gives rise to wind energy, and together with gravity, produces hydroelectric energy. Solar energy can be harnessed by humans in two main ways—passive solar energy collection, and active solar energy collection. Passive solar energy collection involves using structures, positions, and material properties to take advantage of the sun’s energy. Active solar energy collection generally involves using photovoltaic cells to convert solar radiation directly into an electric current.

Agenda Opening (30 minutes) Setting the Stage: The Power Of Wind (20 minutes) Cyber Investigation: 3M Wind Energy Virtual Lab? (25 minutes) Activity: Siemens Science Day: Blowin’ In The Wind (60 minutes) Break (15 minutes) Setting the Stage: The Power of the Sun (30 minutes) Lunch (30 minutes) Recess: Rainbow Tag (30 minutes) Activity: The Abundance of Solar Energy (20 minutes) STEM-tastic Careers (15 minutes) Engineering Challenge: Siemens Science Day Lab: You’re Getting Warmer… (60 minutes) Mind Snacks (15 minutes) STEM Camp Notebook Reflection (10 minutes) Wrap Up (5 minutes) Dive Into Digital Project (60 minutes)

Learning Objectives To demonstrate how wind turbines are used to generate electricity To relate the advantages and disadvantages of wind energy To differentiate between active and passive solar energy To relate the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy

Today’s Vocabulary Wind Energy Solar Energy Renewable Energy

Setting the Stage: The Power of Wind

What Are Fossil Fuels? Video: Wind Power

Cyber Investigation

Activity: Siemens Science Day: BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND

Setting the Stage: The Power of the Sun

How is Food related to Solar Energy? Video: Solar Power Video: Lights Has Energy

Activity: The Abundance of Solar Energy

Video: Measuring Solar Energy Video: Solar Power without the Sun What factors affect the abundance of solar energy?

STEMtastic Careers

Heather Dohan, Wind Scientist

What are some of the similarities and differences between the work that wind energy engineers do and the work that other types of engineers do? What types of skills must a wind engineer have? How does the work that wind engineers do impact society and the environment?

Engineering Challenge: Siemens Science Day Lab: YOU’RE GETTING WARMER…

Mind Snacks

Notebook Reflection Would the area in which you live be a good place for a wind farm? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using wind energy? What are some ways you can take advantage of passive solar energy in your home or school? What are some ways you can take advantage of active solar energy in your home or school?

Wrap Up

Think about this… What conditions are necessary for generating hydroelectric energy? What conditions are necessary for generating geothermal energy?