Exploring Green Energy

Exploring Green Energy

Maker Monday


Over the years, renewable energy trends have gained popularity and accessibility. All over the world people want to be cleaner for the earth. One way they do this by using low-cost, renewable power supplies. How many green energy sources can you name? 


Today, you will experiment with green energy by collecting the sun’s energy to roast a marshmallow for a s’more!


Step 1: Collect supplies you think you will need to create a solar oven. Make a list of all the supplies you will need? What insulators will be best to use in your design? Check out this experiment to see what is the best insulator for your oven.  

Step 2: Once you have a list of supplies you think you will need for your solar oven, ask an adult to help you collect the supplies around the house. Begin to draw a design for your oven.

Step 3: After the first draw, challenge yourself to draw a second design. Try to not use anything/ideas from your first design. Then combine the design from both brainstorms. 

Step 4: Begin to build your solar oven. Once you have built your prototype, head to a sunny place outside. Will the placement of your oven outside impact the effectiveness of the oven? 
Grab your graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows to test your design. 

Step 5: Do you need a redesign on your oven? Make one or two changes to your prototype and retest. How was the heat from the sun used to toast your s’more? Ask a family member to share your materials list, design and prototype on social media using #MakerMondayTN and #LearningInPlaceTN! 

Additional Resources:



*Special Resources from TVA

Wonder Wednesday


The sun is a mighty source of energy. It is the most abundant source of energy and it travels 90 million miles to the Earth in less that 10 minutes. One hour of sunlight is equivalent to one year's worth of energy for the planet. That’s a powerful source of energy! 


Today, you will explore how we can harvest solar energy to help power our world. 



Step 1: What is green energy? What is renewable energy and how does it work? Research more about different kinds of renewable energy here. 

Step 2: How does Solar Energy work? How is the biggest star in the solar system helping life on Earth? This video will explain solar energy. 

Step 3: What are Solar Panels? How can you take the sun’s energy and make electricity to power homes or even cars? Watch this video to learn about solar panels.

Step 4: Electricity and energy are provided in many ways and in many different parts of the world. Green Energy is becoming more common around the world to decrease emissions into the air. Check out Solar Panels Around the World. Some Solar Panels FLOAT!!!  

Step 5: Do you think your home needs a Solar Panel? Brainstorm a pitch to your parents on why you think your home needs a solar panel for energy. Ask a family member to share what you learned on social media using #WonderWednesdayTN and #LearningInPlaceTN!






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Future Friday

 
Some of the fastest growing careers are in green energy. Across the planet, researchers and engineers are looking to use renewable energy to make the planet “greener”. The field of green energy has created new jobs to fulfill the growing demand for clean energy. 

Today, you will delve into the different careers that stemmed from the growing field of green energy. 


Step 1: Green Energy is one of the fastest growing areas for jobs. Investigate the opportunities for employment in this field here.


Step 2: Using the Solar Career Map, which job can you see yourself doing in the future?   

Step 3: A fairly new job (2012) has been created because green energy requires special equipment. Investigate out how the need for these installers has grown and discover the requirements to become an installer. 

Step 4: Consider which careers interest you most? Are you more interested in the manufacturing (engineering), system design, project development or installation and operations of Solar panels? Choose one of the careers you’ve learned about and explore it further.

Step 5: Ask a family member or teacher to share something you learned about one of these careers and why you might be interested in that career field using #FutureFridayTN and #LearningInPlaceTN!





Additional Resources:


Connecting Globally - We at TSIN believe STEM connects us all and in an effort to enhance those connections, the Resources for March 2021 will be connected to the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals.

Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

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