The Low Carbon Partnership
Solar Power
QCA Unit: |
Sci-4F (Adapted) |
Subject: Science
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Name: |
Switching to solar electricity (Circuits and conductors) |
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About the Unit: |
Resource Name |
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| This unit builds on pupils’ previous practical experience of making circuits and extends their understanding of circuits, conductors and insulators and the need for a complete circuit in order for a device to work. Pupils are introduced to photovoltaic (PV) cells and how these can replace batteries in a circuit. Experimental and investigative work with circuits focuses on: •Using PV cells and finding out where they are most effective; •Incorporating switches. Work in this unit also offers opportunities for children to relate their knowledge about electricity to everyday contexts and to recognise: •That the use of electricity can result in production of increased carbon dioxide and that this causes global warming; •The need to reduce wasteful electricity consumption; •How to avoid hazards and risks to themselves. This unit could easily be taught effectively and efficiently alongside companion Geography and DT units. You will find 5 replacement lessons for this science unit that is taught at Year 4 (in some schools this is taught at Year 3). You will need to add on the current investigative lessons that you teach at the end of the unit, where the class experiments with different numbers of batteries and bulbs to make the bulbs brighter or dimmer. You can include the use of the PV cells in this investigative work. The 5th lesson on building a solar powered boat could fulfill some of these investigative requirements. |
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Where the Unit Fits In: |
Expectations
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| This unit is made up of some of the lessons from the Our Planet series on Solar Power for Lower Key Stage 2. If you are planning to teach the whole series of lessons, then you need not look at this document - it is specifically designed for those teachers wishing to simply teach the Science - electricity strand. Please note that if you are planning to teach the D & T or Geography unit alongside it, you will find some of the same lessons used because they cover two subjects (e.g. Science and Geography). In this case combine the 2 units and teach the lessons consecutively. Builds on Unit 2F ‘Using electricity’ Pupils need to: •know the names of devices commonly used in simple circuits •be able to name appliances at home and in school which use either mains electricity or batteries •understand that a device will not work unless there is a complete circuit. Links with Units 1D, 3C and 4C and design and technology. |
Most Children Will:construct simple circuits and use them to test whether materials are electrical conductors or insulators and how switches work; relate knowledge about metals and non-metals to their use in electrical appliances. They will know that much of the electricity we use results in the production of carbon dioxide and that PV cells don’t directly add to this. |
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Some children will not have made so much progress and will:construct a simple working circuit, and explain why some circuits work and othersdo not, as well as incorporating PV cells. |
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Some children will have progressed further and be able to:be able to devise more complex switches that can be used in a simple circuit and understand how different numbers of PV cells will affect how much electricity can be generated. Explain how they matched different components for a particular circuit and describe what may happen if the components are not matched. |
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| Working with electricity Lesson: KS2 Solar 2 |
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Lesson Objectives•To revise knowledge of electrical safety and know which devices are hazardous and which can be handled safely.•To identify the sources of mains electricity. •To revise circuits containing batteries and to introduce photovoltaic (PV) cells. |
Suggested Activities
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Learning OutcomePupils will be able to understand the difference between mains and battery power.They will be able to construct circuits using batteries, bulbs and buzzers. They will also be able to use solar panels to make a motor turn on a bright day. |
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| Where is the best place to use photovoltaic (PV) cells? Lesson: KS2 Solar 4a |
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Lesson Objectives•To devise a fair and appropriate investigation into where photovoltaic cells generate most electricity•To carry out the investigation and record evidence •To reflect and suggest improvements to the investigation based on the evidence collected •To know why solar energy can be used more effectively in some parts of the planet than others. |
Suggested Activities
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Learning OutcomePupils will understand that solar panels need light to work.They will be able to demonstrate this through an experiment. |
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| Electrical conductors and insulators Lesson: KS2 Solar 4b |
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Lesson Objectives•To use a basic electrical circuit to investigate which materials are electrical conductors and which are insulators.•To use results to draw conclusions about which materials allow electricity to pass through them and therefore conduct electricity •To become familiar with the terms conductor and insulator as part of a game. |
Suggested Activities
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Learning OutcomePupils will understand the differences between electrical conductors and insulators.They will be able to list examples of both. |
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| Switches Lesson: KS2 Solar 4c |
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Lesson Objectives•To know that metals are good conductors of electricity and are used for cables and wires.•To know that most other materials are not good conductors and that plastics are used to cover wires and as covers for plugs and switches. •That a switch can be used to make or break a circuit to turn electrical items on or off. •To design and make a simple switch and test it in a circuit. •That switching off appropriate appliances can save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. |
Suggested Activities
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Learning OutcomePupils will be able to construct a switch and use it in a circuit. |
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| Making a solar powered boat Lesson: KS2 Solar 4d |
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Lesson Objectives•To reinforce an understanding of simple electrical circuits.•To construct a moving model using materials appropriate for the task. •To use PV cells to demonstrate how solar energy can be used to make a model work. |
Suggested Activities
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Learning OutcomePupils will design and make a solar powered boat.They will make an electrical circuit using solal panels and a switch in their boat design. |
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