The Low Carbon Partnership
Solar Power
QCA Unit: |
SOLAR KS2 |
Subject:
|
Name: |
Summary of all solar power lessons for lower Key Stage 2 |
|
 |
|
|
About the Unit: |
Resource Name |
Resource Type |
| This document provides a 'medium term' summary of all the lessons in the Solar Power series for Lower Key Stage 2. Ideally, you will have time to teach all the lessons over a term, consecutively. This would cover work for Science, Design and Technology and Geography but you will need to ensure that the objectives fit over the current ones you are teaching. Although the plans aim to cover key criteria for these year groups, each school differs and it is the responsibility of the indivdual school to decide how they would like to use them. However, if you would rather teach a single 'unit' of work for Design and Technology, Geography or Science then you can select one of the shorter replacement units from the list that are linked to the current QCA units. Again, please check you are happy that the key objectives for your school are covered and if you are able to provide any feedback we will gratefully receive this through the website. |
||
|
|
|
Where the Unit Fits In: |
Expectations
|
|
| null |
Most Children Will:null |
|
Some children will not have made so much progress and will:null |
||
Some children will have progressed further and be able to:null |
||
|
|
| How we live affects our planet Lesson: KS2 Solar 1 |
|
Lesson Objectives•To begin to understand the terms ‘global warming’ and ‘climate change’.•To understand in simple terms, how climate change will affect wildlife, using the example of polar bears. •To think about positive ways we can act now to slow down climate change. •To understand that there are forms of energy production that don’t produce carbon dioxide – e.g. solar and wind power. |
Suggested Activities
|
Learning OutcomePupils will be able to explain the terms 'climate change' and 'global warming'.They will be able to understand how our actions affect other animals. |
|
null |
|
|
|
| Working with electricity Lesson: KS2 Solar 2 |
|
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
|
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. |
|
null |
|
|
|
| The Earth and the Sun Lesson: KS2 Solar 3 |
|
Lesson ObjectivesTo know that the Sun provides light on Earth and that the Earth moves around the Sun.To understand how shadows are made. To know that the shadows from the Sun change over the course of the day. To measure and locate the position of shadows in order to make a Sundial. To understand that (in the northern hemisphere) the Sun is in the southern part of the sky, so more of the Sun’s energy can be used by facing south. |
Suggested Activities
|
Learning OutcomePupils will understand how the position of the Earth and Sun affects the length of shadows.They will be able to use the Sun to make a shadow clock. |
|
null |
|
|
|
| Where is the best place to use photovoltaic (PV) cells? Lesson: KS2 Solar 4a |
|
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
|
Learning OutcomePupils will understand that solar panels need light to work.They will be able to demonstrate this through an experiment. |
|
null |
|
|
|
| Electrical conductors and insulators Lesson: KS2 Solar 4b |
|
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
|
Learning OutcomePupils will understand the differences between electrical conductors and insulators.They will be able to list examples of both. |
|
null |
|
|
|
| Switches Lesson: KS2 Solar 4c |
|
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
|
Learning OutcomePupils will be able to construct a switch and use it in a circuit. |
|
null |
|
|
|
| Making a solar powered boat Lesson: KS2 Solar 4d |
|
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
|
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. |
|
null |
|
|
|
| Collecting heat from the Sun Lesson: KS2 Solar 5a |
|
Lesson Objectives•To know that the Sun is a source of energy•That surfaces in different locations receive and retain different amounts of solar energy •That the sense of touch is not the most accurate way of judging temperature •To record information in a table |
Suggested Activities
|
Learning OutcomePupils will understand that different colours absorb or reflect the heat from the Sun.They will design and carry out an experiment to test this. |
|
null |
|
|
|
| Water heated by the Sun Lesson: KS2 Solar 5b |
|
Lesson Objectives•To know that a solar thermal collector can heat water without causing global warming.•To understand the basic principle of an alcohol filled thermometer and use it to make careful measurements of temperature. •To know that temperature is a measure of how hot or cold things are. •That something hot will cool down and something cold will warm up until it is the same temperature as its surroundings. •To investigate whether a dark coloured surface will absorb more solar energy than a light coloured surface. |
Suggested Activities
|
Learning OutcomePupils will understand that the Sun's energy can be used to heat water.They will be able to increase the heat of the water by using colour. |
|
null |
|
|
|
| Who can keep their water hottest? Lesson: KS2 Solar 5c |
|
Lesson Objectives•To know that insulation helps keep water warm.•To turn an idea about how to keep things warm into an investigation. •To plan a fair test deciding what to change, what to keep the same and what to measure. •To make careful measurements of temperature at regular time intervals. •To record results in a table and to use these to draw conclusions. •To know that some materials are good thermal insulators. |
Suggested Activities
|
Learning OutcomePupils will use their knowledge of insulation to compete with other groups to keep their water the hottest. |
|
null |
|
|
|
| Thermal insulators and conductors Lesson: KS2 Solar 5d |
|
Lesson Objectives•To know that in everyday life we do things that transfer heat energy.•To understand that some materials help the transfer of heat energy i.e. conductors. •To know that some materials hinder the transfer of heat energy i.e. insulators. •To know that we can often identify good thermal conductors and insulators by touch. •To know that solar thermal systems use both thermal conductors and insulators. |
Suggested Activities
|
Learning OutcomePupils understand what thermal insulators and conductors are and can explain their properties.They can list examples of each. |
|
null |
|
|
|
| Create solar hot water by making a solar thermal collector Lesson: KS2 Solar 5e |
|
Lesson Objectives•To use thermal conductors and insulators to make a simple solar thermal water heater.•To use a thermometer to measure the performance of the solar thermal collector. •To compare the performance of the collector with others and suggest modifications. •To know that solar energy can be a source of non polluting heat energy. |
Suggested Activities
|
Learning OutcomePupils use their knowledge of solar energy, thermal insulators and conductors to design and make a solar hot water heater. |
|
null |
|
