The Advanced Light Source held a workshop for local teachers in 1996. Hands-on classroom activities on electricity, magnets, and polarized light created for that workshop, and several other fact sheets about the ALS, are available below. These materials are in Portable Document Format (PDF) and require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and/or print them; go to Adobe's web site for easy instructions on how to download this free software...

The first three activities contained in the packet focus on the practical uses of solar energy. The activities deal with the heating of solids, liquids, and gases. The final activity investigates the transformation of light to electrical energy. And how different wavelengths and intensity can effect the transformation to electricity. The packet also contains a glossary...

R.E.A.C.T. Renewable Energy Activities Choices for Tomorrow Teachers Activity Guide for Middle Level Grades 6-8...

Students will learn how the solar cell changes light energy to electrical energy. Students will work in small groups and construct different solar panel configurations to see the differences and similarities in parallel and series circuits. Student will work with solar cells to see how panels can power loads with different voltage and current requirements. Students will be able to see applications of solar power as a renewable resource. Background information, assessment questions and extensions are provided along with supply sources...

Walks students through the process of building a model home while considering 11 parameters that influence energy use, such as building orientation, room configuration, building envelope, and energy systems (heating, cooling, lighting, etc.). Objectives The students will be able to: Use models to learn how to maximize the comfort-conditioning of a home. Observe, gather, and analyze data from the model simulations. Draw conclusions from the data...

No Fossils in This Fuel...

Students build a simple digester to generate a quantity of gas to burn. This demonstrates the small amount of technology needed to generate a renewable energy source. Biogas has been used in the past and is still used today as an energy source...

The first three activities contained in the packet focus on the practical uses of solar energy. The activities deal with the heating of solids, liquids, and gases. The final activity investigates the transformation of light to electrical energy. And how different wavelengths and intensity can effect the transformation to electricity. The packet also contains a glossary...

Students will learn how the solar cell changes light energy to electrical energy. Students will work in small groups and construct different solar panel configurations to see the differences and similarities in parallel and series circuits. Student will work with solar cells to see how panels can power loads with different voltage and current requirements. Students will be able to see applications of solar power as a renewable resource. Background information, assessment questions and extensions are provided along with supply sources...

NREL provides a variety of educational resources to help teachers and parents educate their kids about renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies, including hands-on projects and curriculum suggestions for elementary school, middle school, and high school students...