- View more resources from this publisherCentre for Science Education
- View more resources from this publisherEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) - UKRI
Solar Detectives
Solar Detectives, from the Centre for Science Education, is a set of teaching materials which offer a cross-curricular approach to learning about engineering. Students build and modify a model solar car and research the science and mathematics underlying the use of solar energy. They have the opportunity to communicate their findings in a variety of ways and look at how engineers and scientists need to be creative in their work using a range of skill and ideas.
Teachers' notes and the starter activity are included at the start of the file called Solar detective pack.
The Engineering a Better World 15-minute video shows students exploring this case study.
Starter activity
• Investigating solar energy
Technology
• Building a model solar car
• Modifying a model solar car
Science
• Developing solar energy
• Warning signs
Mathematics
• Comparing solar cars
Cross-curricular activities
• Energy from the Sun
* Solar variables
* Solar kettles
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Downloads
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Solar detectives - careers 123.34 KB
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Solar detective pack 1.09 MB
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Solar detectives - activities 727.95 KB
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Solar detectives - mathematics 487.07 KB
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Solar detectives - science 1.61 MB