Here comes the Sun

We’d like to purchase science kits that demonstrate the workings of clean energy technology on a miniature scale. The kits would include powering an electrical circuit by a solar panel or a wind turbine. This project would target all third, fourth, and fifth graders at our school which would be approximately 300 students. Science encourages curiosity, real world learning, collaboration, and research skills. All types of learners will thrive using hands on science kits to apply to their learning.
Science is not only an accumulation of facts, it also is a discipline with practices that help us to understand the natural world. Investigating, planning, and understanding are tools for lifelong learning. The steps of the scientific method gives the students a foundation of how to investigate. Students will have an opportunity to apply science and engineering principles using these alternative energy science kits. The expected student results will be for them to learn habits of mind for researching questions. Also, the learning will provide an interdisciplinary connection between science, math, and language arts. The book, The boy who harnessed the Wind, by William Kamkwamba, will ignite discussion when we begin researching renewable resources. The plan is to invite guest speakers to share real-world experiences. Having community involvement is important.
Instruction will follow the Project-Based Learning Model(PBL). Students will initially learn about all available energy resources, and about renewable vs. nonrenewable energy. They will have input into their learning and generate questions to be answered. After learning about the different types of energy, teams of students will create questions to answer and show learning with a final project. These will be displayed and shared in the hallways. Also, a website will share the process, and social media will be used to share learning.
The timeline for the alternative energy PBL will span over a quarter for the students in grades 3-5 . A rubric will be used for students to reflect on planning, research, and reflection. Hopefully, the learner will apply PBL skills to future learning experiences.
Finally, my plan is to also see if students will initiate a proposal for our school, using alternative energy resources, to share with our school board.
It is often said that we must take care of the Earth for our children. John F. Kennedy said, “The future promise of any nation can be directly measured by the present prospects of its youth”. I believe when we teach our students, they can teach us as well.