Heat up a activity on solar energy. The first of three parts in the Experimenting with Solar Heaters unit has scholars construct solar heaters. They then use them to heat up a container of water and calculate the amount of heat energy transfer that occurs.

Concepts

solar energy, heat transfer, heat energy, temperature, temperature changes, specific heat

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Instructional Ideas

• Have the class brainstorm ways in which they can improve their solar heaters
  

Classroom Considerations

• Pupils should have prior knowledge of energy transfer and transformation
• Activity requires a variety of materials; see resource for complete list
  

Pros

• Provides a printable direction sheet for solar heater construction
  
• Lists some possible extension questions
  

Cons

• None