Bring on the lights! Using an interactive, characters try to figure out how to light a skate park by examining area and ratios to determine the number of solar panels needed to power them. Pupils design a house with a roof to hold solar panels and figure out how long it will take to charge the batteries needed to illuminate the park.

Concepts

area, area of rectangles, solar cells, solar energy, solar panels, batteries, ratios, equivalent ratios

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Additional Tags

math

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Instructional Ideas

• Borrow a solar cell from the science department and demonstrate how it will light a small light bulb

Classroom Considerations

• Each small group needs access to a computer
• The interactive requires individuals to have a free PBS account to record their answers
• Serves as one part of the larger Math at the Core: Ratios series
  

Pros

• Includes a way for pupils to record answers to questions as they work through the interactive
• Contains suggestions for the length of time for each part of the activity

Cons

• None

Common Core

6.RP.A.3.a 6.RP.A.3.d