Solar Energy Education

What's the best way to spread the benefits of solar energy? Teach it your kids! The best thing about renewable energy is that it's a no polluting alternative energy source. Start by explaining the history of solar power, then progress to the mechanics. Incorporate fascinating science projects about renewable sources of energy in your solar energy education. When kids get hands on experience, they learn a lot better.

Historical Facts

Tell your kids how the sun's rays were used by the Greek mathematician Archimedes in 213 B.C. to save Sicily then called Syracuse, from a Roman invasion. He concentrated the rays of the sun onto hundreds of mirrors held at an angle. These mirrors were focused to point on Roman ships causing a blaze, which set the ships on fire. That's the first recorded instance of an ancient laser. Imagine that!

Don't forget about Edmond Becquerel in your solar energy education. In 1839, Becquerel noticed that electricity was produced when sunlight was absorbed into certain materials. That's the foundation of solar photovoltaic or the conversion of solar power into electricity. And you have solar water heaters because of Clarence Kemp who invented one in 1891 in Maryland, US. Did you know that a 32-gallon unit sold for only $25 at that time?

Solar Energy Science Projects

One of the best education techniques is to do a science project. Teach your students how to make a solar energy cell. Your class will require several easy to obtain materials such as sandpaper, copper flashing, plastic bottle, table salt, sheet metal shears and alligator clips. Get hold of a micro-ammeter from the science laboratory. Make sure the propane torches or Bunsen burners are available too. Instruct your class to sandpaper some of the copper flashing, then heat it over the Bunsen burner for half an hour until it's red hot. You'll see the copper turn black.

Leave the copper to cool, and then dowse it under running water. The black residue, called cupric oxide will flake off, leaving the red cuprous oxide on the metal sheet. Cut another piece of copper flashing about the same size as the heated one. Place both pieces inside the plastic bottle, bending them slightly.

Using the alligator clips, connect the cuprous oxide sheet to the negative terminal of the micro-ammeter and the clean sheet to the positive terminal. Your solar energy education has culminated with a solar cell that produces a charge on the micro-ammeter! Now, instruct your students to take the solar cell outside into the sunlight and watch the arrow on the micro-ammeter. It will suddenly jump to 50 MHz, indicating that the solar cell is functioning effectively. Neat, huh!

Solar energy is a great no polluting and cheap energy source. If you're thinking about switching to solar power, then let me tell you that you've made a wise decision. Let me help you learn more about solar energy and it's benefits at my site. You'll find everything you need to know about powering your home with solar & wind power. Just click on the link and you're away!

You can learn more about how to become an independent energy producer and increase you solar education at Renewable Sources of Energy visit us now!

Start taking positive action today towards your economy and planet and you will be amazed just how things can be improved and changed.

A. Arvizu

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=A._Arvizu

A. Arvizu