Solar Car Challenge: Engineering Renewable Energy Vehicles
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Solar Car Challenge: Engineering Renewable Energy Vehicles

Grade 9ChemistryPhysicsScience8 days
The Solar Car Challenge is a project-based learning experience for 9th-grade students that integrates chemistry, physics, and engineering principles to design and build efficient solar-powered cars. Students explore energy transformations, the role of materials, and chemical principles affecting solar panel efficiency while addressing real-world challenges in green transportation. Through hands-on activities such as material investigation and solar car design, students enhance their understanding of renewable energy applications in transportation, culminating in a comprehensive proposal and reflection on their learning journey.
Solar EnergyEnergy TransformationMaterial ScienceChemical PrinciplesEngineering DesignRenewable EnergyTransportation
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design and build an efficient solar-powered car by understanding the energy transformations, material roles, and chemical principles involved, while evaluating the challenges and benefits of solar energy in transportation?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What are the energy transformations that occur in a solar-powered car?
  • How does solar energy get converted into mechanical energy to power a car?
  • What are the roles of different materials in building a solar-powered car?
  • How do chemical principles apply to the efficiency of solar panels used in cars?
  • What are the major challenges and benefits of using solar energy in transportation?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Understand and apply the principles of energy transformation in solar-powered vehicles.
  • Analyze the roles of various materials in the construction and efficiency of solar-powered cars.
  • Explore chemical principles that affect the efficiency of solar panels and energy storage.
  • Evaluate the challenges and benefits of implementing solar energy solutions in transportation.
  • Design, build, and test a solar-powered car, assessing its efficiency under different conditions.

Next Generation Science Standards

HS-PS3-3
Primary
Design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another form of energy.Reason: Building a solar-powered car involves designing and constructing a device that converts solar energy into mechanical energy, assessing its efficiency and constraints, thus aligning with this standard.
HS-PS3-5
Secondary
Develop and use a model of two objects interacting through electric or magnetic fields to illustrate the forces between objects and the changes in energy of the objects due to the interaction.Reason: Exploring the interaction of solar panels (electric field) with the car's mechanical system helps illustrate energy transformations, making it relevant to this standard.
HS-ETS1-2
Primary
Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.Reason: The project requires students to address real-world issues in green transportation by solving specific engineering problems related to energy efficiency and material use in solar-powered cars.
HS-PS1-6
Supporting
Refine the design of a chemical system by specifying a change in conditions that would produce increased amounts of products at equilibrium.Reason: Discussing chemical principles like those impacting solar panel efficiency necessitates understanding equilibrium and conditions affecting chemical systems.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.7
Secondary
Translate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text into visual form and translate information expressed visually or mathematically into words.Reason: Students will need to interpret technical information related to solar energy and battery efficiency, converting this knowledge into graphical or other forms for analysis.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Solar Car Mission Challenge

Introduce students to a live video feed showing a solar-powered car race happening in a distant location. Challenge them to design their own solar-powered car to compete in a local version of the race, combining principles from physics and chemistry to optimize for speed and efficiency. This event immediately brings relevance and urgency, sparking curiosity about solar energy applications in real competitions.

Energy Crisis Simulation

Simulate a scenario where students are tasked with solving a local community's energy crisis using solar technology. They are introduced to different scientific challenges through interactive tasks related to chemistry and physics, prompting them to investigate real-world applications of their project. This simulation makes the learning experience directly impactful, as students can draw parallels to global renewable energy challenges.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Material Investigation Lab

Students investigate different materials used in the construction of solar-powered cars, assessing their properties and suitability for improving car efficiency.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Identify materials commonly used in solar-powered cars and research their properties.
2. Conduct experiments to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of these materials in real-world scenarios.
3. Analyze results and discuss how the properties of these materials impact the car’s efficiency.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive report detailing the findings of the material properties and their impact on efficiency.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with HS-ETS1-2, applying engineering solutions to solve real-world problems.
Activity 2

Solar Car Design Challenge

Students apply their knowledge of physics, chemistry, and engineering to design a solar-powered car while evaluating real-world efficiency challenges.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Use previous knowledge of materials, energy transformation, and chemistry to brainstorm car design ideas.
2. Develop a prototype design using sketches, models, or CAD software.
3. Present the design to peers and gather feedback for improvement.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed design proposal for a solar-powered car, including design rationale, sketches, or CAD models.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with HS-ETS1-2 and HS-PS3-3, integrating engineering design processes and energy conversion principles.
Activity 3

Solar Chemistry Connect

This activity focuses on understanding the chemical principles behind solar panel efficiency, exploring topics such as equilibrium and conditions improving product formation.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Review basic chemical principles relevant to solar panel efficiency.
2. Discuss how equilibrium and other conditions affect solar panel performance.
3. Propose methods to optimize these conditions for better solar panel efficiency.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA strategic proposal document presenting optimization methods for solar panel efficiency based on chemical principles.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with HS-PS1-6, focusing on chemistry concepts relevant to the efficiency of solar panels.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Solar-Powered Car Project Evaluation

Category 1

Energy Transformation Understanding

Assesses the student's grasp of energy conversion processes exemplified in solar-powered vehicles, evaluating both theoretical understanding and practical application.
Criterion 1

Energy Transformation Explanation

Evaluates the student's ability to clearly describe the energy transformations taking place in a solar-powered car.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides a comprehensive explanation of energy transformations with detailed connections to principles of physics and real-world applications.

Proficient
3 Points

Describes energy transformations accurately with good application of physics concepts to a solar-powered car.

Developing
2 Points

Provides a basic explanation of energy transformations with some inaccuracies or missing connections.

Beginning
1 Points

Offers a limited or inaccurate explanation of energy transformations with minimal connection to relevant concepts.

Criterion 2

Application of Energy Principles

Measures the ability to apply knowledge of energy transformations to optimize the design of the solar-powered car.

Exemplary
4 Points

Innovatively applies energy principles to propose effective design optimizations with clear rationale and evidence.

Proficient
3 Points

Applies relevant energy principles to suggest logical design improvements supported by reasoning.

Developing
2 Points

Attempts to apply energy principles with partial relevance or effectiveness in design suggestions.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to apply energy principles to design; suggestions lack clarity or support.

Category 2

Material Science Exploration

Evaluates student engagement in the investigation of materials used in solar-powered cars, focusing on their properties and their influence on car performance.
Criterion 1

Material Properties Analysis

Assesses the student's ability to analyze and interpret material properties concerning efficiency.

Exemplary
4 Points

Conducts thorough analysis with strong interpretation of how material properties enhance car performance, supported by evidence.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides clear analysis of material properties with relevant connections to efficiency improvement.

Developing
2 Points

Offers basic analysis with limited interpretation or connection to material performance.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows minimal analysis or misinterpretation of material properties with few connections to efficiency.

Criterion 2

Experimental Methodology

Evaluates the approach to conducting experiments on materials and interpreting results.

Exemplary
4 Points

Designs and executes experiments with a high level of precision and interprets results accurately.

Proficient
3 Points

Designs and executes experiments effectively, with appropriate interpretation of most results.

Developing
2 Points

Demonstrates basic experimental setup and interpretation with some inaccuracies.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles with experiment design and result interpretation, showing significant errors.

Category 3

Chemical Principles Application

Assesses the understanding and application of chemical principles to enhance solar panel efficiency.
Criterion 1

Chemical Understanding

Measures the student's grasp of chemical concepts related to solar panel efficiency and equilibrium principles.

Exemplary
4 Points

Exhibits deep understanding of chemical principles with clear explanations of solar panel efficiency improvements.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates good understanding of chemical principles and applies them to solar panel efficiency.

Developing
2 Points

Shows basic understanding of chemical concepts with partial application to panel efficiency.

Beginning
1 Points

Displays limited understanding of chemical principles, with little application to efficiency.

Criterion 2

Optimization Proposal

Evaluates the student's ability to propose methods for optimizing chemical conditions in solar panels.

Exemplary
4 Points

Proposes innovative optimization strategies backed by detailed chemical analysis and research.

Proficient
3 Points

Suggests effective optimization methods with clear logic and scientific basis.

Developing
2 Points

Proposes basic optimization methods with limited rationale; lacks depth.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to propose feasible optimizations; shows weak scientific grounding.

Category 4

Design and Problem-Solving Skills

Measures the student's ability to design an innovative solar-powered car and solve related engineering and scientific challenges.
Criterion 1

Design Innovation

Evaluates the creativity and functionality of the student's car design, including their consideration of real-world challenges.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presents a highly creative and functional design with realistic solutions to complex challenges.

Proficient
3 Points

Designs a functional and creative car with solutions to most challenges addressed.

Developing
2 Points

Provides a basic design with some creative elements; solutions are partially effective.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles with creative and functional elements in the design; solutions are weak or missing.

Criterion 2

Problem-Solving Approach

Assesses the student's methodology in addressing design and scientific challenges faced during the project.

Exemplary
4 Points

Exhibits a highly effective problem-solving approach, utilizing comprehensive strategies and reflections.

Proficient
3 Points

Applies a logical and effective approach to problem-solving with reflective practice.

Developing
2 Points

Uses a basic problem-solving approach with limited reflection.

Beginning
1 Points

Demonstrates a minimal ability to address problems, with fragmented or unsuccessful strategies.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on how your understanding of energy transformations in solar-powered vehicles has evolved throughout this project. What key insights have you gained, and how do you think they will impact your future learning or career aspirations?

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Question 2

On a scale from 1 to 5, how confident do you feel in designing a solar-powered car after completing this project?

Scale
Required
Question 3

What were the most challenging aspects of this project, and how did you overcome them? Choose the option that best represents your experience.

Multiple choice
Optional
Options
Understanding energy transformations
Working with new materials
Applying chemical principles
Designing and testing the car
Question 4

Discuss the challenges and benefits of using solar energy in transportation as you observed in the project. How do your observations relate to global renewable energy issues?

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