Solar Rollers Unleashed: Energizing STEM Education
Wednesday, Nov 01, 2023
The Solar Rollers Unleashed: Energizing STEM Education workshop is an engaging professional development experience designed to equip STEM educators with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to effectively teach the principles of solar energy and its transformation into electrical energy. This hands-on workshop serves as a platform for educators to explore how to integrate critical topics such as energy, power, and mechanical engineering into their classroom instruction, with a special focus on solar power and engineering design. The workshop kicks off with an introduction to Solar Rollers™ and the potential of solar energy in modern and future energy solutions. Participants delve into a variety of classroom-ready activities aimed at debunking sun misconceptions, understanding the world population's energy needs, addressing climate change, and exploring the economic benefits of solar energy. Following the discussion on solar energy, teachers will learn about electricity generation from light energy through photovoltaic (solar) cells. They will gain valuable insights into the solar power system and the economics of solar energy. Highlighting the hands-on nature of STEM learning, participants will undertake an Engineering Design Challenge, working in teams to build their Solar Rollers. This experience allows teachers to deepen their understanding of solar energy's practical applications and enhances their ability to guide students through similar projects. By offering a blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experiences, "Solar Rollers Unleashed: Energizing STEM Education" provides a comprehensive platform for teachers to elevate their STEM instruction with a focus on renewable energy and sustainability.