TITLE:      SOLAR HOT BOX

AUTHOR:  John Sandru; Battle Mountain Junior High, Nevada

GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT:  5-6     Solar Energy

OVERVIEW:
  This lesson is designed to explore  different aspects of solar energy.  The
students have already been exposed to various forms of alternate energy
sources and the reasons for their use.  The students will build a solar hot
box in order to test various colors and materials to find the maximum
temperature that can be reached.  

PURPOSE:
  The purpose of this lesson is to demonstrate to students through
discovery  that different colors and materials create various
temperatures.   

OBJECTIVES:
1.  The student will review the basic needs for alternative energy
    sources.

2.  The students will be able to identify at least three different
    materials that will produce maximum heat.

3.  The students will be able to identify at least three different
    colors that will produce maximum heat.

4.  The students will be able to solve a design problem for a solar hot box.

    CONTENT SEQUENCE:
    Teach basic alternative energy sources.
    Teach heat conductive and repelling materials.
    Teach heat conductive and repelling colors.
    Experiment with materials and colors for maximum heat.
    Teach designs for a solar hot box.

RESOURCES/MATERIAL:
  Shoe boxes
  different colored construction paper
  Cellophane different colors
  aluminum foil
  thermometers
  large sheet of paper


ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURE:

  This  lesson will begin with a review of what alternate energy sources 
are.  Each student will be required to brain storm as many energy sources 
as they can in a set time limit.  At the end of the time limit the students 
will discuss which of the energy sources are used every day and which 
ones are alternative sources.  Ask the students to discover for themselves 
why we consider some energy sources alternate and some not.

  Explain to the students that today they will experiment with solar 
heating to decide if all energy needs in the U.S. can be met by solar energy.


TEACHING PROCEDURE:


  1.   Experiment with colors to determine which colors will absorb or 
reflect heat.  Use colored cellophane when they build their boxes.


  2.  Experiment with materials to determine which materials will 
absorb or reflect heat.  Use shoe boxes, foil, construction paper for the 
materials. 


  3.  Define what a solar hot box is.


  4.  Define what a solar collector is.


  5.  Explain that a solar hot box differs from a solar collector only in the 
respect that the solar heat is collected and contained in the box is not 
purposely transferred.  The heat from a solar collector is usually 
transferred from the collector by a heated air or water medium to another 
location.

  6.  Students will build their own hot box using the colors and materials 
they choose.  Students can work in pairs or alone to build their box and 
conduct the experiment.


  7.  Explain that each hot box groups will go outside and complete a 
temperature experiment to determine the maximum temperature it will 
reach.


  8.  Have each group set their experiment up with a thermometer on the 
inside.


  9.  At one minute intervals have each group record the temperature of the 
hot box.  Do this for ten (10) minutes.


  10.  Bring the results into the classroom and record the temperatures for 
each group on the board.


  11.  Ask the students which hot box achieved the highest temperature the 
fastest.


CLOSURE:

  When the students have decided which box worked the best and which one 
didn't work ask them to brain storm conditions outside that would help or 
hinder the solar heating process.  Make a list on a large sheet of paper and 
hang it the room.


EVALUATION:

  For the next day ask the students to compose a paragraph addressing why 
solar energy might not be the answer to all the energy needs of the 
U.S.