Two engineers installing solar panels
Solar-Powered Cars (Energy Conversion)
Grades 9-12
Solar power is something we now often see and hear about when it comes to clean, renewable energy. Now, scientists and engineers are working to develop solar-powered vehicles. How exactly does solar-powered technology work? We will explore the answer to that in this lesson.
Teacher's Guide and Related Standards
Students will explain how energy is converted from one form to another using solar-powered technology.
- How does solar technology work?
- How is energy converted from one form to another using solar power?
Motorweek Clip
- What kind of car is Toyota working to develop?
- What does the structure of this car look like?
- How many electric-only miles will this vehicle be able to run on, from solar energy?
Vocabulary
Supplemental Enrichment Activities
and Designing Solutions
How Does Solar Work?
Allow students to explore the resource to find multiple articles and information allowing them to better understand how solar power works. After reading, have students explain how energy is converted using solar-powered technology.
Energy Defined
In this video from NOVA's Energy Lab, students learn the basics of what energy is, how it is converted into other forms, and why we need new energy sources. Have students answer the following questions from the video:
- What is the standard definition of energy?
- What are the differences between chemical, potential, and kinetic energy?
- What are examples of energy conversions mentioned in the video?
Forms of Energy
Have students develop a graphic organizer to understand the various forms of energy mentioned in the resource. Instruct them to add examples and images next to each form of energy within their graphic organizers.