My students need poster board, masking tape, laminating film, aluminum foil, two solar ovens, and two Kinex solar energy kits to demonstrate how solar energy can be converted into electricity.
My students decide early on in my class that renewable energy is their future. They are challenged to educate each other and our school community about the benefits of alternative energy sources like solar and wind. When third graders realize that their efforts to learn and share their learning make a difference, they are empowered to become leaders that want to continue to have a positive impact on their community.
Energy education is part of the third grade science standards. Unfortunately, there is only one page in our book about the benefits of renewable energy. Students want to impact their community and host a Solar Fair, complete with a lunchtime solar oven demonstration. This would be the perfect activity to motivate our learning community to explore renewable energy. Using the Kinex kit to demonstrate solar to electricity transfer would round out the event. We need materials to advertise the event as well.
Our Solar Fair would be a culminating activity for a unit study on Solar Energy. Using curriculum from NEED (National Energy Education Development) and materials provided by this grant and previous donations, students will have the supplies necessary to build and demonstrate solar ovens, solar balloons, and a Kinex model run on solar power. They will design posters with essential information about solar energy. Each small group of students will be responsible for designing a carnival type activity that will educate the community about solar energy. Prizes for games will be solar beads participants can gather to make a necklace at the conclusion of their visit.
The planning, cooperative group work, problem solving and energy education will be an amazing experience for my students. When young people are empowered to create and share something meaningful with others, they are inspired to see how learning is real and necessary, and doesn't just result in a grade in my grade book.
Funding our Solar Fair lets others know that your company, or you as an individual or organization, value the efforts of children to lead us into a healthier world. Your efforts to fund our Solar Fair show my students that what they do is real and important. You will be recognized in all PSAs, news articles, and signs advertising our fair. You will make it possible for my students to do real work to aid in the fight against human induced climate change.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Bamberger and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
