Solar Panel Cars

In this activity, participants will develop a solar panel vehicle that will move as fast as possible using materials from the LEGO EV3 Education Core Kit and Renewable Energy Add On Pack. Your overall challenge is to create a vehicle that will move faster during the 2nd run compared to the first run.

Participants will explore the concepts of:

• Scientific investigation
• Conversion and storage of energy
• Investigating and evaluating variables
• Informal and formal measuring of distance/time/speed/work
• Reading, predicting, and interpreting data

• Solo or Partner

00:00 - 00:20 - Overview of Challenge & Exploration of Resources

00:20 - 00:50 - Build Time

00:50 - 01:00 - Test Time #1

01:00 - 01:20 - Enhancement Build Time

01:20 - 01:30 Test Time #2

01:30 - 01:45 - Classroom Application

• One LEGO Mindstorms EV3 kit
• Renewable Energy Add On Kit
• Computer

See Student Handout

Your builds will be the examples!

• LEGO Education Website Lesson Plan
  • Introduction to the Renewable Energy Add-on Set
  • Curriculum Grid
  • Assessment – Observation Checklist
  • Student Self-Assessment
  • Solar Vehicle (Building Instructions)
  • Element Guide
  • What is Renewable Energy?
  • Glossary
  • LEGO® Element Survey
  • Recommended Light Bulbs
  • Energy Meter Guide
  • FAQ for Energy Meter
  • Student Handout

EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS

NGSS

Disciplinary Core Ideas: Physical Science

MS-PS3 Energy

Crosscutting Concepts

Cause and effect: Mechanism and explanation

Scale, proportion, and quantity

Systems and system models

Energy and matter: Flows, cycles, and conservation

Structure and Function

Stability and change

Science and Engineering Practices

Asking questions and Defining Problems

Developing and using models

Planning and carrying out investigations

Analyzing and interpreting data

Using mathematics, Informational and Computer Technology, and computational thinking

Constructing explanations and designing solutions

Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

Common Core State Standards English Language Arts

7.EE.B / 8.EE.C / SL 6-8.1 / SL 6-8.4 / RST 6-8.3 / RST 6-8.4 / RST 6-8.7 / WHST 6-8.1 / WHST 6-8.2 / WHST 6-8.4