You are to plan an investigation, research, or create a model of your understanding of solar energy.

Some ideas:
How can you use what you know about solar energy to make a home that stays cool in the desert?
How is solar energy used in your community?
What are some other designs for heat sinks that you can construct and test in a solar house?
What are some house designs in other cultures that use solar heating and/or insulation?
Construct a solar oven and cook something.
How would people have to change their homes and lives if solar energy were the only source of energy?
Design a solar powered devise that works, using photoelectric cells.
Construct a sundial.

You may come up with your own idea.

Decide what you want to do your project on this week and fill out these proposal questions on this site:
1. What question or project are you proposing?
2. What materials or references will you need to complete project?
3. What steps will you follow to complete the project?

What and where do you see solar technology being used for in Philadelphia?
What and where is it used for in US? In other countries?
What do you think is the future of solar technology?

The Sun 

I’m the center,
Of it all,
Big ol’ burning,
Bright gas ball...
Planets orbit,
Around my girth,
Saturn, Neptune,
Venus, Earth...
You couldn't live, 
You couldn't see...
Without my solar energy,
I’m the mother,
Of it all,
Summer, winter, spring, and fall,
It's my light,
That lets plants grow,
I’m the cause of rain and snow,
Because of me,
There’s night and day,
And my light,
Shows you the way...
I’m the Sun
A burning star,
Without my heat,
You won’t go far,
There’s no life,
Without my shine...
That’s why I burn,
All the time...

The following poem highlights the fact that the Sun is an important part of all life and the center of our solar system. However, we haven't always understood the role the Sun plays or how it all fits together. Watch the following video about two important individuals who changed the way we thought about how our solar system works. Respond to the video with any reactions and questions you have and what you think life would have been like for people who are questioning things about the world that everyone believes to be true. 

Learn about the history behind Earth Day and the progress we've made as a country since 1970 when the first Earth Day was held. Think about what still needs to be done and how we can help the environment.

Watch actual news footage from the very first Earth Day in 1970. While watching the footage think about how things have changed in the last 42 years since Earth Day was first created. When you are done watching the video write your reactions and ask questions that it raises for you. 

This video is also very interesting to think about. Watch the video, and then write about your thoughts and feeling about it. Why do you think I posted this video for Earth Day?

Cities near a coastline, like San Francisco and Seattle, have milder weather changes throughout the year compared to the inland citites, like Minneopolis and Kansas City. Use what you know about solar-energy transfer to explain this. 

Also remember to ask questions here if you have them!

In your own words explain "Why the Earth is heated unevenly?" Be sure to explain the uneven heating both for the ocean and the land. Include new science vocabulary from notes and readings.

The Sun:
What can we learn by studying the sun?
Why might it be important to find out more about the sun?
Share a question you have about the sun.
Share a story, song or poem about the sun