Solar Power for Mars

Design a solar panel setup for a greenhouse on Mars

Day 1

Bell RingerOn a note card write an answer for these two questions:

1. What is technology?

2. What kinds of technology can you use to gather information?

2

Our Engineering Challenge

ODesign a method to maximize the amount of solar energy for powering a greenhouse on Mars.

3

The Mars Rover: Curiosity

4

Curiosity landingOShow this 2 minute NASA video of the

If the video does not play when you click on it, copy and paste the link below into the browser.

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/video/index.php?id=1103

5

Greenhouse on the Red Planet

6

Solar CellsA solar panel consists of many solar cells.

Testing Materials

8

multimeter

Solar cell

InstructionsOMeasure the power generated from the

solar panel at 10 angle intervals. ORecord this information on the Data

Collection Sheet. OWhen you collect the needed data,

graph the results on the Data Sheet.OKeep the flashlight in the same position

throughout the testing.

9

Angle (degrees)

Voltage (milli volts)

0

10

20

30

50

60

70

Data Collection Chart

Record your measurements next to the angles as you measure them.

Graph Your Resul

ts

Solar Power for Mars

Design a solar panel setup for a greenhouse on Mars

Day 2

Bell RingerBefore class begins, get a notecard and answer these two questions about your research in lesson 1:

1. What angles generated the most solar energy?

2. Why do we need to know this to design our solar panel?

13

14

Marketing PlanODevelop a marketing plan for convincing

the of the class that your solar panel is the best.

ODecide on your selling points.OPrepare a brief (2-3 minute) presentation. OMake your presentation short and to the

point.