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Solar roadwaysEquipping the Next Generation for Active Engagement in Science

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Students willCritique claims, using reasoning, evidence and scientific knowledge

Scientific knowledge

Scientific practice

...of how light waves generate electricity in solar cells.

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SOLARROADWAYSFREAKIN’

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Science DecisionDilemma

Are solar roadways worth funding?

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Imagine a future with solar roadways. Always snow-free and perfect for cars, bikes and buses. Then, at the flick of a switch, a sports field appears… £2 million raised so far.

crowdfund.com

Donate now to make this happen.

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SS1-2

Dilemma Science

Identify 3 claimsStudy the evidence for each.Decide whether each claim is supported by evidence.

Will solar roadways do what the video claims?

Decision

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SS3

Dilemma Science Decision

State your overall decision.Use evidence about each claim to explain your decision.

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Reply to the video claims

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Student sheets

Solar freakin’ roadwaysSheet no. Title Notes

SS1 Claim 1: Sunlight can be converted to electricity

Reusable, cut up, one per pair

SS2 Claim 2: Solar cells keep roads ice free

andClaim 3: The electricity will power

LED road markings

Reusable, one per pair

Student sheets

Claim 1: Sunlight can be converted to electricity SS1

Match each step (A to E) to a diagram (V to Z). Put the steps (with their diagrams) in the correct

order.Y

X

Z

VLight waves transfer energy away from the Sun.

A

Light energy knocks charged particles, called electrons, out of silicon atoms.

B

An LED turns an electric current into light.

C

Light hits a solar cell, made of silicon.

D

Moving electrons make a flow of electricity – an electric current.

E

electron that has been knocked out of an atomsilicon atom

W

Student sheets

Claim 2: Solar cells keep roads ice-free

SS2

Study the diagram. Does the science make sense?

snow or ice

heating pad

road surface made of solar

cells

Claim 3: The electricity will power LED road markings

On a bright summer day 1000 W of light energy hits each one square metre (1 m2 ) of solar roadway.The solar panels transform 10% of the energy into useful electrical power.The road markings in a typical 1 m2 of road are made up of 40 LEDs. Each LED needs 0.5 W of electricity to light.

Light energy generates electricity which powers the heater that melts the snow.

For 1 m2 of road, calculate how much electrical power the solar

panels generate how much electrical power the LED

road markings need.

Sun

light waves

Will the LEDs light in daytime? What about at night?

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Get students talking and thinking

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Equipping the Next Generation for Active Engagement in Science