CREEK - Classroom Renewable Energy Education Kit (with REEL Power Software)

This kit includes a solar panel, a DC light, music box, resistors, clip leads, a magnetic compass, protractor, a small motor-propeller, a rechargeable battery, and LEDs that can be interfaced to the Smart Meter-Data Logger. The Smart Meter-Data Logger measures and records all electrical data such as voltage, current, resistance, power and energy simultaneously.  The Smart Meter – Data Logger can be used as a stand-alone device or interfaced to a computer.  http://www.learnonline.com/creek.htm  12 lessons are included with this kit and available on line (http://www.learnonline.com/creek%20lessons.htm).  Note:  similar data logging can be performed with Vernier’s LabQuest devices.

Physics Solar Workshop

This kit contains 12 models and 30 experiments.  Students can learn how solar cells transform light into electrical energy, and how motors and mechanical devices can optimize the work done by this energy by building a solar-powered tractor, truck, treaded vehicle, car, elevator, drawbridge, fan, airplane, mobile crane or construction crane.  The kit comes with a 64-page book containing illustrated instructions. http://www.thamesandkosmos.com/products/psw/psw.html

Solar Energy Model Home/Kit

For demonstration purposes, a model home has been created that utilizes active solar energy to light a lightbulb and power a fan. It also shows how passive energy can be used to heat water. You are welome to borrow the completed model home for your classroom.  Alternatively, you can borrow a kit to build your own solar energy model home. http://www.solarmade.com/images/PV_HouseLG.jpg

Solar Irradiance Meter

The solar irradiance meter measures the sun's intensity in W/m² using a calibrated silicon pyranometer.  The meter has a range of 0 to 1999 W/m² and an accuracy of ± 5%. The device is useful for comparing solar insolation and solar panel performance . http://www.microcircuitlabs.com/SIM.htm

The Solar Pathfinder is a non-electronic device that allows you to diagram the monthly sunpath at a possible solar energy site.  It shows the percentage of solar energy that is potentially available at the site each month of the year.  The teaching demo is a short animation that demonstrates the use of the Solar Pathfinder.   It also includes some teaching files.  http://www.solarpathfinder.com/pdf/pathfinder-manual.pdf

Snap Circuits Green Alternative Energy Kit

Students can explore 129 alternative energy projects with this kit.  It includes snap wires, slide switches, an electrode, and a rechargeable battery which snap together easily on the plastic grid (no soldering required).  Students can use a hand crank, solar cell, or windmill to power a radio, clock, or other devices.  This kit is compatible with Snap Circuits SC-300 kit (to expand the types of possible projects), which is also available.  An education manual is included. http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-Snap-Circuits-Green-Alternative/dp/B002PLNSRY