 
Students build models and conduct
experiments to learn about wind, solar,
and hydropower.
In recent years, many countries have made it a priority to find
and implement alternative energy sources in order to decrease
dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels. This search has brought
many to the conclusion that harnessing the forces of nature may be
the wisest solution to this need for clean and renewable energy.
In this 10-day module, students learn about the issues surrounding
wind, solar and hydropower, including the benefits and drawbacks of
each and how they compare to fossil fuels. Using the Profi Eco Tech
Kit, students build and test models that are designed to harness
Earth’s natural forces to create energy. As they build the models and
study their real-world applications, they gain an understanding of the
nature of energy and electricity, the increasing need for alternative
energy sources, and the global impact of energy production. This
curriculum will accommodate 7- or 10-day class rotations.
Student Objectives
- Explain the Law of Conservation of Energy
- Explain the drawbacks of fossil fuel use
and dependence
- Illustrate how alternative energy sources
are a part of day-to-day life
- Build a model solar vehicle
- Test voltage using a multimeter
- Determine the speed of the solar vehicle
- Describe ways in which energy storage
can solve supply dilemmas
Interdisciplinary Relationships
- Environmental science
- Law/government
- Mathematics
- Reading
Technology Content Standards
- Characteristics and scope of technology
- Core concepts of technology
- Relationships among technologies and other fields of study
- Effects of technology on the environment
- Role of society in development and use of technology
- Influence of technology on history
- Attributes of design
- Engineering design
- Role of troubleshooting, research and development,
invention and innovation, and experimentation
in problem solving
- Apply the design process
- Use and maintain technological products and systems
- Assess the impact of products and systems
- Select and use energy and power technologies
- Select and use transportation technologies
Activity Listing
Activity 1: Introduction to Alternative Energy
Activity 2: Renewable Energy Video
Activity 3: Hydro-Power
Activity 4: Wind Power
Activity 5: Solar Power - Part I
Activity 6: Solar Power - Part II
Activity 7: Solar Power - Part III
Activity 8: Energy Storage - Part I
Activity 9: Energy Storage - Part II
Activity 10: Alternative Energy Design
Alternative Energy
Module Components
- Fischertechnik Profi Eco Tech Kit
- Renewable energy video
- Multimeter
- Lamp
- Stopwatch
- Set of miscellaneous supplies for use with activities
- Teacher’s Resource Manual, including setup
instructions, instructional strategies, management tips,
student competencies, answer keys, and suggestions
for assessment
- 2 Student Workstation Manuals, including background
information, complete step-by-step instructions, highquality,
black-and-white graphics, pre- and post-tests, and
extension exercises
*Extra copies of Workstation Manuals may only be purchased with a Module or Classroom Pack order. They cannot be purchased separately.
Note: 5-Station Classroom Pack includes 5 Workstation Manuals, 5 Profi Eco Tech Kits, 5 multimeters, 5 lamps, 5 stopwatches, 5 hair dryers, 1 renewable energy video, and
enough consumable supplies for 10 students (5 student teams of 2). 10-Station Classroom Pack includes 10 Workstation Manuals, 10 Profi Eco Tech Kits, 10 multimeters, 10
lamps, 10 stopwatches, 10 hair dryers, 1 renewable energy video, and enough consumable supplies for 20 students (10 student teams of 2). For an itemized list of materials,
please contact our customer service department at 800-243-2329.
Minimum System Requirements
No computer needed.
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