Drawing tutorial of a basic solar car concept to help students visually communicate an engineered system. Solar car kits supplied by Kite Magic and competition run in conjunction with the NSW SISP Program.
Race the Sun – Sample Unit of Work
The following Unit of Work was developed as a collaboration with the STEM Industry School Partnerships (SISP) program and teachers from the Cessnock Academy of STEM Excellence. It is an 8 week cross-curriculum unit to be delivered one and half to two hours per week. The Unit of Work document is available below.
Syllabus focus: Science Technology and Engineering, English, Mathematics, Geography, Creative Arts, History, PDHPE
Summary of Unit
During the course of this project students will apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics principles within a historical context through a series of learning experiences where students will explore the development of the transportation industry. Students will be required to build a 3D map of Australia to model their proposed national transportation system powered by renewable energies. Students will also have the opportunity to build a prototype of the vehicles that could be used for their proposed solution.
At the end of this project students will participate in an in-school Mini Electric Vehicle Qualifier, where successful teams will compete in the Hunter Valley Mini Electric Vehicle competition.
Learning objectives
Students will:
- Observe the development of solar-powered vehicles in Australia and around the world through the film; Race the Sun.
- Explore solar energy by engaging in ‘play with purpose’ to build solar miniature solar-powered vehicles and machines.
- Discuss the place of solar energy in today’s industries with members of our local or wider community.
Downloads
Race the Sun - Unit of Work
In this activity, students will explore the concept of solar energy and its place in the development of the transportation industry in Australia and around the world. Students will engage in ‘Play with Purpose’ in order to explore the potential uses for solar-powered machines. Students will have the opportunity to engage with industry professionals and local community members invested in renewable energies. Play with Purpose uses experiential and constructivist learning with a focus on engaging, hands-on activities to learn skills and encourage creative problem solving; learning through play.
Solar Car Kit - Primary
Details of the primary Solar Car Kits for the SISP Mini Electric Vehicle Challenge. To purchase car kits, please contact Michael Richards from Kite Magic mobile 0411 357 894 email michael@kitesite.com.au
STEM Learning Activity: SISP Primary Solar Car Challenge
SISP Primary Solar Car Challenge Pursuit Solar Car Rules and Regulations
STELR Solar Car Challenge Booklet
This 2019 API STELR Solar Car Challenge manual is designed for STELR schools participating in the API STELR Solar Car Challenge. This should be read in conjunction with the Solar Car Student Instructions supplied with each Solar Car Kit. An additional support PowerPoint presentation and two videos showing how to construct the car and change the gears are available on the STELR website at: https://stelr.org.au/stelrmodules/solar-cars/
STELR Mathematics of gears workbook
This student workbook has been designed to be part of the STELR Solar Car project. It's purpose is for students to determine the most efficient gear combinations to make the solar car: a. Go faster, b. Go up a steeper hill, or c. Pull with more power?
Videos
This video was produced by Michael Richard (Kite Magic) to support the Race the Sun project. You will learn about how Solar Cells work in this SISP produced video.
This video was produced by Michael Richard (Kite Magic) to support the Race the Sun project. You will learn what makes up a circuit and how can we draw it, so we can communicate it with others.
Part 1: An introduction to the Solar Mini Electric Vehicle project developed for the SISP program.
Part 2 in the series developed for the SISP Solar Mini Electric Vehicle project which demonstrates how to attach the wheels and set up different gears.
Part 3 in the series developed for the SISP Solar Mini Electric Vehicle project, demonstrating how to wire the car up correctly.
Part 4 in the series developed for the SISP Solar Mini Electric Vehicle project, demonstrating the correct way to place the motor.
Part 5 in the series developed for the SISP Solar Mini Electric Vehicle project, demonstrating different variations and design ideas.
Drawing tutorial of a basic solar car concept to help students visually communicate an engineered system. Solar car kits supplied by Kite Magic and competition run in conjunction with the NSW SISP Program.
In this video Michael from Kite Magic looks at some experiments and ways to improve your solar car.
This video was produced by Michael Richard (Kite Magic) to support the SISP Mini Electric Vehicle project. The resource will explain why a gear ratios are important and why we use it.
This video was produced by Michael Richard (Kite Magic) to support the SISP Mini Electric Vehicle project. A motor is found in kids toys and laser cutters, this video will explore how it works and what else we can use them for.
This video was produced by Michael Richard (Kite Magic) to support the SISP Mini Electric Vehicle project. The resource will show you how to make a very simple DC Motor that will help you understand them better.
This video was produced by Michael Richard (Kite Magic) to support the SISP Mini Electric Vehicle project. You will explore what a multimeter will measure and how to use it.
Jared uses balloons to show us that a force is a push or pull. He also explains that the force of air is what makes a jet take-off.
Energy is an essential thing in our life, without energy nothing can happen. In this video, I will explain to you what the different types of energy are and how energy is used and transformed.
Links
The iSTEM Process
The iSTEM process was developed by the Cessnock Academy of STEM Excellence (CASE) as part of the STEM Industry School Partnerships (SISP) program. It provides consistent language across K-12 schools based on an industry-recognised engineering design process and scaffolds the understanding and application of design thinking.
Paper Circuit Template
Create a paper circuit that lights up an LED and is powered by a battery.
DIY Switch - https://www.instructables.com/id/how-to-make-a-homemade-ONOFF-switch/
DIY Battery Holder - https://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-AA-Battery-Holder/
