This month’s topic is going to be all about the world of Solar Energy. Solar Energy is a type of renewable energy. This means that no matter how much we use there will always be more of it. From powering a small TV to hopefully powering entire cities in the future. The opportunities are endless.

Solar Energy is the energy that we can obtain by harnessing the light and heat from the sun’s rays. This energy can be used for almost anything, from heating your home to powering a gaming system. Thanks to the help from the IEEE Power and Energy Society, we are able to bring you all of this information. So come and join Tryengineering as we are introduced to all the wonders of Solar Energy.

  • Watch the TryE Tuesday Solar Energy webinar with Babak Enayati of National Grid.
  • Want to know how to celebrate one of the earth’s number one energy sources? Then, join Tryengineering and learn all about Solar Week.
  • Join Bill Nye and Renewable Energy World as they explore solar panels and solar energy.
  • Learn the basics of solar energy and even take a quiz to discover how much you learned with Ducksters.
  • Parents join your kids and learn all about solar energy with the people at namastesolar.
  • Enjoy this video by Kids Learning Tube, where they teach you all about solar energy and how it works, through song.
  • Find out how we utilize solar energy to replace fossil fuels with Alliant Energy.

Image Source: solar panel (solar cell), solar energy panel photovoltaic cell, power production, photovoltaic module idea for clean energy production.  

Have fun and learn more about Solar Power by trying out some hands-on activities.

  • Have fun and learn about how and when solar panels are able to absorb sunlight with Tryengineering’s Solar Power lesson plan. 
  • Join Tryengineering to learn about how solar energy can heat or cool buildings with this fun lesson plan, Solar Structures.
  • Learn all about how solar panels absorb energy from the sun and distribute it to different machines with this fun Tryengineering lesson plan, Here Comes the Sun.
  • Explore all there is to know about solar energy with these individual lessons by Neok12.
  • Here is a list of easy to perform activities to help students learn about the concepts of solar energy created by Toms of Maine.
  • Try out these fun and easy to perform science experiments to learn about the fundamentals of solar energy with The Educators Spin On It site.
  • Red Tricycle shows us 7 experiments for students to learn the fundamental concepts of solar energy.

Be Inspired by hearing how your peers are making a difference in their communities and then try it yourself!

  • Read all about 13-year-old Aidan Dwyer who discovered different ways to increase the amount of solar energy we absorb in Inhabitat.
  • Meet another talented 13 year old named Yuan Summa who discovered a way to absorb even more types of solar light to bring in more power in Edutopia.
  • Learn all about an eighth grade class that designed an outdoor solar power classroom with Bham Now.
  • Come along and read all about these four high school students who all won the Throwing Solar Shade competition.
  • Discover how Western High School students are revving their engines getting ready for the Solar Car Challenge.
  • Read about how Belgium’s KU Leuven University team won the World Solar Challenge with their solar powered vehicle.

Have a different idea on how to make a positive difference in your community? Be creative! Then share with the TryEngineering family to inspire others to do the same.

Image Source: solar energy, Asian engineering working on roof checking and maintenance in solar power plant, solar power plant to innovation of green energy for life

  • Write down at least one new thing that you learned about Solar Power. 
  • Think about how to inspire others and make a difference in your community. 
  • Have you, a family member, or teacher share your work on Facebook or Twitter using #tryengineeringtuesday. We want to hear from you!
  • If you tried any of the activities, make sure you download your IEEE Power and Energy Society Badge. Collect them all and store them using this Badge collection tool.

Thank you to the IEEE Power and Energy Society for making this TryEngineering Tuesday possible!