Download to get the file

R.O.B.O.T.S.
Professional Development
Summer 2008
Beth Harris
Christi Whitworth
Mike Castelaz
Today we will…
• Review where we’ve been so far
• Learn about the Sun
• Capture energy from the Sun
Where we’ve been
• Used a robotic radio telescope to detect
hydrogen in the galaxy.
• Used a robotic optical telescope to
image objects in the sky.
• Investigated the Moon and Mars.
Where we’re going
• Investigate our closest star, the Sun!
Unit 1: How the Sun Works
• Introduction to the Sun
– Become familiar with solar vocabulary
– Investigate the colors of light from the Sun
– Measure the diameter of the Sun
Unit 1: How the Sun Works
• Solar Features
– Use sunspots to measure the rotation of
the Sun
• Can use the Sunspotter and PARI solar
telescopes
– Measure the diameter of sunspots
• Similar to Moon crater activity with Image J
Unit 1: How the Sun Works
• Observing the Sun
– DO NOT LOOK AT
THE SUN!
– Build your own solar
viewer
• With found materials
• Be creative!
– Observing with the
Sunspotter
Unit 1: How the Sun Works
• Using the Sun to Tell Time
– Time in a Day
• Print graph paper at
www.printfreegraphpaper.com/
– Sundial
• Will be 1 hour behind - daylight savings
Unit 2: Energy from the Sun
• Heat Energy
– Measure the Temperature
of the Sun
• Focus on good data collection
• Spreadsheet will do most
calculations
– Solar Cooker
• Experiment with other
designs
• Allow at least 1 hour for
cooking
Unit 2: Energy from the Sun
• Electric Energy
– Solar Cells
• Inquiry activity with Robot Challenge
• Be VERY careful when removing from
packaging
• If any kits do not work, call 800.334.5551 and
use Order # XXXX for replacements