Solar Power!
28th January 2022
As part of their Science and Topic lessons this term, Year 3 have been learning about inventors and inventions. This week they found out about Maria Telkes, or the ‘Sun Queen”, one of the pioneers of solar energy.
Born in 1900 in Hungary, Maria is famous for inventing the first solar powered house, together with architect Eleanor Raymond. She also invented a solar powered desalination machine…what a life saver!
Did you know 30% of the power used at Braeburn Nanyuki is from the sun’s energy? The panels sit right on top of Early Years classrooms. Year 3 learned that although solar energy is renewable, it can be very expensive to set up!
They had a taste of what it was like to harvest heat from the sun by making their very own solar ovens! They used cardboard boxes, foil, cling film, thin black cards and thermometers for this. They started off by cutting and making a flap at the top of their boxes which could be opened like an oven.
After cutting the boxes, they lined the inside part of the flap with foil. They used a thin black card and covered the inside of their oven. They had a challenge of making sure that they got the correct measurements to cover the whole surface of their boxes.
They then proceeded to cover the cut hole with a cling film which turned out to be harder than it looked. They had to be very careful to avoid creases from the cling film but ensured that they sealed the box completely. Afterwards, they poked a small hole on the side and fit in a thermometer which they would use to read the temperature inside the box.
Then came the fun bit! They took their boxes outside where there was enough sunlight and left it with the flap propped open to let light inside. They watched the temperature on the thermometer rise when the sun rays hit the foil. Through this, they learnt how energy from the sun can be harnessed for power using very simple devices.
