Highlights:
An intuitive, state-of-the-art kit that demonstrates how renewable energy is generated and consumed! Designed for both home and school use, this comprehensive and engaging curriculum gives young learners the tools to explore a key field in the future of our planet.
Through simple models that are quick to assemble and that incorporate valuable components such as a solar panel and voltage/current meter, kids can explore relevant and important concepts related to alternative energy and sustainable living. Models include a sleek electric car that can be powered by a battery or directly by solar energy, a model house with solar panel, buzzer, and light, and more. Test out the hand crank generator to get a feel for how traditional fossil fuel plants create power or capture the energy of the wind to power a windmill model.
A 32-page, full-color manual guides model building and explains what electricity is and how it’s generated, the difference between fossil fuel and green energy generation, wind and solar energy, batteries and electric vehicles, and voltage and current. Teachers and students can pair the easy-to-read digital meter that measures voltage and current with a micro:bit (sold separately) to collect data digitally, allowing users to investigate renewable energy like never before.
Main Features:
Project-based learning (PBL) that’s engaging, comprehensive, and NGSS-aligned for easy integration into at-home or classroom curricula
Visualize and experience different types of energy generation through hands-on models of real-life devices and machines
Sleek and easy-to-use modular building system allows pieces to be swapped, combined, and reconfigured in multiple ways
Large, durable, and strong plastic building pieces designed for long-term use and experimentation
Compatible with micro:bit for ease of digital data collection
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Curriculum or Lesson Topics:
Fundamentals of Electricity: What electricity is, how electrical charge works, and understanding the core differences between voltage (electrical potential) and current (flow of charge).
Energy Generation Systems: How power is generated, comparing traditional fossil fuel energy generation (demonstrated via hand-crank turbine concepts) against green/renewable energy.
Solar Energy & Photovoltaics: Capturing light energy to generate power, building circuit setups with solar panels, and testing energy output under varying conditions.
Wind Energy: Capturing wind power using a built-in windmill model and converting mechanical energy into usable electricity.
Batteries & Electric Vehicles: Principles of energy storage, battery mechanics, and power transfer in modern electric vehicles (using the kit's buildable electric car).
Digital Data Logging & Analysis: Reading analogue-to-digital metrics with the included voltage/current meter, along with optional digital data-logging and coding integration using a micro:bit.
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Standard Alignments:
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
MS-PS2-3: Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electric and magnetic forces.
HS-PS2-4: Use mathematical representations of Newton’s Law of Gravitation and Coulomb’s Law to describe and predict gravitational and electrostatic forces between objects.
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
1.3.d: Knowledge Constructor – Students build knowledge by actively exploring real-world issues and problems, developing ideas and theories, and pursuing answers and solutions.
1.4.d: Innovative Designer – Students exhibit a tolerance for ambiguity, perseverance, and the capacity to work with open-ended problems.
1.7.a & 1.7.c: Global Collaborator – Students use digital tools to broaden their perspectives and enrich their learning by collaborating effectively in teams.
Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy (STEL)
STEL-2O, 2P, 2U, 2W: Core concepts of technology and engineering, including systems, resources, and requirements.
STEL-4L, 4Q, 4S: Energy and power technologies, including conversion, storage, and conservation.
Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
Mathematics:
8.EE.C.7.a, b: Analyze and solve linear equations and pairs of simultaneous linear equations.
HSA.REI.A.2: Solve simple rational and radical equations in one variable.
English Language Arts (ELA / Literacy in Science):
RST.6-8.4, RST.9-10.4, RST.11-12.4: Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and domain-specific words and phrases as used in a specific scientific or technical context.
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What’s Included:
Electronic & Power Components
Solar Photovoltaic Panel: Converts light energy directly into electricity.
Digital Voltage/Current Meter: Displays real-time voltage and amperage readings; features connection points for micro:bit integration.
Hand-Crank Generator: Demonstrates manual power generation and mechanical turbine concepts.
Electric Motor & Circuit Parts: Drive systems for powering built models, including a buzzer and LED light modules.
Building & Structural System
Modular Plastic Building Pieces: Durable, reusable frames, gears, wheels, and structural connectors for reconfigurable assembly.
Model House Frame: Component base for mounting the solar panel, buzzer, and light.
Electric Car Build: Vehicle frame and wheel assemblies powered by battery or solar.
Windmill/Wind Turbine Parts: Fan blades and turbine housing.
Curriculum & Documentation
32-Page Full-Color Manual: Step-by-step assembly guides and explanations for 24 experiments.
Digital Curriculum Resources: Access to downloadable Scope & Sequence, sample Teacher Guides, and Student Workbooks.
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Technology Requirements/Specifications:
Required Hardware & Batteries
Batteries: Requires 3 AAA batteries (not included) to power the built-in digital voltage and current meter.
Optional Microcontroller & Digital Data Logging
micro:bit Board: The digital voltage/current meter has built-in connection points designed to interface with a BBC micro:bit microcontroller (sold separately).
Software & Coding Environment:
Programming a connected micro:bit typically uses the free Microsoft MakeCode for micro:bit platform (web-based) or Python.
No installed software is strictly required if using a web browser with WebUSB support (such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge).
Device Compatibility for Micro:bit:
Computers: Works with Windows, Mac, and Chromebooks via a standard USB connection.
Mobile/Tablets: Compatible with iOS and Android devices via Bluetooth using the free official micro:bit app.
(Note: The kit functions fully out of the box for standard visual analog/digital data measurement using its included digital display—a micro:bit is only needed if you want to perform advanced digital data logging or code custom logging scripts.)
