Design and Construct an Active Solar Collector
This activity will challenge students to design and construct an efficient active solar collector system. The collector will be exposed to a heat/light source (sun or heat lamp) for a specific period of time. Sensors placed in a storage container near the collector will monitor the temperature changes. The goal is to reach the highest possible temperature in the solar storage tank during a specific period of time.
The software will monitor and display the temperatures for the ambient (air) temperature as well as the collected temperature. The maximum temperature will be displayed as a real number on the computer screen.
Students will clearly see how effective their collector performs over a specific period of time.
Lab includes:
Recommended for Grades 6-10. Windows, USB.