2nd

Topic:

Lesson #

Light Energy

Date:__________

Standard:
S2P2. Students will identify sources of energy and how the energy is used.
a. Identify sources of light energy, heat energy, and energy of motion.
b. Describe how light, heat, and motion energy are used.

Essential Question:
What are some different sources of light energy and how are they used?

Vocabulary:
Energy

light

Materials:
sun

solar

--Energy Sort PPT

--Powerful Sun Student recording sheet
--Pencils/clipboards if you want students to record outside
--Solar beads (3-5 per student)
--pipe cleaners (1 per student)
--1 Radiometer
--Solar balloon (1 required, 5 would be more fun!)

Instruction: MOST OF THIS LESSON REQUIRES A BRIGHT SUNNY DAY. IF ITS RAINY
OUTSIDE, CONSIDER BEGINNING WITH ONE OF THE OTHER ENERGY LESSONS.

1. Begin this unit by asking students to group the images in the Energy Sort. Dont tell them that they are studying energy
yet, but see if they can tell you how each of the groups are connected. Many of the images may fit into more than one
group- as you introduce energy, address the idea that some things use/produce more than one type of energy.
2. Today, students are going to focus on light energy- primarily energy from the sun. Ask students to help describe whats
the same/different about the images in the light category of their energy sort. Record student answers.
3. Lead/Introduce students to some amazing facts about the sun:
a. The sun is Earths greatest source of light.
b. The light from the sun (along with water and carbon dioxide) allow plants to create their own food. That energy is
then transferred to other animals when they eat the plants!
c. The sun provides both light and heat to the earth, and we have GOT to have the sun to survive!
You could also use this short song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-kzdR93bqw
There are 3 outdoor activities for this lesson. You may choose to do all or just some of them. Use the
Powerful Sun sheet for students to record their observations.
1. Solar Beads: BEFORE going outdoors, distribute 3-5 solar beads and a pipe cleaner to each student. If you keep your
classroom blinds drawn, the beads should be white while inside. Have students use the pipe cleaner to make a bead
bracelet so that they wont lose them outside. Ask students to make careful observations of the beads before and after
going outside. Discuss why they changed outside, but not inside. Ask students to think of a way to get them to change back
to white while outside.
2. Observe a Radiometer: Have students observe a class radiometer before and after going outside. Explain to them, in
simple terms, how a radiometer works. If you arent sure, you can use this video:
https://www.sophia.org/tutorials/bill-nye-demonstration-radiometer?playlist=teacher-page-demos
3. Solar Balloons: Have students observe a deflated solar balloon before going outside. Once outside, use one balloon as a
class demonstration. Inflate the balloon and observe how the suns energy carries it into the air. (be sure the balloon is
secured to an anchor string either held by someone or staked in the ground). Divide students into 4 or 5 groups and have
them inflate and explore using their own solar balloons. Here are a few examples of what that may be like. These balloons
are 50 feet. You may choose to purchase different sizes for groups to compare behavior of each balloon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FACk4qWOOOk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HTT9vNVFSU
Lab Safety Precautions:
Summarizer/Assessment:
Students should never look directly at the sun. Set movement
expectations when outdoors.
Collect student reflection sheet.
Classroom Teacher Connections:
Share Sun and Its Energy Classroom Teacher Resource PDF- text
Ask students to explain why the solar balloon
and more hands-on activities.
would float, but normal balloons sink to the
Teacher Notes:
ground.
The Solar Balloons would also be a great activity for studying heat
energy, but moving that to another lesson would mean that you
need 2 consecutive sunny class periods. Use your judgment if youd
like to change the activities!

Science Lab Lesson Plan