3rd Grade Solar Science Project-Results,Testing Procedures,Videos

In my quest to make school fun we decided to test the power of the sun with some kool solar gadgets.  She said it was fun testing the different solar toys and the test results prove that the power of the sun is strongest...

This is her project for her class I did my best to remain impartial and only helped when necessary or for spelling assistance with the big words.

When I read: "This is your child’s education, not yours; let your child discover her own answers and keep your participation in her homework to a bare minimum".  I think I'm on the right track!

 Solar Car

Test Day 1: 9:20am

Weather Report

* 28°F FEELS LIKE 20° 45° HIGH 24° LOW Sunny Most recent high temperature much below average. Sunny Clear Wind: S at 9 mph Wind:WSW at 11 mph Wind:N at 6 mph

Humidity: 43% Humidity: 45% Humidity: 66% UV Index: 1 - Low UV Index: 2 - Low Today: Sunny. High around 45F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Tonight: Mainly clear skies. Low 24F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Pressure: 30.27 in Dew Point: 12° Visibility: 10.0 mi

• 1st test: 9:00 AM
• car on roof, and it worked but not real good. we tried it again on a table and it worked better than first time 9:20AM.
• 1st test too windy for windmill

• 2nd test 11:00 AM
• Car went faster
• 2nd Test too windy for windmill

• 3rd Test 1:00 PM
• A little bit slower
• we also learned that if we make a shadow the car will stop
• 3rd Test Too windy for windmill
• After doing the tests I think further testing should be done.  With a clock-stop watch.
• 4th Test 4:00 PM
• Move to Front Side of House in Light, Tested New Solar Wind Turbine.  Initial Test OK.

Test Day 2 10:00 AM

* 51°F FEELS LIKE 51° 51° HIGH 34° LOW Sunny Wind: S at 8 mph Wind: S at 11 mph Wind:SSW at 8 mph

Humidity: 44% Humidity: 55% Humidity: 88% UV Index: 2 - Low UV Index: 2 - Low Today: Sunny. High 51F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy. Low 34F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Pressure: 30.26 in Dew Point: 29° Visibility: 10.0 mi

    

• Too Windy For Windmill
• Car Test 10:00 am:
• Test Track Length 4 feet long or 48 inches
• 1st Run- 1.7 seconds
• 2nd Run-2.0
• 3rd Run-2.1
• 4th Run-2.2
• 5th Run-2.1
• 10.1 Total
• 2.02 seconds is average
• Average is sum of runs divided by number of runs
• we went 48 inches in 2.02=23.76 inches per second
• Test Procedure:
• we measure the length.
• we put paper over the car so the sun couldn't get to the car.
• Then we time the car to see how fast it goes .
• then we write it on a piece of paper.
• then we take  a video and put it on youtube
• Car Test 1:00pm
• 1st Run 1.7
• 2nd Run 1.2
• 3rd Run 1.2
• 4th Run 1.5
• 5th Run 1.7
• Total= 9.2
• Average=1.84

1. we were faster second time then first time because there was more sun.
2. we were talking about how the sun moves forward during the day  in the afternoon the sun it's brighter
3. in the morning  it's not really bright in the afternoons it's brighter than the morning is and what made the car go faster
4. when the suns closer it's more powerful- in afternoon than the morning.  I know that because we tested it and it went faster in the afternoon

1st Video 

2nd Video 

3rd Video


We have a few more tests to be done and will start building the Science Project Display Board.

I feel that by encouraging the next generation in the benefits of solar power is a win win for the planet.

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