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Learn about innovative strategies for adding even more value to solar-developed lands, such as growing food or planting pollinator-friendly habitats.

This project challenges students to use the engineering process to imagine, plan, and design a solar-powered invention. Students draw 2D sketches and 3D models of their designs using Tinkercad software. A scaffolded lesson plan is provided, complete with planning worksheets and an evaluation rubric. Skills: engineering, design, CAD software, geometry, geometric measurements.

Climate change is closely connected to renewable energy. NASA Climate Kids is a great resource for teaching about the big-picture of climate change and the factors that contribute to it. Search their lesson library at https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/ for “Make Sun S’mores” and “Calculating Solar Power in Space” for two great lessons that dig into the details of solar energy.

This inquiry-based lesson is a great introduction to the solar energy dashboard. Students first analyze graphs of solar production to form conclusions about seasonal and weather patterns, and then apply their understanding to make predictions about future production.

See how solar panels are installed on the roof of a large school building in this 3.5-minute timelapse video.

If you are a middle or high school teacher looking to launch a renewable energy project or course, this academy will set you up for success. The REcharge Academy is a week-long, in-person educator training workshop about renewable energy. Scholarships for teachers for enrollment and travel are available; contact us to see if you are eligible.

In this game, played similarly to “Go Fish,”students explore different types of renewable energy – including solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass – and survey roles of real people who work in those industries. Renewable energy is one of the fastest-growing job sectors, and that trend is only expected to increase in the coming years with the U.S. goal of achieving a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.

This is a good introduction to solar technology, including written text and a 2-minute video.

Solar Energy International is the industry go-to for solar workforce training, with both all-online and hands-on courses. PVOL101 is an on-demand, self-paced online course that is ideal for CTE teachers looking to gain a solid understanding of photovoltaics before teaching a course about solar. Contact Sun Tribe to see if scholarships are available for teacher tuition.

This curriculum unit is perfect for CTE; students will learn about solar resource evaluation, siting, and design using the technical tools commonly used in the field. In addition to a thorough Solar PV unit, the Center for Renewable Energy Advanced Technological Education also offers free unit plans for other energy-based units, such as Energy Efficiency and Energy Bill Analysis.

Each year KidWind runs statewide Solar and Wind challenges for grades 4-12. Students and teachers alike rave about this rich experience. Equipment and entry are free for participating clubs. No teacher expertise is necessary, as KidWind holds office hours for students and provides technical support for teachers.

Solar topics integrate beautifully with broader sustainability themes, such as the 7th U.N. Sustainability goal, "Affordable and Clean Energy". Visit this site for a wide range of captivating sustainability-related educational resources, including links to lessons about renewable energy through "The World's Largest Lesson."

In this fun, hands-on activity featuring CANDY(!) students choose between renewable and non-renewable energy sources to power their town. Common materials such as straws (extractors), M&Ms (non-renewable energy sources), and jellybeans (renewable energy sources) are used for the simulation. Teacher Tip: Search YouTube for "Candy Collector - Exploring Renewable & Nonrenewable" for a video demonstration of this lesson.

Project Wild offers an excellent student-centered, experiential K-12 curriculum about wildlife and the environment, including lessons about pollination and adaptations. Teachers who participate in this FREE professional development workshop receive the treasured Activity Guide - a compilation of excellent standards-aligned, low-prep lessons that are feasible in any setting.

This illustrated book spotlights diverse women working in STEM.

Through this hands-on activity, students apply principles of electricity and solar technology to design, build, and test on/off and dimmer switches. The introduction is intentionally low-instruction to encourage a student-led engineering design process, and multiple challenge levels ensure that all students can be successful. Equipment required; materials list included.

Doing is believing. Solar Schoolhouse offers hands-on, student-centered activities that demonstrate how solar energy can be harnessed and used. Ideal for elementary and middle school, projects include solar ovens (thermal), solar whirligigs (photovoltaic), and DIY solar panels (photovoltaic). All materials are available for purchase as classroom kits at the School Store tab.

This lesson, which includes a scavenger hunt, illuminates how ground-mounted solar can offer the double benefit of (1) generating clean, renewable energy and (2) creating a habitat for important pollinators.

NEED specializes in K-12 renewable energy curriculum and teacher professional development. Their site includes a huge library of standards-aligned lesson plans (free) and hands-on experiment kits (for purchase).

This 5-minute video reviews the adaptations of animals and plants that facilitate pollination.

This free self-paced online course covers the basics of electricity, conservation and efficiency, and renewable energy technologies. This course is perfect for teachers seeking professional development or motivated high school students.

This 4-minute video introduces the wide span of jobs in the renewable energy industry, including some less commonly featured technologies like wave energy.

In the first part of this lesson, students will explore different forms of energy and discuss how energy can be transformed. In the second part, they will apply their understanding as they build their own circuits using solar panels, motors, lights, and switches. Ideal for 5th grade, but applicable for grades 4-12. Equipment required; materials list included.

Virginia teachers can check out classroom sets of hands-on learning kits for free! The library includes experiment kits for solar and wind, NEED experiments, and energy-related books.

Children can follow along with the video recording to hear two solar-related stories and create a sun craft. Featured books: Solar Power Comes to My Home by Susie Flann and Sun Song by Jean Marzollo. Video by the Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program.

This interactive career map is a perfect way to introduce the breadth of job opportunities in the solar field. Students can explore job details of specific positions and a path to their ultimate career goals. Don’t miss the short videos from actual solar professionals on the "About the Industry" tab.

Energize your classroom with this fun escape-room activity! Teams of students will work together to unlock energy solutions for a newly discovered planet whose climate is similar to Earth's. Excellent as an introduction to -- or summary of -- energy and environmental impact, this one-hour lesson touches on themes of renewable energy, greenhouse gasses, and carbon dioxide emissions while encouraging problem-solving and collaboration.

The Energy Careers Excursion curriculum pack includes activities suitable for all ages. With activities like "Energy Industry Guess Who?" and "Soft Skills Soirée", students assess which types of energy jobs match their interests and skills.

This hands-on STEM education program links practical engineering skills with global humanitarian service as students build and share We Share Solar Suitcases with schools in energy-scarce regions of the world.

This quick, no-prep game is great as a warm-up or summary activity during a lesson or unit about solar energy. Similar to the game Heads Up, the goal is for students to guess each vocabulary term based on their partner's description.

A NABCEP certification makes a solar installer's resume shine, as it serves as a powerful signal of solar PV knowledge and training.

An OSHA safety certification makes candidates for solar field positions stand out.

This project leads students to learn about their schools' solar array, investigate the environmental benefits of solar, and create an infographic poster about solar at their school.

Women from across the world talk about their roles in the solar industry in this 4-minute video.

Switch is an award-winning documentary that explores all types of energy, from coal to solar, and examines our energy decisions. In addition to the free full-length film, Switch Classroom offers six free curriculum modules. The content is non-partisan and the modules are self-paced and asynchronous - ideal for a flipped classroom style or a substitute plan.

Resources for clean energy careers, such as career maps for many types of renewable energy (solar, wind, bioenergy, fuel cells, and more) are available on this website.

Part I surveys the career paths of three real-life solar professionals and the skills and certifications needed to get a job in solar. Part II is a guided, interactive exploration of solar careers. Students can complete all activities independently. (Did someone say "sub plan"?)

Explore the components of a roof-mounted and ground-mounted solar array through this interactive Google Slideshow.

Renewable energy jobs – such as Wind Turbine Service Technician and Solar Photovoltaic Installer – are some of the fastest-growing occupations in the country. Using this Occupational Handbook, students can explore the pay scales, responsibilities, and training requirements of a wide variety of renewable energy careers.