Design a solar vehicle
Ask students:
List what you have learned about light and solar energy that would be helpful in designing a solar vehicle.
(e.g. best time of day or year to drive such a vehicle, solar panels need to be at a particular angle, there is still some energy even though it is cloudy, etc.)
What other factors would you need to include in thinking about a solar vehicle? Why would these factors be important? (e.g. materials to use to build the body, weight, size of the vehicle, shape (aerodynamics), other parts besides the solar cell array)
To get some ideas or to check their list, students can look at the specs in the Before Your Visit webpage or on the Solar Vehicle Team's website
Ask students to work in groups to develop a proposal for a solar vehicle complete with a sketch or scale drawing.
How does their vehicle compare with those built by the U of MN Solar Vehicle Team or by other teams in the World Solar Rally?
Look for photos of other cars in the Pictures listed on the left sidebar. There are photos of other vehicles on Days 8, 10 and 12.
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