Overview

Using the engineering design process, students will design, build, and improve a stand-alone solar powered pumping system to move water as quickly as possible between two containers. Students will use light-concentrating materials, shapes, and structures to maximize the collection of simulated solar energy. The energy will then be directed toward a solar cell that will power the system to move the water.

Supporting Science Investigations:

1. How Intense Are You? – Learn how light intensity changes as you move away from the source.
2. What’s the Point? – Explore how lenses can be used to manipulate light.
3. Shed Some Light – Use mirrors to reflect light and learn about focusing energy to a desired location.

Introduction Video

Challenge Content

EDC-03: Powered and Pumped Up Facilitation Guide (PDF)
EDC-03: Powered and Pumped Up Facilitator Presentation (PDF)

Next Generation Science Standards Addressed

Engineering Design

• MS–ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
• MS–ETS1–2. Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
• MS–ETS1–3. Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.
• MS–ETS1–4. Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved. 

Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation

• MS–PS4–2. Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.

Related NASA Content

Online Resources

• Future Flight: Solar Power – Build a solar-powered car that runs on sunlight.
  https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/solar_power_5-12.pdf
• NASA Glenn Solar Research – Learn about solar research happening at the NASA Glenn Research Center.
  https://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/portal/apps/pv/mobi/index.html
• In Situ Resource Utilization – Discover NASA’s plans to harness natural resources from exploration sites throughout the solar system.
  https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/analogs/isru/
• My NASA Data: Think GREEN – Utilizing Renewable Solar Energy – Use satellite data and graphing skills to determine a region’s greatest renewable energy potentials.
  https://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/lesson-plans/lesson-plans-middle-school-educators/?page_id=474?&passid=78
• NASA’s Journey to Mars – Visit the Journey to Mars homepage to learn about NASA’s efforts to accomplish its goal of sending humans to the Red Planet.
  https://www.nasa.gov/topics/journeytomars/index.html
• Solar Electric Propulsion – Read an overview and download a fact sheet on Solar Electric Propulsion, a spacecraft-propelling technology powered by photovoltaic cells.
  https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdm/sep/index.html

Informational Videos

• NASA Women’s History Month Profile, Karin Bozak – Glenn Research Center – Meet a NASA electrical engineer who works on NASA’s Solar Electric Propulsion project.
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqSQPoaw3mk
• Real World: Solar Power in Space – Learn how space technologies use solar power as an alternate energy supply.
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j6SmPmN7B8
• Real World: Solar Power on Earth – Learn how NASA-inspired technologies produce solar power here on Earth.
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm6RrQb5698
• Real World: STS–119 Brings More Power to the Space Station – Find out how STS–119 carried the giant arrays that now allow the station to house a crew of six.
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD5_fjSm0rs

Contact Information

Gerald Voltz
Education Program Specialist
gerald.w.voltz@nasa.gov
(216) 433-8817
 

Glenn Research Center – Office of STEM Engagement

Phone: (216) 433-6656
Email: GRC-Ed-Opportunities@nasa.gov