the+cool+kids

//[[image:face.jpg width="293" height="272"]] Journal Assignment #1://
(A) Please create a page for your group (B) Post your initial thoughts about the project. Think about the idea of a solar car - "What issues would you face in designing a car powered by the sun?"

The first issue with building a solar car is being able to obtain enough sun light to power the car, next you would want to determine the best and most efficient way to use the solar energy to power the car. i think using solar energy will prove to be a more efficient method of powering things than refined oils or electricity. the solar car should prove to be an enjoyable, fun learning experience.

//**Journal Assignment #2:** //
(A) Post a response to the discussion thread based upon Brice's prompt. (B) Go to the K'Nex Solar Energy Kit site: http://www.knex.com/educational_toys/solar_energy_set.php and look over the kits that we will be ordering. (C) Research the Internet to find a relatively current article on either solar energy or solar cars. On your page post the link to the article and a summary of the article. Include how you think the article could help you with this project.
 * Due: Thursday September 25th**

NOTE: Be sure to look over the site that you choose to determine if it is legitimate. If you need assistance with this then ask Brice! You should be looking for articles from trusted publications. Steer clear of personal blogs, political opinions, editorials, etc.

where's a link to an about.com article on the history of solar cars. http://inventors.about.com/od/sstartinventions/a/Solar_Cars.htm The article is fairly brief about the history of using solar energy and how it was discovered, but also provides sever other links about the definition of solar energy, obtaining it and various other solar energy related topics. The article also mentions solar car racing, hopefully once we've built our solar cars we can race them too.

 Due: Friday, October 31st
(A) Answer the question - "How does your understanding of **//motion//** and **//forces//** pertain to this project?**//"//** (B) Kit Analysis: Open your kit and investigate the supplies. Open the bags and place all items into slots. (C) Using your kit: Build "The Spinner" from the Guide-Booklet then take it outside and test it.

(A) Motion and Forces are key factors in building a solar car. Motion will help determine the rate the car can move and how much light will be necessary to power the car. Force will help us to make the car move faster, and help if any problems arise.

=//Journal Assignment #4:// = (A) Respond to Discussion Topic #3 (B) Answer the question - "How does your current understanding about **//work//** and //**energy**// pertain to this project?" (C) Make a list of modification ideas that you have to the base model and notes about each. Put these in table format on your page (see Student Template). (D) Sketch out your current ideas about modifications to the base solar car model on a piece of plain computer paper. Brice will scan these in so they can be posted on your site.
 * Due: Wednesday, December 10th**

If energy can be stored in "batteries", then this opens new capabilities of the solar car concept. If you can take the energy a solar panel collects and you store it in some form, then you can use the energy you've stored later on when you have no method of getting energy, such as if you were using something solar powered in the dark or at night.

Our current understanding of work and energy will help determine the best way to efficiently power the solar car and think about how it works other than just moving forward.

MODIFICATIONS: -connect the front and rear wheels to make an all wheel drive car -add a second solar panel for extra power -add a second motor to the second wheels that are connected to the front through gears (the all wheel drive) to enable it even more power...hopefully.

Mid-Term Grade: 90/100
 * Comments**: Good Job overal, love the enthusias, for the project. Need a little more from you in response to the prompts of how you understand Physics to be working in the scope of the project

Brice