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 * COURSE PROJECT: TESTING THE SOLAR CAR **

Essential Question: "Are solar cars viable for personal transportation?" Guided Inquiry Question: "If I modify about the solar car can I (a) make it more efficient (b) make it run longer/farther (c) give it more power to get up hills, etc."

=Final Journal Assignment=

(A) Write a brief essay on how your knowledge of Physics pertains to the modeling of the solar car (just a few paragraphs) (B) Get your car into its final "racing" form and prepared for the trials. Your car will go through 2 trials (1) Drag-Race for top speed and (2) Uphill Race for power. (C) Post a picture of your final car.

=__Journal Assignment #7:__= (A) You should be getting your car to its final stage so make plans to get your car ready for its racing build. (Yes will eventually be racing your car to determine distance and speed) (B) In your journal explain how optics/mirrors can be used to enhance the power output of your car. Can you test a mirror setup?

=__Journal Assignment #6:__= (A) Read Pages 1-5 on the following site: [] (B) In your journal explain how your current understanding of electricity from the unit relates to the solar car project. (C) Your Kit contains a "capacitor" which acts similar to a battery in that it can store electrical charge that can be used later. Find a way to include the battery into your model if you have not already done so. Can you have both the battery and the cell connected at the same time? Can you find a way to test the battery outside? (D) Respond to Discussion #5

=__Journal Assignment #5:__= (A) Determine a method to find the speed (velocity) of your car and test it. Include your method and results in your journal. (B) Compare your results in part (A) to the base model. This may require you to build a base model car from on of the un-used kits. Record the base model and comparison in your journal. (C) Determine a method to find your car's power by running it uphill. Record your method and results in your journal. (D) Respond to Discussion #4

//**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?"
 * Due: Thursday September 25th**

This is what we did a few weeks back, so if you kept notes on what you talked about then you can copy them to your page.

=**// Journal Assignment #2: //**= Due: Thursday September 25th (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.

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.

= //Journal Assignment #3:// =

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.


 * First Grading Date: Monday, November 24th**

= //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**