Solar Surge Teacher Guide Solar Surge
Lesson Plan: 6th Grade Social Studies
Duration
45-50 Min
Objectives
• Analyze geographic factors influencing solar production.
• Evaluate economic and environmental trade-offs of land use.
• Propose a data-driven solution for energy infrastructure.
Materials
Solar Surge Slide Deck
Solaria City Maps
City Planner Proposal Sheets
"All About Solar Energy" Video
Key Vocabulary
Photosynthesis
Plant food-making process using sunlight.
Photovoltaic Cells
Devices converting light to electricity.
Renewable
Energy source that never runs out.
Infrastructure
Basic physical systems (power, roads).
1. Warm-up: Sunlight Mapping
5 MIN
Show the global solar radiation map (Slide 2). Students identify regions with "High Potential."
Discussion: Why wouldn't we build a massive solar farm in Northern Canada or Russia? Focus on geographic factors like latitude and climate.
2. Video: Solar Tech & Land Use
10 MIN
Watch the video. Use Slide 4 to pause and discuss specific timestamps:
0:29: Energy chain origins.
1:00: Energy conversion.
1:45: Pollution benefits.
2:00: Space & Weather.
3. Activity: City Planner Simulation
20 MIN
Distribute maps. Students work as City Planners to evaluate Zone A (Desert), B (Forest), and C (River).
Proposal Requirements:
• Explain geographic benefits (sun/terrain).
• Justify economic cost vs. location.
• Identify environmental impact or risks.
4. Debrief: The Cloud Crisis
10 MIN
The Extension Slide reveals a week of clouds. Groups brainstorm how to protect the city's economy from energy loss.
Solar Surge Presentation Slides Social Studies Grade 6
Solar Surge
Powering the world through geographic and economic choices.
City Planner Simulation
Warm-up: Global Potential
Europe
Africa / ME
South America
Australia
LOW ENERGY HIGH POTENTIAL
The sun hits the Earth differently depending on latitude and climate.
Discussion Task
Which continents have the best solar potential?
Why doesn't Northern Europe build as many solar farms?
Understanding Solar Energy
Embedded media
0:43 Electricity
1:22 Land Use
1:51 Trade-offs
Video Discussion Stops
0:29
Photosynthesis
"Where did the energy in your own lunch come from originally? Trace it back."
1:00
Energy Shift
"Describe the transformation: Light → Electrical → Light (in the bulb)."
1:45
Pollution
"Compare the smokestacks to the solar farm. Why is one better for the environment?"
2:00
Land & Clouds
"Solar panels take up a lot of space. Where should we put them so they don't bother nature?"
Mission: City Planner
Simulation Briefing
The city of Solaria is growing!
Shut down the old coal plant.
Build a new, clean Solar Farm.
Confidential
- Energy Demand: HIGH
TASK: Select the optimal site based on Geographic, Economic and Environmental constraints.
The Cloud Crisis!
It has been overcast in Solaria for 7 straight days. Your solar production has dropped by 80%.
Discussion Point
"What economic impact does this have? What geographic solutions could help (e.g., battery storage, energy sharing)?"
Solaria City Map Solaria City
Official Land-Use Survey Map
North Oriented
Zone A: Sun-Blasted Plains
Flat, open terrain. Highest solar radiation in the region. Low environmental protection status. 25 miles from city center.
$ - Lowest Land Cost
Zone B: Shadow Forest
Old-growth trees create significant shade. Protected habitat for local wildlife.
Constraint: Tree canopy blocks 70% of available sunlight.
Solaria Metro
Energy Demand: Critical
Zone C: Riverside
Fertile farmland. Moderate sun. High economic value for local agriculture.
Advantage: Direct access to existing transmission lines.
$$$ - High Cost
Main Power Grid Junction
Distance to Zone A: 30mi | Zone C: 2mi
Desert (High Sun)
Forest (Low Sun)
River (Farm Land)
Urban Center
City Planner Proposal Worksheet City Energy Proposal
Solaria Planning Commission | Project: Clean Surge
Chief Planner:
Filing Date:
Your Mission Choose the most effective location for the new Solaria Solar Farm. Use data from the video and the city map to justify your choice through geographic, economic, and environmental lenses.
1 Final Site Selection
Zone A
The Desert
Zone B
The Forest
Zone C
The River
2 Geographic Analysis
Explain how the natural features of this site (sun, terrain) support high energy production.
3 Economic & Infrastructure Analysis
Explain why this site is a smart financial investment (consider land cost and power lines).
The Cloud Crisis Reflection
If Solaria faces a 7-day cloud bank, your energy supply will crash. What is one geographic or economic solution to keep the city powered?
