Intended End User: Teacher, Teacher Educator
Age Group: Lower Secondary; Upper Secondary
School Curriculum: Maths; Science; Social & Environment Science; Languages;Â Applied Science
Themes and Topics: Energy Use and Production; Collective Action; Environmental Change; Futures Thinking; Information & Knowledge; Pedagogy Approaches
Duration: Approximately 4 teaching hours
Type of Resource: Experiment, Lesson Plans
Keywords:Â Solar Panels, Equinox, Energy, Latitude, Sustainability
Languages: English, Greek
Description
Over 2,400 years ago, Eratosthenes measured Earth’s circumference using geometry, shadows, and observations. Today, students replicate this method by using solar panels to measure the Sun’s angle at noon, optimizing panel tilt for maximum solar efficiency. This activity combines geography, physics, and sustainability while fostering teamwork and critical thinking. Through data collection and analysis, participants explore Earth’s curvature, solar energy principles, and their practical applications.
The activity encourages critical thinking about renewable energy and human impact on Earth’s climate. Students use real-world tools like multimeters and collaborate to calculate results. This engaging experience supports the development of scientific literacy and environmental awareness.
How to use this resource
In this activity, the teacher begins by introducing students to Eratosthenes’ experiment, explaining how he measured the Earth’s circumference using shadows and geometry. Next, the teacher provides a brief overview of how solar panels work, focusing on how sunlight is converted into electrical energy.
In the following lesson, which should be scheduled during the equinox, students use a solar panel and a multimeter to measure the panel’s voltage and current. Through hands-on experimentation, they explore how different panel inclinations affect solar power output, discovering the relationship between solar angles, energy efficiency, and the Earth’s latitude.
The activity concludes with a reflection and discussion about the findings, supported by worksheets and a short assessment to consolidate learning.
The resources
You will find the Eratosthenes Goes Green experience here:
Learning Outcomes
- Apply a range of suitable tools and frameworks to promote student Sustainability Citizenship
- Collaboratively synthesise the knowledge, tools and frameworks to create educational materials and lessons plans adapted to their own local context
- Develop and apply assessment criteria to evaluate Sustainability Citizenship in students.
- Through workshop activities and communities of practice, build capacity and agency as Sustainability Citizenship educators and leaders.
Green Competencies
- Embracing Complexity in Sustainability: Systems Thinking; Critical Thinking; Problem Framing
- Envisioning Sustainable Futures: Adaptability; Exploratory Thinking
- Acting for Sustainability: Collective Action
Creative Commons
This resource has been created by Ellinogermaniki Agogi and has been shared to SYNAPSES Academy under written permission.
SDGs
