Solar Energy Classroom Investigation

Welcome to this Classroom Investigation Series unit about solar-generated electricity on public lands. From its three activities, students will learn how solar facilities generate electricity, the tradeoffs involved in large-scale solar facilities, and the interest groups that inform Bureau of Land Management (BLM) decisions about whether to approve new solar facilities.

This unit is designed for middle school students, but it can be adapted for the high school and upper elementary levels. The activities offer students speaking, data interpretation, and teaching roles as they progress through the unit. The activities engage students in using diverse cognitive skills, such as interpreting charts and tables, sorting through conflicting arguments, and weighing tradeoffs.