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DIY Solar Lanterns While Aspiring Towards a ‘Purpose Driven Light’

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Session description

Participants construct personalized take-home solar lanterns with an eye towards a greater good. This is a “Build a Lantern, Give a Lantern” initiative: First, students assemble the components of a functional solar lantern while learning about its components. Second, students assemble more purposeful lanterns for those in disadvantaged communities.

Outline

1. How It Started/Where We’re Going: 15 minutes: Storytelling format, authentic and true to heart
- It Started Inside a Tour Bus: Witnessing poverty in South Africa 13 years ago and wanting to make a difference (video from 2011).
- Finding the Changemakers: searching for like minded designers and engineers willing to support the cause
Our First Outcomes: Instructional manuals, assembly videos, and assessments for the ‘educational’ solar lantern will be shared. Side note: a portion of the sales of the original solar lanterns were donated back towards providing photovoltaics to those in energy poverty.
- Our Next Outcome: Power it Forward: participants are introduced to the “Purpose Driven Light” movement; engineering solar lanterns specified to accommodate impoverished communities. This two tier lantern project creates a ‘make a lantern, give a lantern’ model that is both educational and humanitarian in nature.

2. Build a Lantern: 30 minutes: Hands on Creation Lab: Step by step instructions will be provided through a series of videos plus hands on demonstrations
- Safety: Soldering techniques and safety will be outlined and demonstrated
- Assembly: Participants will solder the photovoltaic panels, LEDs and battery packs onto the PCB onto a partially pre-assembled jar lid.
- Quality Check: if properly assembled, the lanterns should be self sufficient: charging the batteries by day but then automatically lighting the LEDs at night.
Customizing/Weatherproofing: time permitting, the lanterns are weatherproofed for outdoor use and decorated in order to put in ‘art’ side of STEAM.

3. Wrap Up and Extensions: 10 minutes: Participants are reminded that the ultimate intention of this future mission is for students to “Build a Lantern, Then Give a Lantern”. Future extensions include challenges such as engineering a sustainably self charging photovoltaic system that provides a certain duration and degree of light for a given location (of known peak sun hours) and a set budget.
- We also want to take a realistic look at a complex and global problem. What kind of outcomes do we hope to get out of this project? The degree of impact relies upon many factors, from the support of our stakeholders, the dedication of our project leaders, our collaboration with social support networks, and the complex needs of the marginalized communities themselves.

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Supporting research

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0973082619301966

https://acumen.org/blog/lighting-the-way-a-look-at-solar-energys-impact-on-poverty-alleviation/

https://www.rescue.org/sites/default/files/document/657/haitisolarlightsevaluationfinalreportcleared11102014.pdf

https://humanitarian.mit.edu/project/solar-lanterns-evaluation/

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Presenters

Pamela Ulicny

Retired Teacher: Biology and Env Science

Tri-Valley Jr/Sr High School

Session specifications

Topic:

Innovative Learning, Making and Fabrication.

TLP:

Yes

Grade level:

6-12

Audience:

Corporate, Curriculum Designer/Director, Teacher

Attendee devices:

Devices not needed

Participant accounts, software and other materials:

No software, apps, or accounts will be necessary to participate.

I will need access to a projector, screen, and speakers.

Subject area:

Interdisciplinary (STEM/STEAM), Science

ISTE Standards:

For Coaches:
Change Agent

Create a shared vision and culture for using technology to learn and accelerate transformation through the coaching process.

For Education Leaders:
Equity and Citizenship Advocate

Model the use of technology in inclusive, healthy ways to solve problems and strengthen community.

For Students:
Global Collaborator

Explore local and global issues and use collaborative technologies to work with others to investigate solutions.

TLPs:

Ensure Equity, Prioritize authentic experiences

Disclosure:

The submitter of this session has been supported by a company whose product is being included in the session

Influencer Disclosure:

This session includes a presenter that indicated a “material connection” to a brand that includes a personal, family or employment relationship, or a financial relationship. See individual speaker menu for disclosure information.

Related exhibitors:

KidWind Project,

WeAreTeachers,

Pitsco Education,

Cricut,

Learn to Solder Kits,

Lightbox Learning,

Maker Maven,

STEM Education Works,

STEMfinity,

Teaching Channel