Hands-On Kits ‘Power’ Solar Education

Two new kits from REcharge Labs encourage students explore solar power by conducting hands-on experiments.

Educators looking to teach solar energy can now use hands-on kits to engage students. REcharge Labs has expanded its line of renewable energy kits to include two new activity sets that illustrate solar energy concepts.

Recommended for students in grades 2–12, the Solar Cork Boat kit demonstrates how solar energy can be harnessed to do work. Students will learn basic circuitry to connect a motor to the solar panel. Then, using a simple engineering design, they will build the paddles that propel the boat through water as far and fast as possible. The contents of the Solar Cork Boat include cork sheets, a geared motor, a waterproof solar motor and more.

The Solar Scavenger Hunt kit encourages students in grades 4–12 to explore and investigate which light sources create the most solar power. After testing various light sources, the students will measure solar power output and then analyze the variables that influence solar output, such as shade and temperature. The contents of the Solar Scavenger Hunt kit include a multimeter, solar panel, light bulbs and other materials.

The Solar Cork Boat and the Solar Scavenger Hunt are now available as individual kits and class packs, ranging in price from $27.00 to $135.00. Both are built for repeated use and are intended to last several school years.

Further information about the pricing is available on the REcharge Labs site.

About the Author

Sri Ravipati is Web producer for THE Journal and Campus Technology. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • horizontal stack of U.S. dollar bills breaking in half

    ED Abruptly Cancels ESSER Funding Extensions

    The Department of Education has moved to close the door on COVID relief funding for schools, declaring that "extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion."

  • illustration of a human head with a glowing neural network in the brain, connected to tech icons on a cool blue-gray background

    Meta Introduces Stand-Alone AI App

    Meta Platforms has launched a stand-alone artificial intelligence app built on its proprietary Llama 4 model, intensifying the competitive race in generative AI alongside OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and xAI.

  • The AI Show

    Register for Free to Attend the World's Greatest Show for All Things AI in EDU

    The AI Show @ ASU+GSV, held April 5–7, 2025, at the San Diego Convention Center, is a free event designed to help educators, students, and parents navigate AI's role in education. Featuring hands-on workshops, AI-powered networking, live demos from 125+ EdTech exhibitors, and keynote speakers like Colin Kaepernick and Stevie Van Zandt, the event offers practical insights into AI-driven teaching, learning, and career opportunities. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to integrate AI into classrooms while exploring innovations that promote equity, accessibility, and student success.

  • robot waving

    Copilot Updates Aim to Personalize AI

    Microsoft has introduced a range of updates to its Copilot platform, marking a new phase in its effort to deliver what it calls a "true AI companion" that adapts to individual users' needs, preferences and routines.