Investigating Passive Solar Heating Lab – Student

Summary

Students work through a two-part lab investigating passive solar heating by classifying real-world solar energy scenarios, then testing how hardwood, vinyl, carpet, and tile absorb and retain heat from sunlight. The handout includes a hypothesis section, data collection table, and analysis questions connecting lab results to energy-efficient building design. Works for a high school or upper middle school energy unit on solar energy or thermodynamics.