Solar Trackers & Kinetic Sculptures
A renewable-energy studio that fuses low-voltage electronics with kinetic sculpture. Students wire real solar cells, build a gear-driven sun-tracking arm that follows the light across a windowsill, and then design a light-refracting whirligig that spins entirely from harvested sunlight.
What students actually do.
Solar Cell Circuit Build
Wire a small photovoltaic cell to a motor and confirm output with a multimeter.
Sun-Tracker Gear Assembly
Snap together a 3-gear reduction that turns a paddle toward the brightest light source.
Kinetic Whirligig Design
Sketch and cut a mylar whirligig, then mount it on the tracker for reflected light patterns.
Energy Output Log
Record voltage under three lighting conditions and graph the results.
Full materials list.
- 1V / 200mA polycrystalline solar cell
- 3V hobby motor with propeller and paddle attachments
- Modular gear set (12T, 24T, 36T)
- Snap-lead alligator clip wire pack
- Multimeter with data-recording sheet
- Mylar reflective sheet and whirligig template
- Kraft base plate with pre-drilled mounts
- Facilitator guide with 3 session plans
NGSS & CCSS aligned.
By the last session, every student can:
Kids meet the real scientists behind the work.
Lonnie Johnson
Aerospace engineer, inventor of the Super Soaker, and a leading researcher in solid-state energy conversion.
From our workshop to classrooms nationwide.
Ready to bring Solar Trackers & Kinetic Sculptures to your classroom?
Individual kits ship the next business day. District quotes and grant documentation are prepared within 24 hours.