+
ward
'
s
science
Page 2
Safety
Safety When Using a Soldering Iron:
• A soldering iron can heat to around 400°C, which can burn you or start a fire, so use it carefully.
• Take great care to avoid touching the tip of the soldering iron to the power cord. If a power
cord is touched by a hot iron, there is a serious risk of burns and electric shock.
• Always return the soldering iron to its stand when it is not in use.
• The smoke that will form as you melt solder is mostly from the flux and can be quite irritating.
Avoid breathing it by keeping your head to the side of, not above, your work.
• •Solder contains lead, which is a poisonous metal. Wash your hands after using solder.
Soldering Tips:
• Heat the wire or the connection, not the solder.
• Hold the soldering iron like a pen, near the base of the handle.
• Keep your soldering iron tip clean by wiping it with a wet sponge
• Keep your tip from corroding by coating it with solder after you are finished and before you unplug the soldering iron.
Materials:
1. Solar LED Jar Light Kit from Wards, Item # 470118-648 (comes in packs of 12) – one per student
2. Required but not provided in the Solar LED Jar Light Kits:
• Wide mouthed jar (glass mason jar, peanut butter jar, mayonnaise jar) – encourage students to bring their own jar to 'upcycle'
• 25 watt soldering irons
• Solder and flux
• Hot Glue guns
• Drill (for drilling holes through the lid to lead the solar panel wires through to the circuit board/battery complex inside the jar)
• Silicon sealant for waterproofing and weatherproofing
Science Background:
Elementary level, middle school level, and high school level lab manuals are available upon request by
contacting the lantern kit's curriculum developer, Pam Ulicny, at psu@tvdawgs.net . Lab manuals at all
levels provide the basics on how solar power works, circuits, and calculating recharge times.
Sunshine in a Jar:
Do-It-Yourself Outdoor Garden Lanterns (continued)
