Card of the learning path

 
General topic of the learning path
 
The Photovoltaic Journey: Capturing the Sun
Specific name of the learning unit
 
Energy conversion in solar cells; from photons to electrons; physics of photovoltaic systems
Age of the target users

14-18 target
Requirements for the learner

Basic knowledge of physics (electromagnetic waves, energy, electric current and voltage), chemistry (atomic structure, electrons, chemical bonds), and introductory concepts of electricity and energy conversion.
Description of the learning unit The unit guides students and teachers through an interdisciplinary pathway integrating physics, chemistry, and technology to understand how solar energy is captured and converted into electrical energy through photovoltaic cells. Students will explore the journey of photons from sunlight to the generation of electric current, analyzing the layered structure of solar cells (P-N junction, semiconductors), the photovoltaic effect, and electron flow mechanisms.The use of digital and AR tools is intended to make otherwise invisible processes visible (photon absorption, electron-hole pair generation, electric field in the junction, current flow), clearly and progressively linking physical principles with technological applications for sustainable energy generation.
Subject: Parties involved Physics (Optics, Electromagnetism), Chemistry (Semiconductor materials), Technology (Photovoltaic engineering), Sustainability (Renewable energy)
Keywords Solar energy; Photovoltaic cell; Photons; Electrons; P-N junction; Semiconductors; Energy conversion; Electric current; Renewable energy; AR; Scene-based learning
Key qualifications, skills and knowledge that can be acquired
  • Reasoning & problem solving on energy conversion processes
  • Design thinking applied to sequential visualization of physical phenomena
  • Practical knowledge: photovoltaic effect, semiconductor physics, solar cell structure, electrical circuits
  • Digital/AR skills: 3D visualization of atomic-scale processes, interactive diagrams, scene navigation
Resources and didactic aids used AR platforms (e.g., Delightex Studio – Spaces, Marker), reliable web resources and educational videos on solar energy and photovoltaics, scientific articles and databases; diagrams and 3D models (solar cell layers, P-N junction, electron flow, photovoltaic systems) and textual overlays for key data.
Assessment criteria and evaluation Evaluation of knowledge (photon-to-electron-to-current sequence), skills (cause-effect relationships between photon absorption and electrical power generation), and competences (conscious use of AR tools, interdisciplinary integration between physics and sustainable energy technology).