Solar Water Heater:
Our first step was learning how solar angles work. We did this by creating a solar hot water heater, and our goal was to get as much heat energy transfer as possible
We used plastic tubing, soft copper tubing, a water bottle, Mylar foil, and cardboard to create this water heater. Our water heater was tilted at a 65 degree angle, because it will be perpendicular to the sun's rays resulting in more reflection. The outside panels were 45 degrees tilted to face the main panel. This was all focused on the copper tube that carries the water. |
Our initial Temperature was 18 degrees Celsius. We took the temperature every five minutes for 30 minutes, and by the end of the 30 minutes our water heater had raised the temperature to 28 degrees Celsius. Our final heat gain was 4,437 Jules.
Client Needs Survey:
In order to create a classroom people will use, we had to find out what the people wanted. So, we created a survey with questions asking things. For example one question was: what would you use this space for? This helped us a lot when deciding what our classroom was going to be like.
You can see our entire survey right here.
You can see our entire survey right here.
Material Heat Testing Lab:
Another step on creating our classroom was learning about what materials resist heat and which absorb it.
We tested materials like sand, gravel, plexi glass, redwood, and aluminum. We put the materials under a heat lamp for 30 minutes. Then we let the materials sit for 5 minutes with no lamp. After that, we stuck the items in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. If you would like to see the data click here. |
Building Design and Presentations:
One of our final steps were filled with blueprints and slideshows. The planning process was difficult, because we started from nothing. So, we had to create an entire space all on our own. We discussed what we wanted our site to look like, if we wanted a shade structure, and how will we make our seating arrangements. We started with our site selection. Once we decided to build it behind the art building, we started with our actual design. Our site was going to be functional and take into account the comfort needed for the space.
Our first step was our seating arrangements.
Our first step was our seating arrangements.
The seating arrangement is the picture shown at your right. It seats 36 people comfortably.
After the seating arrangements were done, we created blueprints for everything. The shade structure, benches, tables, box and the whiteboard all were made in blueprints.
Our final step was to try to "sell" our idea. We made a slideshow to convince our audience why our design should be made. It was difficult trying to create a selling point.
After the seating arrangements were done, we created blueprints for everything. The shade structure, benches, tables, box and the whiteboard all were made in blueprints.
Our final step was to try to "sell" our idea. We made a slideshow to convince our audience why our design should be made. It was difficult trying to create a selling point.
Wind Turbine Lab:
This section was learning about how wind transfers into actual energy
This picture shows our data for each type of wind turbine we designed. It shows our claim, evidence and reasoning. Each design had a different variable that led us to learn more about what works in wind turbines and what doesn't.
Content:
Atomic Structure: We learned a lot about atoms during this project. Although it was confusing, I can understand how atoms generate heat and get cool. When an atom gets hot it moves at an incredibly fast speed, and when an atom is "cool" it moves very slow.
Solar Angles:
Did you know that sun angles change throughout the year depending on what month it is? Well, the picture to your right shows how they change and what angle they are at. In the winter, the sun is at about 30 degrees in the sky. This is why we angled our water heater at 65 degrees to get a nearly perpendicular.
Specific Heat and How it's Transferred:
Heat comes in many forms like radiation, conduction, convection,and insulation.
Radiation is the release of energy as electromagnetic waves. Conduction is the process of heat being transferred by an object. Convection is the heat transfer through fluid motion. Insulation is maintaining heat by being wrapped.
Laws of Thermodynamics:
1st Law: Energy cannot be created or destroyed
2nd Law: Entropy will always increase
3rd Law: Nothing will ever reach actual zero
Solar Angles:
Did you know that sun angles change throughout the year depending on what month it is? Well, the picture to your right shows how they change and what angle they are at. In the winter, the sun is at about 30 degrees in the sky. This is why we angled our water heater at 65 degrees to get a nearly perpendicular.
Specific Heat and How it's Transferred:
Heat comes in many forms like radiation, conduction, convection,and insulation.
Radiation is the release of energy as electromagnetic waves. Conduction is the process of heat being transferred by an object. Convection is the heat transfer through fluid motion. Insulation is maintaining heat by being wrapped.
Laws of Thermodynamics:
1st Law: Energy cannot be created or destroyed
2nd Law: Entropy will always increase
3rd Law: Nothing will ever reach actual zero
Why We Should Use Less Energy:
Energy is a source that is vital for everyday life, but using less of it has many benefits. With our current energy use, we are using more energy than our world can sustain. With the use of renewable energy and less energy in general, we can help make our planet cleaner. Renewable energy rarely produces a negative byproduct unlike the nonrenewable sources. More information on this topic can be found in this document.
Reflection:
This project tested a lot of my skills. However, it was very informational. It gave me a lot of new information on all types of energy and how to convert it, create it, and use it. I also learned a lot on building and how to make structures. When I was learning about how to build the shade structure for the outdoor classroom, it surprised me on how much support I would need to build it. This project taught me a lot, and helped me understand many new things.
I feel like I did very well on this project. I practiced a lot of leadership through the several weeks. When we were drawing the blueprints, I directed on how some of them would look. Another thing I did well was being involved in my group. I tried my hardest to try to be less distracted, and keep working. However, I don't believe I managed time very well. I felt rushed towards the end of the project because I was afraid I wouldn't get it done in time. One other thing I don't feel as if I did as well on is cooperation. I feel as if I argued a lot for my ideas, instead of letting others put their thoughts in.
This was a lengthy project, but I am glad I could experience it. I got some great results and I am excited to learn more about these topics.
I feel like I did very well on this project. I practiced a lot of leadership through the several weeks. When we were drawing the blueprints, I directed on how some of them would look. Another thing I did well was being involved in my group. I tried my hardest to try to be less distracted, and keep working. However, I don't believe I managed time very well. I felt rushed towards the end of the project because I was afraid I wouldn't get it done in time. One other thing I don't feel as if I did as well on is cooperation. I feel as if I argued a lot for my ideas, instead of letting others put their thoughts in.
This was a lengthy project, but I am glad I could experience it. I got some great results and I am excited to learn more about these topics.