Developing a Net-Zero Framework for the WPI Campus

Climate change is causing many people globally to consider their energy consumption and how it could be decreased. To achieve this goal, many buildings are being designed as net-zero energy by implementing various energy saving strategies. This project investigates this goal on the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) campus. Campus-[AD1] wide energy consumption was analyzed for developing baseline energy models. These models were created based on existing building plans, and energy analysis was conducted by implementing strategies and determining the energy savings across the WPI Quadrangle (Quad). From this analysis, recommendations were given for which strategies to implement at WPI, and a modular solar canopy was designed to be implemented across campus

Analyzing the Effectiveness of Remote Laboratories at WPI During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Our project explored how this pandemic has impacted laboratory classes at WPI. We aimed to understand and analyze student perceptions and faculty experiences of online labs. We grouped the classes into chemistry, physics, and engineering and investigated the ability to learn material, teamwork, focus, and motivation. Chemistry classes had a relatively positive response to these variables, specifically in learning material and teamwork. Physics classes also had a relatively positive response to all variables, specifically in learning material and focus. Engineering classes had a negative response to every variable. Our recommendation for WPI, if they use a phased reopening, would be to give preference to students in higher level classes to have opportunities for in-person labs