In our Engineering class at IMSA, we have taught an Alternative Energy unit over the last four semesters. We will discuss how the 4 engineering NGSS standards are addressed through the various activities involved with this unit. We will also discuss how the unit has evolved over the last 2 years

Carlson, Mark

Clancy, Peter

English

Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy: DigitalCommons@IMSA

Alternative Energy March 4, 2016 ¨  Peter Clancy, Ph. D. ¨  Mark Carlson, Ph. D.  ¨  mcarlson@imsa.edu, 630-907-5975  ¨  pclancy@imsa.edu, 630-907-5986 Background ¨  IMSA offers an “Engineering” class—a one-semester, project-based class, in which students apply concepts and principles of science in constructing their projects. ¨  One of the projects traditionally required for all students was a wind turbine project.  Students optimized the design with the goal of producing maximum sustained power. Motivation ¨  Create an alternative energy module which could address global issues such as energy supply and demand, climate change, and CO2 emissions. ¨  Expand the wind-turbine project to an alternative energy project which addresses the four Engineering NGSS standards. ¨  Break project into two phases (alpha and beta) to show students how engineering projects are phased into process development and scale-up, with optimization occurring all along the way. NGSS Engineering Standards  HS-ETS1-1 (Analysis)  Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.  HS-ETS1-2 (Design)  Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.  HS-ETS1-3 (Evaluation)  Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.  HS-ETS1-4 (Modelling)   Use a computer simulation to model the impact of proposed solutions to a complex real-world problem with numerous criteria and constraints on interactions within and between systems relevant to the problem.  Benefits ¨  Students are exposed to: ¤ Wide variety of concepts (power vs energy, Ohm’s law, electromagnetic induction, galvanic cells, how solar panels work) ¤ Assessing environmental impact (CO2 emissions, ecological and community impacts, etc.) ¤ Test equipment (voltmeters, ammeters) ¤ 2 phase projects (alpha and beta) ¤ Written and oral reports Activities: Preliminary  Hydrogen tube/spectroscope Solar panels Magnet/coil generator (Not pictured: modelling exercise) Activities: Preliminary  Microbial fuel cells Galvanic cell Wind turbine Features ¨  Contextual discussions ¨  Rubric design for project evaluation ¨  A project with a world-wide impact Logistics ¨  Students divided into 6 groups of 3-4 students ¨  3 technologies available: wind; solar-electrical; microbial fuel cells (MFC)—2 groups per technology ¨  Time of project expanded from 2 weeks (for old wind unit) to 4-1/2 weeks.  Stations ¨  Modelling ¨  Solar panel ¨  Spectroscope with hydrogen tube ¨  Wind turbine ¨  Magnet/solenoid generator ¨  MFC ¨  Galvanic cell Performance Evaluation ¨  How should success be measured? ¤ Technologies have different capabilities. ¤ What would constitute a fair comparison? ¨  How should efficiency be defined? ¤ What is most valued? ¤ What are the real costs? Student Evaluation Criteria ¨  Example: ¤ Performance  25% ¤ Health and Safety  11% ¤ Nuisance and Aesthetics  11% ¤ Marketability & Global Impact  11% ¤ Reports (including innovation)  42% First 3 Semesters—Self Assessment ¨  What worked well ¤ Exploration stations ¤ Beta design and build ¤ Final report ¨  What didn’t work ¤ Alpha presentations and rubric development ¤ Alpha testing was an extended exploration—could use focusing questions developed by groups ¤ Microbial fuel cells are highly variable and produce very low energy 

Session E-3: Addressing NGSS Engineering Standards with an Alternative Energy Module

https://digitalcommons.imsa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1283&amp;context=proflearningday

Session E-3: Addressing NGSS Engineering Standards with an Alternative Energy Module

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