Sustainability Project

Stephen Chitraroff, Murrieta Valley High School, Murrieta Valley Unified School District

Overview

Students will select an alternative energy source for home energy or for transportation energy. The project will be completed on a wiki where other students must review and answer questions.

• Objectives:
  • Expose students to a variety of alternative energy sources
  • Students will calculate the equipment needed for an average household
  • Students will explain the implications of incorporating such a technology into daily life
• Subjects: Fundamental Science, Physical Science/Architecture/Drafting
• Suggested Grade Level: Middle School to High School
• Time: 1-2 weeks
• Materials:
  • Internet for related activities
  • Computer
  • URL: http://pbworks.com

Preparation and Background

Overview and list of possible projects. Survey of alternative energy technologies presented during a lecture. Expose students to articles that discuss the technologies. Socratic Seminar to follow.

Procedure

1. Choose a topic area
2. Provide background and history of the technology
3. Provide a cost breakdown and equipment list to incorporate the technology into new/retrofit construction
4. Create a wiki project of text and images that teaches students about the technology

For Discussion

If you were awarded a grant of $75,000, which alternative home technology would you choose to build for a small 1 bedroom dwelling for yourself to occupy during your college/post-college years. Justify your answer and develop your plans.

Extensions

• Build a model of your research topic showing how the technology could be implemented in a home or automobile.
• visit a site that currently employs the technology

This program is funded by California utility customers and administered by Southern California Edison under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.