Teaching Physics with Sustainable Energies via Digital Technologies David Rosengrant Assistant...

Teaching Physics with Sustainable Energies via Digital Technologies

David Rosengrant

Assistant Professor of Physics Education

Matthew Laposata

Associate Professor of Environmental Science

Kennesaw State University

SACS-AAPT

October 23rd, 2010

College of Science and Mathematics

Goal of the Project• Main goal is to use “housing” as a vehicle

to increase interest science

• Promotes sustainability for a more engaged citizenry

• One stop shop for curricular materials on sustainable housing

• Provides “fundamental concepts” of science

College of Science and Mathematics

Target Audience• All branches of science can benefit from

the site

• Range of grades– Introductory College to Upper Elementary

• Can be used for students to learn material or teachers to refresh their knowledge

College of Science and Mathematics

Website• Coming next month!

• http://ihome21.kennesaw.edu

College of Science and Mathematics

What is on the site:• Science Content

• Curricular Activities

• Uses existing online resources– Environmental Science Activities for the 21st

Century (ESA21)– http://esa21.kennesaw.edu/

• Videos (partnership with howstuffworks.com and Horizon Fuel Cells)

College of Science and Mathematics

Main Modules• PV Cells / Solar Energy

• Insulation / Thermodynamics

• Water Conservation

• Earth Aquatic Systems

• Waters Unique Properties

College of Science and Mathematics

PV In-depth• Introduction• Early Ways to Harness Light – Mirrors and

Lenses– Magnifying glasses to focus light– Origin of Olympic Torch– Legendary Archimedes Death Ray

• Early Home Applications of Solar Power– Roman bath houses– Anasazi tribes

College of Science and Mathematics

PV In-depth - continued• Southern Exposure

• Solar Cookers

• Early Solar Cells– Becquerel & Photoelectric effect– Adams and Days’ Selenium Glass Tube– Fritt’s Selenium Wafer

• Photoelectric Effect

College of Science and Mathematics

PV In-depth - continued• Solar Cells in the 1950s

– Dawning of a new era– Hefty price tag– Sputnik

• N on P cells– How they work– Vanguard I– Papago Indian Reservation

College of Science and Mathematics

PV In-depth - continued• Early Solar Vehicles

– Solar Challenger– Gossamer Penguin– The Quiet Achiever

• Solar Furnaces

College of Science and Mathematics

PV In-depth - Final• Solar Power Plants

– Mirrors not cells– Solar One– Kramer Junction

• Electromagnetic Induction

College of Science and Mathematics

PV Activities• Online Lab for Electromagnetic Induction

– Utilizes Phet Simulations

• Video Lab of Lens/Mirrors– Utilities www.paer.rutgers.edu/pt3 physics

education websites

College of Science and Mathematics

PV Activities• Video Lab of Solar Cells

– Partnership with Horizon Fuel Cells to videotape some of their experiments to put on their instructional CD

College of Science and Mathematics

Outreach• Professional Development Workshops

– Worked with North West Georgia Math Science Partnership

• 30 8th grade teachers already• 45 6th grade teachers in January

• Classes at Kennesaw State University– Working with Pre-service teachers– Introductory science course

College of Science and Mathematics

More then Just Science• History

• World Politics

• World Cultures

• Economics

• Religion

College of Science and Mathematics

Future Work?• Virtual Solar House

• Virtual tours/lessons of current LEED certified Houses– Cadmus Construction

• Sustainable buildings– Schools– Sport Complexes

College of Science and Mathematics

Thank you to key groups:

College of Science and Mathematics

Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies

http://www.howstuffworks.com/