PowerPoint Presentation

Homing in on Energy Presenter: Jesus A. HernandezGregory-Portland HS

Mentor: Dr. Bella ChuDept. of Civil/Environmental Engineering

Dr. Kung-Hui ChuBiodegradation and bioremediation of priority pollutants and emerging contaminantsMolecular quantification of microbial risk in waterOptimization of bioenergy productionApplication of bioretention for stormwater runoff managementAdvancing knowledge on microbial ecology of nitrogen and carbon cycles

Center for Phage Technology

The CPT provided the lab for the summer project

The Center for Phage Technology will position the Texas A&M University System as the world leader in the application of phage to combat bacterial infections in humans, animals and plants, to promote food safety, to protect against potential bacteriological weapons, and to prevent or mitigate the deleterious effects of bacterial contamination, degradation and corrosion in the petroleum industry.Review of Summer ProjectPhages are viruses that infect bacterial cellsOur work focused on phages that infect R. opacus and R. jostiiDoes high degree of phage gene homology exist?

The TEAMWorked along side Armando Vital, Brownsville, TXWorked under Dr. Kung-Hui Chu, Environmental Engineering/Civil EngineeringWorked in Dr. Ry Youngs Lab, Center for Phage Technology (CPT) under direction of Dr. Jason GillWorked with assistance from Myunghee Kim and Do Gyun Lee, both PhD. Students in Dr. Chus Lab

Research WorkCollecting soil samplesLearn aseptic techniquesPreparing media (broth/food)Enriching samples for phageGrowing liquid cultures of bacteriaPlating out phageCollecting plaques of phage on petri dishes

Flow Chart of Lab Work

ResultsResults did not pan out the way we expected them. We were not able to isolate phage. Plating results were not optimal. Only one of our samples yielded plaques but they were very scattered and inconsistent.The results are consistent with the idea of contamination but NOT conclusive.We were NOT able to repeat the experiment.

Anticipated Results

2010 ResultsAnticipated Results

2010 ResultsFocus of Classroom ProjectENERGY!!!For the purposes of physicsGives the opportunity to talk about physics, engineering, energy in general, and finding alternate sources of energyEnergy in GeneralThe unit in physics is energyEncompasses topics such as different forms of energy, potential/kinetic energy, conservation of energy, energy conversion and heat

Why this topic in physics?I want to focus on the conversion of energy and make students aware of engineering that goes on in this field especially this time in history.Perfect project for the last two or three weeks of the semesterLeads into our next topic in physics: thermodynamicsThe kids will be exposed to electrical devices

StandardsProject targets state standards (TEKS) for physicsTargets TAKS/EOC objectivesTargets college readiness standards

TEKS Physics TEKS 7B methods of heat energy transfer. Physics TEKS 5D conservation of energy &momentum. Physics TEKS 6E design and analyze electrical circuits Physics TEKS 7A laws of thermodynamics.TAKSProject targets the following objectives:1 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the nature of science.4 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the structures and properties of matter.5 The student will demonstrate an understanding of motion, forces, and energy.

STAAR/EOC & College Readiness StandardsI. Nature of Science Scientific ways of learning and thinkingII. Foundation Skills Scientific applications of mathematicsIII. Foundation Skills Applications of CommunicationIV. Science, Technology and Society

STAAR/EOC & College Readiness Standards (cont.)V. Cross-Disciplinary ThemesVIII. PhysicsC. Forces and MotionD. Mechanical EnergyH. ThermodynamicsI. Electromagnetism

How to get the kids engagedUse a hand boiler!Use probing questions about the process of how the item worksYouTube - Hand Boilers - Hot or Not

Investigating FurtherGive kids examples of tools, machines and processes that convert energy e.g. water heater, car engine, solar panelsAsk them to explain how these processes work and how they convert energyThis questioning will gear their thinking towards energy conversion and how it impacts technologyInvestigating FurtherOn the day of the introduction, I will give the students a small slide show that focuses on what engineering is.Purpose of slide show: To show how the gaps between scientific disciplines are closing with the innovation of engineers.Lecture and Practice ProblemsGive lecture over a few days (approximately 4 days) along with practice problems to familiarize them with the math involved and how to apply the math

The Main ActivityObjective: Using a thermoelectric device, The students will measure the difference in temperature the sides of the module when a voltage is applied to the module.

Main Activity: Materials1 VoltmeterPower Source2 500mL BeakersWaterIceHot Plate or Bunsen Burner2 Digital ThermometersConnecting Wire1 Peltier Module/Thermoelectric converter2 Aluminum Plates1 Binder Clip

Part AThe Students will:Place the module between the 2 aluminum plates and secure it with a binder clipHook the module to a power source with connecting wires.Adjust the voltage going to the converter (module) at the lowest setting (1.5 V)Part A (cont.)Record the temperature each of the 2 sides of the moduleAdjust to several voltage settings: 3.0 V, 4.5 V, 9.0 V and 12.0 VRecord the difference in temperatures that is generated by each setting respectively.Part AWhen the kids are done with the lab activities for the day, they are to prepare a table from the informationWith the table, they are to produce a graph by hand or via computer softwareAnalyze the data and draw a conclusionPart BChallenge!Challenge the kids by asking if the process is reversibleThe students are to think of a way to make a temperature difference and record difference in voltagesIn addition to the question, ask the kids to develop and design an experimentUpon approval from the teacher, students are to perform their own experiments and write a formal report along with data and conclusions28Student ExpectationsThis will allow students to think outside the box and tap into creativeness.They are being asked to design and create something that will encourage higher level thinkingStudent ExpectationsI hope to see kids use the ice and hot plates to create the temperature difference in two beakers. If kids can come up with another design that they can test, then they should continue with their experiment.

Student ExpectationsAlong with their reports, students will answer a few short answer questions that will guide their thinking towards applications of this topic.My hope is to come full circle with the topics we started so that it brings closure to the chapter Student ExpectationsFinally! The Post-TestPerformance should improve from their pre-test in the second week of school.At the end of the academic year they will have the post-post-test.Sample QuestionsWhat is the law of conservation of energy?Energy cannot be created or destroyedAn object in motion stays in motionWhat goes up must come downThe difference in temperatureWhat does the Peltier Module do?Acts as a heat sinkGenerates energyConverts thermal energy to electrical energyRuns on fuelOther Topics to CoverSedimentation PhysicsDensity/Buoyancy of SedimentationRenewable Energy sources and microbial sources of energy

AcknowledgementsTAMU E3 ProgramNational Science Foundation (NSF)Nuclear Power Institute (NPI)Texas Workforce ComissionDr. Kung-Hui Chu and her labDr. Ry Young and the Center for Phage Technology College Station Water Treatment Plant

Special Thanx toDr. Jason Gill (CPT, Young Lab)Diego Escobar (St. Marys University Intern, Young Lab)Do Gyun Lee (Chu Lab)Myunghee Kim (Chu Lab)Armando Vital (Partner)Doug at the College Station Water Treatment Plant

Special Thanx toDr. Cheryl PageDr. Robin AutenriethDr. Arun SrinivasaAshwin RaoMatthew PariyothornRoberto DimaliwatStephen Hudson

Image/Info ReferencesTexas Education AgencyCSCOPESteve Spangler ScienceCPT TAMUTexas A&M University College of EngineeringQuestions?

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