Our main question for this project was: How can we design an outdoor class space that is comfortable and pleasant to use in all conditions, without the use of electricity? We started by separating into groups of four and doing lots of small projects/labs that would help us when we started the design for our outdoor classroom. Our first task was designing and building a makeshift solar water heater. To complete this task we learned about solar angles and how they change during different seasons. Second we tested the heat conductivity of certain materials and how those materials absorb water. We also developed a survey to give to students, teachers, and staff asking what they wanted in a outdoor class, what they would use it for, etc... In addition we designed a wind turbine that we could use to generate electricity. The main part of our project was the building design including: blueprints, a model, and a list of the supplies, quantity, and cost. Overall this project took about three months of hard work!
Solar Water Heater
The purpose of this assignment was to construct the best way to efficiently heat water using the sun. First we made a list of materials, then we created a blueprint, and finally we assembled. We had a fairly simple design and here is how it works: First we poured room temperature water into a funnel which led into the copper tubing. The water then sat in the copper tubing for a set amount of time, then we released the water into a thermos where it is stored. We continued to run more water through the system in the same way.
Solar Water Heater
The purpose of this assignment was to construct the best way to efficiently heat water using the sun. First we made a list of materials, then we created a blueprint, and finally we assembled. We had a fairly simple design and here is how it works: First we poured room temperature water into a funnel which led into the copper tubing. The water then sat in the copper tubing for a set amount of time, then we released the water into a thermos where it is stored. We continued to run more water through the system in the same way.
Client Needs Survey
The purpose of this survey was to find out what students and teachers would want in our outdoor classroom. We came up with 10 solid questions that would give us enough information on what people wanted. Here is a link to our results:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EQFHNU6X9jHaMICgCoxTiwbDdhbG9oIG7TqnHahVGLM/edit#gid=1437082911
Site Selection
Site Selection was a major part of this project. We had to find the prefect location that fit all of the needs of students and teachers. The factors that my group took into consideration when choosing our location were: level ground, sunlight/shade exposure, distance from campus, wifi strength, and wind block. The location we chose is the box between the art room and cafeteria. There is already a concrete perimeter around our location which is very helpful. The ground is level, it is on campus, has great wifi connection, good win block and has a concrete patch leading to it for wheel chair accessibility. This is what our location looks like:
The purpose of this survey was to find out what students and teachers would want in our outdoor classroom. We came up with 10 solid questions that would give us enough information on what people wanted. Here is a link to our results:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EQFHNU6X9jHaMICgCoxTiwbDdhbG9oIG7TqnHahVGLM/edit#gid=1437082911
Site Selection
Site Selection was a major part of this project. We had to find the prefect location that fit all of the needs of students and teachers. The factors that my group took into consideration when choosing our location were: level ground, sunlight/shade exposure, distance from campus, wifi strength, and wind block. The location we chose is the box between the art room and cafeteria. There is already a concrete perimeter around our location which is very helpful. The ground is level, it is on campus, has great wifi connection, good win block and has a concrete patch leading to it for wheel chair accessibility. This is what our location looks like:
Materials Testing Lab
We wanted to make sure that the materials we used to build our outdoor classroom with were durable in all weather conditions. As a result we designed a lab to test all the possible materials we would be using. We tested how hot certain materials would get under a heat lamp and how fast they cooled down. We also tested how much water they absorbed. Here is what we found out:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ddypjn9ikkl8zxYncXGBVuCyJaUOLF9J8zEToDIvsR4/edit#gid=0
We wanted to make sure that the materials we used to build our outdoor classroom with were durable in all weather conditions. As a result we designed a lab to test all the possible materials we would be using. We tested how hot certain materials would get under a heat lamp and how fast they cooled down. We also tested how much water they absorbed. Here is what we found out:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ddypjn9ikkl8zxYncXGBVuCyJaUOLF9J8zEToDIvsR4/edit#gid=0
Our Outdoor Classroom Design
Here is our trifold poster that we presented to the judges:
Here is our trifold poster that we presented to the judges:
Concepts
Atoms: Basic structures of all matter
Molecular Structure: Describes the type, arrangement, position, and direction of the bonds linking atoms within a molecule.
States of Matter:
Solid-Molecules barely move. Ex. ice
Liquid- Molecules move around. Ex. water
Gases- Molecules move the fastest. Ex. steam
Specific Heat Capacity: The specific heat capacity is the amount of heat required to change a unit mass of a substance by one degree in temperature.
Conduction: Heat transfer through a solid. Some solids are better at transferring heat (Ex. Copper> Aluminum)
Convection: Movement of heat through a fluid (liquid or gas)
Radiation: Transfer of heat through waves/rays/particles
Insulation: Opposite of conduction (bad at transferring heat)
Laws Of Thermodynamics:
0th Law- Explains Temperature (If two systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are in equilibrium with each other)
1st Law- Conservation of energy (Energy is neither created or destroyed, but transferred from one form to another. Heat is a form of energy)
2nd Law- Entropy increases (Disorder increases. Over time everything becomes the same temperature)
3rd Law- Temperature can never get to absolute zero. Heat always exists.
Angles Of The Sun: We live in the northern hemisphere so the light that we get from the sun generally comes from the south, although the exact angles of light rays change considerably throughout the day and during different seasons. While designing our home, we had to take these changing angles into consideration.
Wind Turbine Lab
During our Outdoor Classroom designing, we did a wind turbine lab. We had manila folders and were trying make a bladed structure. There was a choice between HAWT and VAWT. We chose to mostly do VAWT and made a box blade type. This worked fairly well, as you can see in the picture.
Atoms: Basic structures of all matter
Molecular Structure: Describes the type, arrangement, position, and direction of the bonds linking atoms within a molecule.
States of Matter:
Solid-Molecules barely move. Ex. ice
Liquid- Molecules move around. Ex. water
Gases- Molecules move the fastest. Ex. steam
Specific Heat Capacity: The specific heat capacity is the amount of heat required to change a unit mass of a substance by one degree in temperature.
Conduction: Heat transfer through a solid. Some solids are better at transferring heat (Ex. Copper> Aluminum)
Convection: Movement of heat through a fluid (liquid or gas)
Radiation: Transfer of heat through waves/rays/particles
Insulation: Opposite of conduction (bad at transferring heat)
Laws Of Thermodynamics:
0th Law- Explains Temperature (If two systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are in equilibrium with each other)
1st Law- Conservation of energy (Energy is neither created or destroyed, but transferred from one form to another. Heat is a form of energy)
2nd Law- Entropy increases (Disorder increases. Over time everything becomes the same temperature)
3rd Law- Temperature can never get to absolute zero. Heat always exists.
Angles Of The Sun: We live in the northern hemisphere so the light that we get from the sun generally comes from the south, although the exact angles of light rays change considerably throughout the day and during different seasons. While designing our home, we had to take these changing angles into consideration.
Wind Turbine Lab
During our Outdoor Classroom designing, we did a wind turbine lab. We had manila folders and were trying make a bladed structure. There was a choice between HAWT and VAWT. We chose to mostly do VAWT and made a box blade type. This worked fairly well, as you can see in the picture.
Reflection
I really enjoyed this lengthy project. My group worked great together. One thing I did well was contribute my part to the entire project. I also created all of the 3-D models which was a little challenging. Next project I could work on my leadership skills and try to stay on task more and not mess around as much.
I really enjoyed this lengthy project. My group worked great together. One thing I did well was contribute my part to the entire project. I also created all of the 3-D models which was a little challenging. Next project I could work on my leadership skills and try to stay on task more and not mess around as much.