Modeling Energy Dynamics in Daily Life
Course
Description
As part of the MAC institute in 2001 we developed this course which combines environmental science concepts with math. The team-taught course is project-based and centers around the topics of home heating, home lighting and personal food choices. Students connect these topics with energy consumption and explore alternative choices of conservation measures through project-based models they create. Upon interpretation and analysis of these models students determine which conservation measures make the most sense for them.
We use the following methodology for each of the 3 topics:
Introduce
the topic and the scientific background surrounding the issue
Establish how our current lifestyle relates to the issue
Explore conservation measures (alternatives)
Create models to depict impacts of conservation measures
Assess and evaluate the impacts of choosing alternatives
Students have the opportunity to assess the impact of their own lifestyle on energy consumption and through this process they are able to choose conservation actions that are appropriate for them. Assignments were revised in 2005 to make project activities clearly directed and more structured for students.
Implementation – Spring, 2002 and Spring 2006
This
is a 1 credit, 10-week quarter course
The
course is geared for first and second year students (non-majors)
Reading
and homework assignments will be assigned outside of class time to reinforce
concepts
Each
topic will include hands-on projects/experimentation to illustrate the
concept
In
class activities will be team-oriented
Some
classes will be conducted in our computer lab
1)
Demonstrate a basic understanding of the heat transfer model
2) Use the heat transfer model to understand how weather influences residential space heating
3)
Develop a data base and quantify their own residential heat use