Renewable Energy

Bob JesbergFETC Conference

Orlando, FLJanuary 28 – 31, 2014

1

Workshop Agenda

• The Renewable Energy Set• Standard Alignments• Sources of Renewable Energy• Wind Powered Models• Solar Powered Models• Water Powered Models

2

The Challenge is to:

• Go GREEN and bring STEM concepts to life with this exciting Renewable Energy set from K’NEX Education. Compare and contrast the output and efficiency that can be realized from wind, solar and water powered machines as they work on projects of real-world significance.

3

The Renewable Energy Set

• 583 K’NEX Pieces• Builds 9 models (3 at a time).• Supports 6-9 students working

in teams.• Solar, water, and wind powered

models included.• Includes a comprehensive

Teacher’s Guide with nine complete lessons on CD.

4

Key Concepts

• Renewable Energy• Solar, Wind and Hydro Power• Energy Storage• Electrical Energy Generation• Energy Efficient Technologies• Green Energy/Clean Energy• Force, Motion, Work and Power• Reducing Greenhouse Emissions

• Energy: Radiant, Mechanical, Electrical

• Reducing Dependence on Foreign Energy

• Conservation of Energy• Kinetic and Potential Energy• Innovation and Invention• Mechanical and Electrical Systems• Newton's Laws

NSES Science Content Standards Alignment

• Unifying Concepts and Processes– Systems - Evidence, models and explanation– Form and function - Constancy, change and measurement

• Science as Inquiry– Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry– Understanding about scientific inquiry

• Physical Science– Motions and forces– Transfer of energy

• Science and Technology– Abilities of technological design– Understanding about science and technology

6

Next Generation Science Standards

• Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.

• Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass of an object and to the speed of an object

• Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system.

• Construct, use, and present arguments to support the claim that when the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from the object.

ITEEA Standards AlignmentsThe characteristics and scope of technology• Inventions and innovations are the results of specific, goal directed

research. The core concepts of technology• Systems Thinking.• Different technologies involve different sets of processes.The attributes of design• Design is a creative planning process that leads to useful products and

systems.Engineering Design• Modeling, testing, evaluating, and modifying are used to transform

ideas into practical solutions.

8

NCTM Standards and Expectations• Use mathematical models to represent and understand quantitative

relationships – Grades 6–8 Expectations: In grades 6–8 all students should–

• model and solve contextualized problems using various representations, such as graphs, tables, and equations.

• Analyze change in various contexts – Grades 6–8 Expectations: In grades 6–8 all students should–

• use graphs to analyze the nature of changes in quantities in linear relationships.

• Measurement Standard– Instructional programs from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 should

enable all students to— • Understand measurable attributes of objects and the units, systems, and

processes of measurement• Apply appropriate techniques, tools, and formulas to determine

measurements.

Common Core - Mathematics

Mathematical Practices – 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.– 2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.

Expressions and Equations– Apply and extend previous understandings of arithmetic to

algebraic expressions.– Reason about and solve one-variable equations . . . .– Represent and analyze quantitative relationships between

dependent and independent variables.

10

Investigating Energy

• A basic understanding of renewable energy is critical to an understanding of

the energy challenges that face the planet.

• Generally, four sources of renewable energy have received the greatest

attention: Solar, Wind, Water, and Geothermal.

• Three of these sources will be addressed with this new set of STEM

classroom materials from K’NEX Education.

11

K’NEX Wind Powered Models

• The Wind Mill produces electrical energy that students can use to power another model.

• The Wind Car travels across the floor powered by a house fan.

• The wind powered Water Lift collects scoops of water and deposits them in a paper cup.

12

K’NEX Solar Powered Models• The direct drive Shuttle Ride uses solar

power without gears to multiply force.

• The Crank Man model uses a train of four

gears to multiply force.

• The Solar Car (on the first slide) operates

best in direct sunlight.

13

K’NEX Water Powered Models• The Grist Mill (top) turns as water

strikes the paddles on its water wheel.

• The Water Wheel (bottom) turns as

water fills the black scoops and

generates electricity to power another

model with a generator.

14

Build the Shuttle Ride

15

Shuttle Ride

• Slide rods into connectors from the side

• See the Instruction Booklet for directions

• Test and adjust for smooth operation

• Attach a solar panel to the motor and place the panel under the light

source.

16

Solar investigations (collect data to answer these questions)

• How close must the panel be to the light source for the model to spin?

• Is there a relationship between distance from the light and the speed of

rotation?

• How much of the panel must be in the light for the shuttle to work?

• At what angle to the light does the panel work best?

17

Compare Angular Momentum

18

Explore and Learn

• Use some of the models from the Renewable Energy Set stationed

around the room to generate electricity to power the shuttle.

• Be able to report on at least one relationship you found during this

exploration phase.

19

Wrap-Up• The Renewable Energy Set provides materials for three groups of students

to work simultaneously as they investigate STEM concepts.

• The Set puts much of the responsibility for learning in the hands of the

students as they design experiments to discover new knowledge and to

reinforce their understanding of complex concepts.

20