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/