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/