Rural Exceptional Student Talent Opportunities, Resources, & Experiences
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING & SUSTAINABILITY
Embedded Files
(gr. 6-8)
In this unit, the student will explore environmental engineering, focusing on sustainability and innovative solutions to contemporary environmental issues (i.e. renewable energy, waste management, water purification, etc.). This unit integrates Level 4 DOK questions with the PACE Framework (Point of View, Assumptions, Consequences, Evidence) to encourage critical thinking and problem solving. The student will explore the complex nature of environmental challenges, develop possible solutions, and present a final project that showcases their innovation.
Simulation Tools
Simulation Tools
1. PhET Interactive Simulations
1. PhET Interactive Simulations
Description: PhET provides free interactive simulations for a variety of subjects, including physics, chemistry, and environmental science. These can be used to simulate energy transfer, renewable energy systems, and environmental changes.
How It Helps: Ideal for exploring energy efficiency, renewable energy technologies, and physical principles behind engineering solutions.
2. OpenRocket
2. OpenRocket
Description: OpenRocket is an open-source rocket simulation tool that can simulate flight dynamics, aerodynamics, and flight characteristics for model rockets, which could be applied to aerospace and environmental systems testing.
How It Helps: Use for testing aerodynamic designs or simulations on flight paths for waste management drones, water delivery systems, or pollution-sensing devices.
Link: https://openrocket.info/
3. HOMER Energy (HOMER Pro)
3. HOMER Energy (HOMER Pro)
Description: HOMER Pro is a tool for simulating and optimizing microgrid systems with renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and batteries. It's useful for designing sustainable energy systems and analyzing their efficiency and costs.
How It Helps: It helps students simulate energy systems for sustainability projects like solar-powered water purification or waste-to-energy systems.
4. Energy3D
4. Energy3D
Description: Energy3D is a 3D modeling and simulation tool for designing and analyzing solar energy systems. It allows users to simulate the effects of sunlight and weather on solar panels, buildings, and other energy systems.
How It Helps: Students can use this tool to design solar energy solutions, model energy efficiency, and optimize their renewable energy projects.
5. DesignBuilder (EnergyPlus)
5. DesignBuilder (EnergyPlus)
Description: DesignBuilder is a building simulation software that models the energy performance of buildings. It integrates with EnergyPlus for analyzing the impact of building designs on energy use, heating, cooling, lighting, and air quality.
How It Helps: For sustainability projects, it can help students design energy-efficient buildings or simulate the energy impact of solar panels, insulation, and other green technologies.
6. Virtual Lab by Labster (Environmental Science Simulations)
6. Virtual Lab by Labster (Environmental Science Simulations)
Description: Labster offers a virtual science lab platform where students can conduct simulations related to environmental science experiments, including pollution control, ecosystem management, and resource conservation.
How It Helps: Ideal for testing hypotheses related to pollution, water purification, or chemical waste treatmentwithout requiring physical lab setups.
Link: https://www.labster.com/
7. The Renewable Energy Simulator (ReEDS)
7. The Renewable Energy Simulator (ReEDS)
Description: ReEDS is a model used to simulate large-scale energy systems, focusing on the optimization of renewable energy systems in the U.S. It analyzes solar, wind, and battery storage solutions.
How It Helps: Students can simulate various renewable energy configurations and evaluate the feasibility of clean energy solutions for different environmental challenges.
8. Virtual Wind Tunnel by NASA
8. Virtual Wind Tunnel by NASA
Description: NASA offers a virtual wind tunnel where students can test the aerodynamics of various aircraft designs, including sustainable solutions and alternative fuel vehicles.
How It Helps: Students can simulate the performance of green aircraft designs, testing them for drag, thrust, and efficiency in different conditions.
Link: https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/beginners-guide-to-aeronautics/foilw1
9. OpenLCA (Life Cycle Assessment Tool)
9. OpenLCA (Life Cycle Assessment Tool)
Description: OpenLCA is a tool for life cycle assessment (LCA) that helps users evaluate the environmental impacts of various products or processes, including energy generation, waste management, and resource consumption.
How It Helps: Students can use LCA to analyze the environmental impact of their proposed solutions and identify areas for improvement.
Link: https://www.openlca.org/
10. FluidMath
10. FluidMath
Description: FluidMath is a software tool that allows students to solve math problems related to engineering challenges, such as fluid dynamics or aerodynamics.
How It Helps: It can help students solve complex calculations in aerospace, energy, and environmental designchallenges, improving their understanding of key engineering principles.
11. EcoCity Builders' EcoCity Simulator
11. EcoCity Builders' EcoCity Simulator
Description: EcoCity Builders provides an interactive simulator where students can design and test eco-friendly cities, taking into account sustainability, waste management, and energy needs.
How It Helps: Students can build models of sustainable cities and test out energy-efficient systems, waste management strategies, and green infrastructure solutions.
(image courtesy www.freepik.com)
(image courtesy www.freepik.com)
Week 1-2
Problem Identification & Exploration
Week 1-2
Problem Identification & Exploration
🔹 Guiding DOK 4 Question: How do current environmental challenges (e.g., climate change, waste management, energy production) impact society and what innovative engineering solutions can address these issues?
🔹 Tasks:
Research global environmental challenges such as climate change, pollution, renewable energy, and water conservation.
Define and identify a specific environmental problem that can be addressed through engineering (e.g., waste management systems, solar energy storage, ocean plastic clean-up).
Introduce the PACE framework for analyzing the problem:
P - Point of View: How do different people or organizations (e.g., scientists, government officials, local communities) perceive the problem and potential solutions?
A - Assumptions: What are the assumptions that guide current solutions to the problem? (e.g., reliance on fossil fuels, cost-effectiveness of renewable energy).
C - Consequences: What are the long-term consequences of not addressing this issue, and what impact could your solution have?
E - Evidence: What scientific data, research studies, or real-world case studies exist to support potential solutions?
Deliverable: Present a summary report or infographic describing the environmental challenge and how different perspectives and evidence shape the conversation.
🔹 Online Resources for Teacher & Student:
NASA Earth Science (Climate Change and Sustainability): https://www.nasa.gov/earth
MIT OpenCourseWare - Energy Studies: https://ocw.mit.edu/courses
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center: https://serc.si.edu/
Tool Integration:
PhET Interactive Simulations (for understanding basic environmental science principles like energy transfer, pollution, and sustainability).
How to Integrate: Start the unit by using PhET simulations to explore fundamental environmental science concepts like energy cycles, wind energy, or solar energy. These simulations will help students better understand the systems they will address in their projects.
Example Activity: Have students use the Energy Forms & Changes simulation to explore how energy is transferred and stored, then apply this understanding to their aerospace or sustainability design.
PACE Framework Application:
P (Point of View): Explore different perspectives on renewable energy solutions (e.g., government policy vs. industry vs. environmental groups).
A (Assumptions): Students can test assumptions about renewable energy by running simulations with different inputs (e.g., wind speed, solar panel angle).
C (Consequences): Analyze the long-term consequences of using one energy source over another, such as environmental impact and cost.
E (Evidence): Use data from PhET to support or refute assumptions about the most efficient energy sources for the student’s design.
(image courtesy www.freepik.com)
(image courtesy www.freepik.com)
Week 3-4
Design & Engineering Solution Development
Week 3-4
Design & Engineering Solution Development
🔹 Guiding DOK 4 Question: What engineering strategies and innovations can address your selected environmental problem while balancing sustainability and efficiency?
🔹 Tasks:
Develop an engineering design for a sustainable solution (e.g., a new renewable energy system, water filtration device, or waste-to-energy process).
Use the PACE framework to guide design decisions:
P - Point of View: Who are the key stakeholders (e.g., local communities, governments, industries) that need to be considered in your design?
A - Assumptions: What assumptions are made about the feasibility and effectiveness of your solution? (e.g., technology costs, environmental impact).
C - Consequences: What are the potential consequences of adopting or not adopting your solution (e.g., cost to society, environmental impact)?
E - Evidence: How can data or past case studies support the feasibility of your design (e.g., successful examples of sustainable energy)?
Create a prototype or simulation of the solution using digital tools (e.g., TinkerCAD for 3D models or Google SketchUp for design).
Deliverable: An engineering design report outlining the problem, solution, and how the PACE framework influenced decision-making.
🔹 Online Resources for Teacher & Student:
TinkerCAD for 3D Modeling and Prototyping: https://www.tinkercad.com/
Google SketchUp for Design: https://www.sketchup.com/
Green Tech Media - Clean Energy Innovation: https://www.greentechmedia.com/
Tool Integration:
OpenRocket (for testing aerospace designs) and HOMER Energy (for renewable energy system design)
How to Integrate: After choosing a problem (e.g., renewable energy systems, waste-to-energy), have the student create a conceptual prototype in TinkerCAD and simulate the system using HOMER Energy.
Example Activity: If the student is designing a solar-powered aircraft, use OpenRocket to simulate flight paths and energy use during flight. If they’re working on an energy solution (e.g., solar panels for homes), use HOMER Energy to simulate different solar panel configurations.
PACE Framework Application:
P (Point of View): Consider how a solar-powered drone might be viewed by various stakeholders (e.g., environmentalists vs. the military).
A (Assumptions): Test assumptions about energy efficiency using OpenRocket for aerospace designs. Is the drone efficient in all weather conditions?
C (Consequences): Consider the economic consequences of widespread adoption of solar-powered drones for delivery or military applications.
E (Evidence): Gather real-world data on solar panel efficiency and open-source testing simulations from HOMER to evaluate the design.
(image courtesy www.freepik.com)
(image courtesy www.freepik.com)
Week 5-6
Prototype Testing & Improvement
Week 5-6
Prototype Testing & Improvement
🔹 Guiding DOK 4 Question: How can you use data and testing results to improve your design and ensure it meets environmental and societal needs?
🔹 Tasks:
Test the prototype or model for functionality, sustainability, and impact.
Use real-world simulations (e.g., OpenRocket for waste disposal systems, Google Sheets for energy output analysis).
Revisit the PACE framework to critically evaluate the prototype's potential:
P - Point of View: Gather feedback from experts or stakeholders (could include teachers, online environmental forums, or peers).
A - Assumptions: Reassess any incorrect assumptions made during the design (e.g., cost-effectiveness, scalability).
C - Consequences: What short-term and long-term consequences arise from your design's success or failure?
E - Evidence: Analyze testing data or simulation results to validate the design.
Deliverable: A prototype evaluation report that includes data, feedback, and a revised solution based on testing.
🔹 Online Resources for Teacher & Student:
OpenRocket for Simulation & Testing: https://openrocket.info/
Green Building Advisor - Simulation & Design Tools: https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/
Coursera - Sustainable Engineering: https://www.coursera.org/
Tool Integration:
Energy3D (for simulating solar energy systems) and OpenLCA (for life cycle assessment)
How to Integrate: As the student works on designing and building a prototype, have them use Energy3D to simulate how their energy solution (e.g., solar-powered device) will function in real-world environments, and OpenLCA to analyze the environmental impact of the materials and processes used in the design.
Example Activity: If the student is designing a solar-powered filtration system, use Energy3D to simulate how the solar panel functions in various geographic locations with different sunlight hours. Use OpenLCA to determine the carbon footprint of the materials selected for the prototype.
PACE Framework Application:
P (Point of View): Examine how different industries (e.g., green tech companies, military, civilian use) would benefit from the solution.
A (Assumptions): Analyze assumptions about the cost-effectiveness of solar-powered designs using OpenLCA.
C (Consequences): What are the social consequences of using sustainable materials in your design (e.g., job creation in renewable energy sectors)?
E (Evidence): Use simulation data from Energy3D to back up claims about the system’s energy efficiency.
(image courtesy www.freepik.com)
(image courtesy www.freepik.com)
Week 7-8
Final Presentation & Reflection
Week 7-8
Final Presentation & Reflection
🔹 Guiding DOK 4 Question: How does your solution improve upon existing technologies, and what are its broader implications for sustainability and society?
🔹 Tasks:
Finalize the prototype or simulation and prepare a 5-minute presentation that explains the design, testing process, and the PACE framework used.
Reflect on how new evidence or testing results improved the solution.
Discuss potential societal impacts of your solution and how it aligns with environmental sustainability goals.
Deliverable: A multimedia presentation (slides, video, or interactive prototype) that outlines the project, including how the PACE framework was applied.
🔹 Online Resources for Teacher & Student:
WeVideo (Video Creation and Editing): https://www.wevideo.com/
Google Slides Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLsDqVHUzyw
Tool Integration:
DesignBuilder (to test energy consumption models) and FluidMath (for fluid dynamics related to aerospace designs)
How to Integrate: After completing the prototype, use DesignBuilder to simulate how the proposed energy solution would work in a building, testing for energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness. For aerospace projects, use FluidMath to run calculations on air resistance, propulsion, and speed.
Example Activity: If the student is testing a solar-powered UAV, simulate the energy consumption and wind resistance in DesignBuilder and FluidMath to predict how the drone will perform over time.
PACE Framework Application:
P (Point of View): Discuss how different stakeholders (government, corporations, the environment) would perceive the energy savings and impact of the student’s design.
A (Assumptions): What assumptions did you make regarding the cost of materials or battery life when designing?
C (Consequences): Analyze the global consequences of your design’s adoption. How will it change the landscape for environmental sustainability?
E (Evidence): Collect data from simulations to verify the design’s energy efficiency and long-term performance.
(image courtesy www.freepik.com)
(image courtesy www.freepik.com)
Week 9-10
Final Project
Week 9-10
Final Project
Research Paper outlining the problem, solution, and PACE framework application.
Prototype or Simulation of the proposed solution.
5-minute Final Presentation showcasing the entire project, testing results, and societal/environmental implications.
Optional Submission: Submit the project to local/regional STEM fairs or environmental competitions.
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