Tinkering With Green Technologies

In this elective we will explore green technologies like solar, wind, hydro, and water flitration through hands-on challenges. This elective is designed to help us think about how we use our natural resources and how we might become more responsible and innovative citizens of our world.

Challenge #1 - Solar Oven

Each challenge has its own parameters. Here are yours.

• You must create a resusable solar oven. (Make one challah loaf and immediately bake a second)

• The goal is to cook the challah as quickly and completely (no raw insides!) as possible without burning it.

• Your oven must be able to be taken out of your storage cubby, set up, and be heating within 4 minutes.

• The project must be able to be stored COMPLETELY inside your assigned storage cubby. This means it may not exceed 11" in any direction.

• One or more elements must be designed and fabricated on either our 3D printer or laser cutter.

• You may use the internet to search for ideas or look up information. You may NOT copy an existing design completely.

• You may NOT have your computer, phone,  or tablet out as you are building UNLESS it is being used to design a component for 3D printing or laser cutting.

• You will have access to the following materials. If you want to use additional materials they must be approved by Mrs. Bisson.

Other Considerations:

You may elect to work solo or with 1 partner. The decision made at the start of the project is binding. Take time to consider what working method is best for you.

How can you take this challenge up a notch? Can you make an oven that easily collapses for camping or allows for cooking while in motion?

Challenge #2 - Water Filter

Here are the project parameters:

• The water must pass through a single, self contained device. (water in, water filtered, water consumed)

• The device needs to be reusable and cleanable.

• You may design components for 3D printing and laser cutting with permission from Mrs. Bisson.

• The project must be able to be stored COMPLETELY inside your assigned storage cubby. This means it may not exceed 11" in any direction.

• You may use the internet to search ideas or look up information. You may NOT copy an existing design completely. You may not alter an existing 3D design.

• You may NOT have your computer, phone,  or tablet out as you are building UNLESS it is being used to design a component for 3D printing or laser cutting.

• You will have access to the following materials. If you want to use additional materials they must be approved by Mrs. Bisson.

Other Considerations:

You may elect to work solo or with 1 partner. The decision made at the start of the project is binding. Take time to consider what working method is best for you.

How can you take this challenge up a notch? Can the device do more than one thing? Can it filter and boil water for tea? 

Challenge #3 -Wind Powered Machine

Here are the parameters for the challenge:

• Propeller must be designed, by you, in Tinkercad and 3D printed.

• You may design other components for 3D printing and laser cutting with permission from Mrs. Bisson.

• The project must be able to be stored COMPLETELY inside your assigned storage cubby. This means it may not exceed 11" in any direction.

• You may use the internet to search ideas or look up information. You may NOT copy an existing design completely. You may not alter an existing 3D design.

• You may NOT have your computer, phone,  or tablet out as you are building UNLESS it is being used to design a component for 3D printing or laser cutting.

• You will have access to the following materials. If you want to use additional materials they must be approved by Mrs. Bisson.

Other Considerations:

You may elect to work solo or with 1 partner. The decision made at the start of the project is binding. Take time to consider what working method is best for you.

How can you take this challenge up a notch? Can the propeller power a more complex process?

Challenge #4 - Hydro Power

Here are your parameters:

• water turbine must be designed, by you, in Tinkercad and 3D printed.

• You may design other components for 3D printing and laser cutting with permission from Mrs. Bisson.

• must reuse your water (have a method for collecting/saving/storing)

• light must be able to stay on for a full second or more

• The project must be able to be stored COMPLETELY inside your assigned storage cubby. This means it may not exceed 11" in any direction.

• You may use the internet to search ideas or look up information. You may NOT copy an existing design completely. You may not alter an existing 3D design.

• You may NOT have your computer, phone,  or tablet out as you are building UNLESS it is being used to design a component for 3D printing or laser cutting.

• You will have access to the following materials. If you want to use additional materials they must be approved by Mrs. Bisson.

Other Considerations:

You may elect to work solo or with 1 partner. The decision made at the start of the project is binding. Take time to consider what working method is best for you.

Challenge #5 - Desalinization Challenge 

Here are your parameters:

• The water must pass through a single, self contained device. (water in, desalinated, water consumed)

• The device needs to be reusable and cleanable.

• You may use a heating source. Consider ways to make this as energy efficient as possible.

• You may design components for 3D printing and laser cutting with permission from Mrs. Bisson.

• The project must be able to be stored COMPLETELY inside your assigned storage cubby. This means it may not exceed 11" in any direction.

• You may use the internet to search ideas or look up information. You may NOT copy an existing design completely. You may not alter an existing 3D design.

• You may NOT have your computer, phone,  or tablet out as you are building UNLESS it is being used to design a component for 3D printing or laser cutting.

• You will have access to the following materials. If you want to use additional materials they must be approved by Mrs. Bisson.

Other Considerations:

You may elect to work solo or with 1 partner. The decision made at the start of the project is binding. Take time to consider what working method is best for you.

Challenge #6 - Combined Technology