Science

Why Environmental Values Matter?

It could change the policies and laws (banning

plastics, protecting forests)

It can influence people's habits (recycling and

sace energy)

It can affect the environment and the future of

Earth (climate change, global warming...)

Our First Week

In the first week, we visited the NTU Soil Museum to learn about soils. After that, we presented a project about environmental values at global, local, and cultural levels. For example, some cities in Taiwan ban plastic bags, and Indigenous people see nature as part of their identity. Many countries also recycle paper, plastic, and metal to save resources and reduce waste. These actions help keep our communities clean and comfortable.

Taiwan's Geography

In this unit, I learned how Taiwan was formed by the collision of the Eurasian Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate about 6 million years ago. I also learned that Taiwan’s mountains were built by this collision and shaped over time by rain, wind, and rivers that carved deep gorges.

Taiwan's ecosystem

In this unit, I learned about Taiwan’s four main ecosystems: mountain forests, wetlands, coastal, and marine. Our group chose the coastal ecosystem to research. It is home to animals like seagulls, pelicans, seals, crabs, and dolphins. The coast also provides resources such as marble and salt, but we must protect it from natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and typhoons.

Solar power

Solar energy comes from the sun’s light and heat. Solar panels capture this sunlight and turn it into electricity we can use. It’s clean energy that doesn’t cause pollution. Because the sun will always shine, solar power won’t run out. It helps protect the Earth and saves energy for the future.

Reflection

In this science class, I learned so many interesting things about the environment and how we can use science to help our planet. We explored how to design an eco house that saves energy and uses natural resources wisely. I found learning about wind power really cool, seeing how windmills can turn air into electricity. We also studied Taiwan’s natural environment and learned how important it is to protect our forests, rivers, and oceans. Newton’s laws helped me understand how force and motion work, which even connects to how wind turbines and other machines move. I also learned about solar power and how sunlight can be turned into energy that powers our homes without polluting the Earth.

What I really enjoyed was learning about green rooftops. I never thought that buildings could grow plants on top and actually help cool the city at the same time! This class made me realize that small changes, like using solar panels or planting on rooftops, can really make a difference for the environment. I feel more aware now of how science and nature can work together to create a better world. It also made me think about how I can live more eco-friendly in my daily life. Overall, this class inspired me to care more about the planet and reminded me that even small actions can have a big impact.

ECO House

The purpose of this project is to apply what I have learned about eco-friendly design and sustainability. My house uses solar panels to generate energy for the entire building. A water tank is placed beside the house because Berlin does not receive a large amount of rainfall, and the collected water is used to water plants in the garden. The main materials used in this house are wood, concrete, and fiberglass, as experiments showed that these materials are the most effective for insulation and durability. The solar energy generated during the day is stored and used at night or during emergencies.

Heat transform lab

This thermal laboratory tested the effects of different insulation materials on heat transfer under hot and cold environments. Each container was wrapped with a different material, and temperature changes were measured over the same time period. Materials such as cotton cloth and cardboard slowed down heat loss from hot water and heat absorption from cold water. This demonstrates that the principle of insulation is to help objects maintain their temperature for a longer period by reducing heat transfer.

Location of my ECO house

This eco-house is located in Berlin, Germany, roughly at 52.52°N, 13.41°E, at an altitude of about 50 meters. The local climate is mild, with cold winters where average temperatures are often near or below freezing, and mild to warm summers. Average summer high temperatures are typically around 23-25 degrees Celsius, while winter high temperatures are generally below 5 degrees Celsius. The average annual temperature is approximately 10.2 degrees Celsius, meaning the region requires efficient heating in winter and passive cooling in summer.

Data of testing materials

This insulation experiment compared the thermal insulation performance of glass fiber, wood, and concrete by measuring the ability of each material to slow down heat loss over time. All materials were initially set at 80°C, but over time, wood and glass fiber showed better insulation performance than concrete. Concrete exhibited the fastest temperature drop, indicating its poor insulation performance due to its higher thermal conductivity. Overall, the experimental results support the prediction that wood provides better insulation than concrete, while glass fiber performs best as the insulation material.

Solar panel lab

This experiment investigated how changing the tilt angle of a photovoltaic (PV) panel affects the electrical current it produces. Measurements showed that the PV panel generated the highest current at an angle of around 45°, where sunlight struck the panel more directly. As the panel was tilted further away from this optimal angle, the current decreased due to reduced effective sunlight exposure. The results demonstrate that proper panel orientation and tilt are critical for maximizing solar energy efficiency in eco-house design.

Presentation

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