Project Description
This project had many different parts. We had to learn about daylighting techniques in order to design a new science building. Before we even started that part of the project we had to learn about atomic structure, the solar system, and solar angles. We also had to make a model of a house that used only natural daylighting techniques.
Our science building could either be a physical model, a blueprint, or an online model. Our group chose to use SketchUp to make a 3D model. We then had to create a presentation about our building and present it to a panel of architects.
Our science building could either be a physical model, a blueprint, or an online model. Our group chose to use SketchUp to make a 3D model. We then had to create a presentation about our building and present it to a panel of architects.
Our New Science Building
Slideshow
Earth's Layers
Earth has 4 different layers. The outer layer is called the crust. This is the layer that we live on, and it is also the thinnest layer. It's thicker where mountains are and thinner under the ocean. The next layer is the mantle. The mantle is sometimes divided into two layers. This is where convection currents take place.The third layer is the outer core. This is the only liquid layer of the earth. The last part is the core. The inner core is made out of iron, and is thought to cause Earth's magnetic field.
Model of Orbits
In our model of orbits we had to predict something about Planet X based off of known planets. We knew how far away from the Sun Planet X was. When we looked at a chart that had information about the planets we noticed that the farther away from the Sun they were, the slower their velocities were. We used this information to try and figure out the velocity of Planet X. Our prediction wasn't correct, but it wasn't that far off. Our model had to include Newton's Law of Gravitation, which is F=G*Mm/r^2. Also, we had a vector diagram that included the Sun and the first four planets, along with the information about them that we used.
Solar Angles
Solar angles drastically affect the amount of light you get at certain places on the Earth. At the equator, light hits the Earth almost directly, so it is very light and very warm. The Sun is directly above you in the sky at midday. At the poles, sunlight hits the earth at an extreme angle, so they don't get as much light. The Sun will never be directly above you, and you never get that much sunlight. The Earth is tilted on its axis, so part of the Earth is tilted towards the Sun, and the other part is tilted away. This is what causes seasons. The part of the earth that is tilted down, away from the Sun gets a lot less light. This is known as winter. The part of the Earth that is tilted up gets a lot of light, which causes summer. Solar angles related to our building design because it affects how much light is getting through the windows at different times.
Atomic Structure
Atoms are the things that make up the world around us. Everything is made out of atoms, even the air. Atoms are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. The protons and neutrons are in the nucleus, and are held together by the strong nuclear force. Electrons spin around the nucleus. Protons have a positive charge, electrons have a negative charge, and neutrons have no charge. Multiple atoms make up molecules.
Heat and Molecules
Heat is the movement or vibration of molecules. Heat is transferred three different ways- radiation, conduction, and convection. Radiation is heat moving through space as a wave, conduction is heat being moved through a solid, and convection is heat circulating through a liquid or gas. If something is insulated that means it resists conduction. Specific heat is how effectively a substance holds heat. This is very useful in designing buildings, because it controls how cool buildings stay in the heat and how warm buildings stay in the winter.
Daylighting Design Model
We had to design a building that used only natural daylighting techniques. Our building was made out of cardboard and was 1,000 square feet. We included clerestory windows, skylights, and windows. Then, we compared how much light there was in different parts of the house when the sun (a flashlight) was at different angles. From that we determined that clerestory windows were the most consistently effective. They let light inside at every time of the day.
The rooms that had clerestory windows were the lightest.
Justification Document
As a class, we had to complete a justification document about different energy sources. Each group was assigned a different part, then we all combined our answers. My group was in charge of researching how much energy people use, what forms of energy are used, and how much all this energy costs. On average, a person in the US uses 955 kilowatt hours each month. This costs around $110.55. The most common energy source used is coal/peat. Renewable energy sources only make up about 6.3% of our energy use.
Key Terms
Passive Solar Design: A building that is designed to store heat in the winter, and resist heat in the summer. They use windows and different wall, floor, and ceiling techniques to do this. Our job was to make a building using passive solar design.
Daylighting Techniques: Techniques used to light a building using as much light as possible. This includes clerestory windows, light shelves, and skylights. We used daylighting techniques in our building to make it as bright as possible using natural light.
Other important terms are highlighted in the paragraphs above.
Daylighting Techniques: Techniques used to light a building using as much light as possible. This includes clerestory windows, light shelves, and skylights. We used daylighting techniques in our building to make it as bright as possible using natural light.
Other important terms are highlighted in the paragraphs above.
Reflection
One thing that went well this project was that everyone contributed and all shared our ideas. We were able to include everyone's ideas in the project. I think we were all able to communicate with each other very well. We also did a good job of planning ahead. I didn't ever feel like we were falling behind or didn't have enough time to finish, even though we had a lot of work to do. Something that we could have worked on was working together. Something we could have worked on was staying on task. Sometimes we would get distracted talking to other groups, or we would get off topic. Our project could have been even better if we had focused better.