MAST ACADEMY

ENERGY FOR SUSTAINABILITY: SOLAR ENERGY AND ALTERNATIVES RESOURCES – SOLAR I
Course #: 2002540
2009 - 2010
Dr. Wafa Khalil

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Solar Energy and Alternatives is an integrated course that covers a comprehensive study of energy, its categories, and its forms. Students will gain an understanding of the law of conservation of energy and the thermodynamics laws. They will investigate energy resources, energy production, conversion, consumption, energy conservation, efficiency, and its environmental effects. They will relate their investigations to sustainable development.

The main focus of the course is on solar energy and other renewable alternatives resources such as wind, hydroelectric, biomass, geothermal, and hydrogen. The course is student-centered and project-based curriculum; it implements hands-on and minds-on experiences where, through a series of short-term and long-term experiments and research, students will investigate several aspects of solar energy such as solar heat and solar electricity (photovoltaic).

The experimental and research sections will focus on energy conservation, insulation, passive and active water heating, domestic design, water purification, solar cooking, and food drying. Additional investigations will address solar electricity through photovoltaic panels, solar electricity storage, solar thermal electricity, solar mobility and electric vehicles.

 Students will also compare other renewable resources and will be able to critically analyze and discuss the intimate relationships between energy, ecology, economy, politics, and society.

Finally this course could be a springboard for discussing career opportunities in the domain of alternative energy development and applications to minimize the abuse of the natural resources and the constant environmental degradation. 

This is a student-centered, project-based class. The course objectives will be accomplished by the students’ reliance on a variety of resources such as books, magazines, periodicals, and on-line research. Many of the included topics will be associated with the marine environment and marine mobility (e.g. desalination of ocean water, water heating and cooling, photovoltaic and wind). Students are required to construct many products such as solar distillers, solar cookers, solar water heaters, solar house models, solar food dehydrators, small motors machines, solar cars, and solar boats. Students also participate in two major programs: Contemporary Issues In Science (CIIS) and Annual Solar Celebration the Sky is the Limit.

The Solar Energy course requires mathematical skills of at least algebra I, and understanding of the scientific process, investigation and research. The course requires a term paper based on a long-term research project, and the construction of at least two major solar products.

SOLAR I: COURSE REQUIREMENT AND CLASSROOM PROCEDURE

Annual Fee: $12.00

Instructional Materials: one 2” 3-ring binder, notebook papers and dividers, graph papers, colored and regular pens and pencils, scientific calculator, and a ruler.

Evaluation: Grades will reflect an overall evaluation of the student's performance in the following areas: tests, quizzes, homework, Classwork, projects, class participation, notebook, and lab reports. Class participation evaluation is given every day.

Tests: Tests usually counts as three letter grades; they usually cover one or more chapters.

Quizzes: they may be given at any time; they are usually short and may cover homework, class discussion or a laboratory investigation.

Grading Scale:

Homelearning Policy: Homeworks will be assigned in a regular basis. They may be short-term or long-term assignment. Homework evaluation will vary with the length and the depth of the assignment. All assignments should be completed by due date. Homeworks are very important. They increase students’ academic achievement, expand their horizons, and teach them responsibility as well as self-discipline and independence. It is an integral part of the learning process. They contribute to the continuity and they reinforce understanding of the concepts learned at school.      
All homework assignments and regular classwork must be typed or neatly and legibly written in either blue or black ink.

Classwork, participation, and notebook: A daily plan will be written on the board. Students are required to take notes on a daily basis. All notes should be dated and have a title. Notebook for classwork and homework will be randomly checked during each quarter. Completeness, neatness and quality are a must for excellent grade.

Lab Reports: Lab investigations are an integral part of this course. Reading and design of the lab is a must for a good performance. Laboratory grades will usually consist of three letter grades: one assigned for the pre-lab questions or experimental design, one for the lab work and one for the actual complete lab report.

***Absences and make-up policy: All classwork, homework and laboratory information will be posted on the bulletin board. If absent, it is the student’s responsibility to check the board or have a friend get him/her the missed information. I urge every student to develop a " network" of friends to get assignments on time. Upon return to school, all missed assignments should be completed within a week. I will assign one day after school for make-up tests, quizzes and labs.
To compensate for class participation grade, when absent, the student could do one of the following:
1. Contact a friend and learn about what has been covered during his/her absence. Write a summary describing the main materials that were discussed or learned during that time.
2. Read an article about energy or solar energy from any of the solar magazines available in the classroom. Write a comprehensive summary about it and include reflection and comments on the article.
If the student fails to do one of these two options, the class participation grade for the time missed will be zero.

Academic Integrity is expected: The penalty for plagiarism or cheating is an automatic ZERO for the assignment, notification to parents, and full implementation of the disciplinary routine specified in most recent M_DCPS Code of Student Conduct. The first infraction carries a minimum penalty of Parent Notification and Referral to Administration.

STUDENT SUCCESS CODE

1.  Be present, on time, and prepared to work.

2.  Listen and follow directions the first time they are given.

3.  Respect other people and their property.

4. Work at all time to the best of your ability.

Following these simple codes will guarantee you and all your classmates an excellent educational climate that you deserve. Failure to observe these rules will result in a low conduct grade, detention, and/or parent contact.  Continuous disruption will be referred to the assistant principal.

Conduct Grades:

0 - 1 conduct cut per quarter  =  A
2 - 3 conduct cuts per quarter =  B
4 - 5 conduct cuts per quarter =  C
6 - 7 conduct cuts per quarter =  D
8 or more conduct cuts per quarter =  F

*  Conduct cuts are given for misbehavior by not following one or more rules of the "Student Success Code" and/or have unexcused tardy or absences.

Looking forward for an exciting, productive, fun and very successful year.

Wafa Khalil, Ph. D.

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I, _________________________ , have read and understood the information provided above in the “Course Objectives, the “Class Requirement and Procedures”, and the “Student Success Code”.

Parent/Guardian signature ______________________ Student's signature ____________________

Date _____________________