Home-Learning: Reports, Presentations, and Tests

August 24 – October 28, 2009

August 2009:

1. Due Thursday, Aug 27: Describe at least 5 different possible projects or products you want to work on during the 1st semester. (1 grade)

2. Due Monday August 31: How to write a research paper or experimental report APA format.

Check various resources, (books, web sites, articles) on how to write a scientific research paper -APA format. Write general APA guidelines with short description of the following sections:
Title page, heading, abstract, in-text citation, main body (various sections), references, tables and figures
Give one example on how to write the reference information from different resources such as: books, magazines articles, web sites, newspaper, personal interviews, etc..)(1 grade)

September 2009:

2. Due Thursday Sep 3:  News flash: check the following three URL:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8200680.stm

http://planetearth.nerc.ac.uk/news/story.aspx?id=505

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/antarctica/

(Note: in order to read the last article, click on the One of Antarcticas largest glaciers thinning four times faster than ten years ago).

Read one of the three articles describing the suspected effect of global warming on Antarctica. Write a news flash to be read and presented to the class in one min. The news flash should include very brief summary and your reflection, and comment. Do not forget to mention the reference information.(1 grade)

3. Due Thursday September 10: Research one of your favorite activities you want to work on the first quarter. Write a brief description of the project, its importance and relation to energy; materials needed to accomplish the project; design to scale if the project is a structure. (2 grade)

 

 

 

Long-Term Assignments

1. Term Paper: Sizing a PV System On Household

 

Sizing a PV System for your Household

How to design a photovoltaic system on your own household?

Write a complete and comprehensive APA formated paper to include the following:

  1. Cover page
  1. Abstract
  1. Introduction (for example include the importance of using alternative energy resources, where in the U.S. solar buildings are found? What are some of the initiatives programs to apply solar photovoltaic on buildings and residential housing? Find out how much we can reduce CO2 and other pollutants by using alternatives resources).
  1. Description of your household (orientation, surrounding, living space, number of people, major appliances, others; how many kWh you consume per year, what is your monthly and daily kWh average consumption…).
  1. Conservation and efficiency Research various energy conservation measures might be used to reduce energy consumption. Describe what kind of major modifications and changes you can apply to your household to reduce the energy consumption to a minimum without compromising your life style. Estimate (based on your research) how many (kWh) you could (hypothetically) reduce your energy consumption by applying these modifications.
  1. PV system on your household roof: Design a PV system to fit your household energy consumption after applying your energy conservation and efficiency techniques. How powerful is your system (how many kw)? Is it a pure interactive, hybrid or off the grid system? What is its approximate cost?
  1. PV System facts: What kind of PV panels? Watts/panel? Price/panel? How many panels? Are there other equipment needed? (e.g. inverter, batteries, power box, etc.)
  1. Analysis and Conclusion: How many years it will take to offset the cost of the PV system? Is it worth it ? Why? Why not? What is the most cost effective way to install PV system on houses?....
  1. References (6 minimum)

The final paper (10 grades) should be 12 to 15 pages, APA format, double space (including table, photos, graphs, design, etc.). Due Wednesday December 9, 2009. No late reports are accepted.

Helpful websites:

APA Formatting

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

Zero Energy Homes, conservation, Energy Stars

http://www.hopperdesignllc.com/solarhomes/content/Home.php

http://www.zero-energyplans.com/

http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/SolarHomes/plansps.htm

http://www.ecomall.com/biz/conserv.htm

Helpful books:

The Solar Electric House: Energy for the Environmentally-Responsive, Energy-Independent Home (Paperback). By: Steven J. Strong

Solar Energy Houses: Strategies Technologies Examples. By: Anne-Grete Hestnes, Robert Hastings, and Biarne Saxhop

The Simply Solar House: Green Building on a Budget. By: Richard Crume and Yoko Crume