Improving the HVAC System

Tenth graders conduct an investigation of school buildings in order to find out if they comply with environmental standard guidelines. If buildings do not comply they suggest design alternatives that could be used to modify the structures.

School budgets don't have a lot of extra money, so when high schoolers propose saving the district money, everyone jumps on board. The first lesson in the series of 21 introduces the concept of an energy audit. Scholars form an...

Students discover the types of batteries and their uses. They experience static electricity by rubbing glass jars and using it to raise their hair. After discussing the importance of recycling batteries and using ones that are...

The last activity in the series of four has individuals determine steps they can take to reduce their carbon footprints and then analyze their schools' recycling programs. Through a sustainability audit, they identify how and where their...

How big is your footprint? Activity three culminates the series by having groups complete carbon footprint audits with people in their schools and/or around the districts. Groups then gather their data, create a presentation including...

Students study air pollution and design inventions to prevent indoor environment problems. In this air pollution inventions lesson plan, students read about and discuss famous inventors and inventions. Students then research indoor air...

Students explain the different heat transfer mechanisms and how they influence the building envelope. They develop ways in which the building envelope can be improved and test hypotheses about building envelope designs.

Challenge young engineers to design a one-bedroom scale house that would collect and maintain as much heat as possible. Special constraints must be adhered to, but creativity is also allowed. Diagrams and background information are...

Students study what passive solar design is for buildings and structures.  In this solar design lesson students identify passive solar design techniques.

Studnet identify examples of conduction, convection and radiation. They develop an example of a building envelope. They also describe how heat transfer mechanisms can affect home energy costs.