Wind Energy Case Study

This is your chance.  Based on the characteristics identified yesterday from the Cape Wind Project, you now have a chance to locate a wind farm somewhere in the WDCCSD district.

Your possible evidence includes:

Wind Maps   (You need to examine and put into table format)


Wind Calculator  You need to decide on a specific turbine between 800 kW and 2000 kW and test it for at least 4 locations at a height someplace between 150 ft and 200 ft.  Show the data collected in a table format.


CREATE a poster that details the best location, in your opinion, based on the data and the factors presented in class.  Attach your data sheets and group information to the back.

Bear Creek Wind Farm

Watch the movie clips found here on April 19.

Tomorrow we will be finishing the solar ovens.  Someday this week, we will try them out.  We also will be working on wind energy.

Solar Energy

Today, your goal is to take notes about PASSIVE and ACTIVE solar energy.  As you go, think carefully.  Tomorrow you will be bringing materials to class to build a solar device.  You will be able to either use a solar cell (you can get one at Walmart by disassembling one of the solar yard stakes for about $3)  to make a motor move or build a solar oven.  I will provide paint and glue.  YOU need to provide everything else.


ACTIVE SOLAR CELLS  
When you get done with this post, write a 2-4 sentence summary about what a solar cell is and does.


PASSIVE SOLAR

Solar Cooking

What would you use for a cover, a reflector, and insulation?  Work with one or two people to generate a list of solar oven materials you need,and read the following.


What happens when solar energy strikes an object?
Here are three possibilities: it may be transmitted through the object, the object may reflect the
solar energy, or the object may absorb it. Most objects do all three, but some are better at each
than others.
It is useful knowledge to understand how different materials transmit, reflect and absorb solar
radiation. For instance, in the case of a solar cell, it is important to coat the surface with a
material that is a poor reflector—we want as much light as possible to enter the cell.
Accordingly, creating comfortable, well-lit homes, schools, and offices requires an
understanding of which building materials transmit, reflect, and absorb solar radiation. (After
experiencing this lesson you may even begin to select the color and texture of new clothing
purchases depending on the strength of sunlight during the seasons!) For your solar cooker,
choosing materials based on their ability to transmit, reflect and absorb is important and may
make a big difference in your cooking success.

Did this reading change your ideas?

What properties of transmission, reflection, and absorption of light would you look for in the
materials used to build a solar cooker? (For example, should your cover be a better transmitter,
reflector or absorber?) Make a materials list for the three (3) parts of your solar cooker and
explain your reasons for choosing them.


Cover (Glazing)

Insulation

Reflector

Hand in your sheets from yesterday to Melissa.  See you Friday!

Footprints you leave on the Earth

Nitrogen

Carbon

Here's the Question:  If it's not a big deal, will you make changes even if you don't believe it?

The Perils of Climate Change Opinion

Today, you will be asked to take a look at the issue of climate change.  To do this, you will need to find two print resources and two media resources on each side of the debate.  In addition, you must watch at least ONE clip from Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth and ONE clip from an opponent of global change.  As you do this, you will need to keep track of a) the arguments and b) the quality of the resource being used.  Some of the places below may help you in your search (they are not highlighted as links because I want you to be purposeful in your searching....copy or paste these into the browser, as desired.


Keep track of your URLs as you go

blogs.denverpost.com/eletters/2010/03/24/in-defense-of-climate-science-and-scientists-2-letters
mediamatters.org/research/200911230052
www.chevron.com/globalissues/climatechange/?gclid=COaxn8TH1qACFQwhDQodd1j5ug
www.epa.gov/methane
www.eso.org/sci/libraries/lisa3/beckmanj.html
www.foxnews.com/opinion/2009/11/24/john-lott-climate-change-emails-copenhagen
www.globalwarminghoax.com/news.php
www.gsfc.nasa.gov/topstory/20011207iceage.html
www.pbs.org/now/science/climatedebate.html
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080528140255.htm
www.theatlanticwire.com/features/view/feature/Glenn-Beck-Climate-Change-Believer-821
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_e92-1C2K0

How energy transfer affects weather

Jet Stream

Microclimate

Jet Stream 2


Water effects


Air is matter

Consequences of Plate Tectonics (earthquakes are scary)

Throughout this unit, we are collecting information to write a story that tells kids about the geology of the earth.  As we have seen in the last 6 months, earthquakes can be really scary, although not always deadly.  Your goal today is to find out all you can about plate tectonics, earthquakes, and fault lines.

Learn about the types of faults (we will discuss this on Wednesday, and watch it in class again):



Watch the animations at http://www.wwnorton.com/college/geo/egeo/animations/ch2.htm#3  For each of the 11 animations, write the name of the topic, and a one sentence explanation

 We want to keep track of earthquakes and use seismology tools to measure this.  Look for patterns and find out where earthquakes are happening at http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/qed/

Find particulars at Exploratorium

•   What is seismology?
•   What are P and S waves?
•   How can we build buildings that can withstand an earthquake?
•   What is retrofitting?
•   Why are there so many sites for live eye tracking?

IF YOU DO THIS CORRECTLY, it will take all block.  There's lots to discover, think about, and discuss with a partner.  When you get done, you should have 2-4 pages of notes, sketches, and ideas.  When we get it done, we'll need to go on to our next step:  talking with kids.

Tweet any questions to me; quiz is postponed until Wednesday.