In this class we will be exploring clean energy and creativity. We will be doing some experiments centered around renewable energy, and then we will focus specifically on solar energy. Our end goal will be to attend the Energy Whiz Olympics as a team/teams with our machines/inventions. The Olympics are held at the Florida Solar Energy Center on the second Saturday in May. Based on student interest we would choose from the following three events: Critter Comfort Cottage: This is a real-world, engineering and communications challenge, which showcases energy efficient building design and construction, based on small critters. (no actual critters needed 😉 )
Energy Transfer Machine: A competition that was developed to provide opportunities for students to explore hydrogen power through a hands-on engineering component. The students show understanding of hydrogen through a creative “timing” apparatus built with several ‘Rube Goldberg’ type steps.
Solar Energy Cook-Off: The Solar Energy Cook-off is a solar cooker competition. The teams demonstrate the performance of their solar heating devices, that they have designed and built by cooking an original dish of food created for the competition. Each solar cooker and recipe is judged by a panel of experts.
Scheduled Classes
Start Date | Stop Date | Day(s) of Week | Class Time |
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January 6, 2017 | May 5, 2017 | Friday | 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM |