The Problem of Plastic Trash Islands

Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
5-8
Estimated Activity Length:
2 hours 30 min
Learning Goal(s):
  1. Students will read and watch various informational texts and resources and take structured notes to support comprehension.
  2. Students will conduct independent research on a current event
  3. Students will create a google slide show or other presentation and present their findings and ideas.
  4. Students will practice speaking and listening skills.
Relevant Common Core Standard(s):

This lesson is designed for 3 days, 50-minute sessions. The students will watch videos and take 2 column notes to guide independent research. The students will examine different solutions that are already being tried and experimental solutions that have not yet been implemented. The students will research the problem and then develop a Google... View full description >>

Adrift in a Sea of Plastic Unit Plan

Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
5-8
Estimated Activity Length:
10 hours
Learning Goal(s):

·       Students will design 3D models using Tinkercad software.

·       Students will define the problem of plastic trash islands.

·       Students will describe possible solutions to the problem of plastic trash islands.

·       Students will research the plastic trash problem and create google slideshows the problem and how we might fix it.

·       Students will investigate different ways to build structures that both float and hold weight.

·       Students will build a model of a device that could collect plastic from the ocean.

·       Students will test the models they build.

·       Students will communicate their results from scientific inquiry to identify factors that are important to optimizing the design of the plastic collecting device.

Relevant Common Core Standard(s):

In this unit students will investigate the phenomena of plastic trash islands floating in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The students will work to solve the problem of plastic trash islands through the engineering and design process. Using 3D printers, students will design plastic collection models powered with renewable energy. The students... View full description >>

TinkerCAD: Introduction to 3D Printing

Average Rating:
0
Intended Grade Level(s):
5-8
Estimated Activity Length:
4 hours 10 min
Learning Goal(s):
  1. Students will complete several computer aligned design tutorials, lessons, and one project to fully understand and implement unique 3D printed designs.
Relevant Common Core Standard(s):

This lesson is designed to span 5 days with 50-minute sections. After the introduction day, each day the students work toward mastery on the TinkerCAD tutorial online to learn how to create printable 3D models. At the end of the 4 days the students will have created a small 3D model to specifications to print on the 3D printer. View full description >>

Pittsburgh, PA -- Second Round Single-Day Workshop

Location:
Homestead, PA
Grade Level:
2-8

This project was made possible with funding from the Arconic Foundation. Arconic Foundation’s mission is to support non-profit partners who advance STEM Education and Workforce Development in Arconic communities. This is the second time that Pittsburgh has been a location for an Arconic workshop with CE.  CE co-planned with workshop with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit to get a sense of how the initial workshop had impacted their curriculum and hands-on instruction.

This workshop was the second visit that CE has made to Pittsburgh as part of this cycle of funding from Arconic. Thus,... Read full project narrative >>

Seattle Out of School Time Educator Workshop

Location:
Seattle, WA
Grade Level:
K-8

On March 5 and 6, 18 Seattle OST educators, mostly from Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, participated in two 3.5 hour trainings with CE, focusing on how they can engage mostly k-5 club members in exploring energy, electricity and clean energy topics. Together they learned about energy context, focusing on industry needs for critical skills development aligned with the BGCA mission. They then explored electricity and circuitry through toy hacking and scaffolded solar architecture and community design activities that blend hands-on science and STEAM. On day 2, they learned about the... Read full project narrative >>

Pittsburgh, PA - Extended Two-Day Workshop

Location:
Homestead, PA
Grade Level:
K-12

This project was made possible with funding from the Arconic Foundation. Arconic Foundation’s mission is to support non-profit partners who advance STEM Education and Workforce Development in Arconic communities. This is the second time that Pittsburgh has been a location for an Arconic workshop with CE.  As it is the second round of delivery for this region, a focus on expanding the initial impact was made and the workshop was extended to two days.  CE co-planned with workshop with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit to get a sense of how the initial workshop had impacted their curriculum and... Read full project narrative >>

Clark Public Utilities Renewable Energy Educator Workshop 2019

Location:
Vancouver, WA
Grade Level:
4-12

On October 26, 2019, a diverse group of 16 educators from 5 districts in Clark County, WA came together to explore clean energy topics at Clark Public Utilities in Vancouver, WA. Educators spanned grade bands and subjects, with general studies, library science, English language design, and engineering educators joining more traditional science educators. Together, they learned about the state of renewable energy in Clark County and Washington through a presentation by Clark Public Utilities staff. Using best-practice science inquiry methods, they explored energy and electricity... Read full project narrative >>

New Haven Clean Energy Educator Workshop

Location:
North Haven, CT
Grade Level:
1-12
On October 2, 2019, 10 educators from southern and central Connecticut came together to explore clean energy topics at the Energize CT Center in North Haven. Together, they learned about Connecticut’s role in clean energy and advanced manufacturing, with a focus on offshore wind energy development in the Atlantic Ocean. They explored wind energy inquiry and engineering design as well as fundamentals of both energy and electricity. Educators represented 6 districts across Connecticut and grades from 1-12, as well as informal education. Each school left with a science kit allowing them to... Read full project narrative >>

Snohomish PUD Microgrid Education

Location:
Everett, WA
Grade Level:
PK-12
Technology Type:

This workshop, funded through BPA in partnership with Snohomish PUD, was an effort to reach teachers in the vicinity of the new Arlington Microgrid Project, completed by the utility in 2019. This microgrid is intended to serve as an educational tool for the surrounding area, having an educational center scheduled to be completed in 2020 to allow for site visits by the general public.  This two-day engagement took place on July 25 and 26, 2019, reaching 20 teachers from 14 different schools.

On day one, teachers focused primarily on acquiring content background, engaging in a series... Read full project narrative >>

Clean Energy Denton Educator Workshop

Location:
Denton, TX
Grade Level:
3-6
On August 2, 2019 11 educators from Denton ISD came together to explore renewable energy concepts through inquiry and hands on investigation. The workshop was hosted by the City of Denton’s Sustainability Office at the Central Library.
The day began with CE providing educators with a context of the advanced energy economy and career opportunities available to their students. Educators then engaged in a mini science inquiry unit exploring solar circuitry phenomena through best practice inquiry techniques, including modeling, and hands-on investigation. The City of Denton then... Read full project narrative >>