Students create models of objects of their choice, giving them skills and practice in techniques used by professionals. They make sketches as they build their objects. This activity facilitates a discussion on models and their usefulness.
Student groups construct simple conductivity probes and then integrate them into two different circuits to test the probe behavior in solutions of varying conductivity (salt water, sugar water, distilled water, tap water). The activity culminates with student-designed experiments that utilize the constructed probes. The focus is to introduce students to the fabrication of the probe and expose them to two different ways to integrate the probe to obtain qualitative and quantitative measurements, while considering the application and utility of a conductivity probe within an engineering context. A provided handout guides teams through the process: background reading and questions; probe fabrication including soldering; probe testing and data gathering (including circuit creation on breadboard); probe connection to Arduino (including circuit creation and code entry) and a second round of testing and data gathering; design and conduct their own lab experiments that use the probes; online electrolyte/nonelectrolyte reading, short video, comprehension check and analysis questions.
In association with rock and mineral ID tables, this lab introduces students to basic rocks and minerals via grouping and comparison, rather than as individual samples. I use this lab in my environmental geology course, where we don't have enough lab time to examine each set of rocks and minerals separately, but students need a basic familiarity with these materials and a context in which to place them. I find these groupings teach them how to look at rocks and minerals and give them the cursory experience identifying geologic materials necessary to go on successfully in the course.
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Students will learn about the different types of bridges and how they work. The lesson also includes a maker component where the students build a bridge.
Responding to Climate Change & Ecosystem Disruption
Word Count: 97221
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This assignment, depending on the level and depth of implementation, seeks to challenge students by asking them to look beyond "greenwashed" advertisements and buzzwords to grapple with what sustainability means, whether it can be achieved, and what kinds of questions communities must confront in a search for sustainability.
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Module 3: Collaboration
Short Description:
Collaboration is the third module in this course, Building Sustainable Communities: The Impact of Engagement, and highlights the importance of collaboration or working together, in relation to sustainable community building. The first lesson within this module will introduce you to the different terminology associated with collaboration and we will explain why it is so imperative when it comes to navigating the contemporary problems our communities face. In the second lesson we will examine how collaboration occurs and then explore the qualities that are important for collaboration. Lesson three will help to answer questions such as, what makes some collaboration efforts fruitful and fun, while others are painful and unproductive? Lastly, in the final lesson we will provide you with three real-world case studies that address the benefits and challenges of collaboration. Overall, this module will provide with you additional building blocks required to navigate along the path of this course through the remaining two modules.
Word Count: 8346
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Module 5: Creating Connections for the Future
Short Description:
The fifth module in this course Building Sustainable Communities: The Impact of Engagement connects the building blocks you’ve learned about throughout Modules 1 to 4.presents building sustainable communities and provides a conclusion to the course. Lesson one highlights ‘making connections to engage’. This lesson discusses how connections between previous core components help to build sustainable communities in the real world and how different types of community engagement are appropriate in different settings. The final lesson of the course presents future considerations for building sustainable communities and how to move knowledge into action for a sustainable future. At the end of this module you will have naviaged the full course pathway.
Word Count: 6211
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Module 2: Information Gathering and Sharing
Short Description:
Information Gathering and Sharing is the second module in this course, Building Sustainable Communities: The Impact of Engagement, and highlights the importance of gathering and sharing information in order to engage with communities. The first lesson discusses why you may consider collecting community data and ethical considerations that need to be made when consultation occurs within a community. In the second lesson we will dive into methods to consider when collecting important information about community sustainability. In the third lesson we will describe Knowledge Mobilization (KMb) for you and the roles it plays in building sustainability communities. Lastly, lesson four provides case study examples of successful knowledge mobilization efforts within communities pertaining to both health and environmental research. Overall, this module will provide with you additional building blocks required to navigate along the path of this course through the remaining three modules.
Word Count: 6301
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Module 4: Monitoring and Evaluation
Short Description:
Monitoring and Evaluation is the fourth module in this course, Building Sustainable Communities: The Impact of Engagement, and highlights research and real-world experiences on the subject of monitoring and evaluation (also referred to as M&E), in relation to sustainable community building. In the first lesson we will provide you with an overview of M&E, including origins and definitions, as well as its importance for building sustainable communities. In the next lesson, the spectrum of approaches to accomplish M&E is examined, specifically we look at two opposing ends of the spectrum: conventional and participatory M&E. In the third lesson we will focus on the use of citizen science as a mechanism for building sustainable communities. Here we define citizen science, develop an understanding of how it can be used in conventional or participatory M&E, and discuss innovative tools to support it. The final lesson covers the common benefits and challenges experienced across all M&E approaches, and surfaces key tensions surrounding M&E as a field of practice and research. By the conclusion of this module, it is our hope that you are beginning to see how these pieces along the path to building sustainable communities connect.
Word Count: 12027
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Module 1: Introduction to Community Engagement
Short Description:
Introduction to Community Engagement is the first module in this course, Building Sustainable Communities: The Impact of Engagement, and it will provide you with an introduction to sustainable communities and an in-depth look at community engagement. In lesson one we will define and discuss components of sustainable communities. Lesson two will provide you with an overview of how community engagement has evolved over time. While lesson three will highlight who is involved in community engagement and different ways to ethically engage with community actors. Lastly, lesson four discusses why engaging actors is essential to navigating current challenges confronting communities. Ultimately, this first module will provide you with the foundational learning required to navigate along the path through the remaining four modules.
Word Count: 6111
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In this class, concepts of building technology and experimental methods are studied, in class and in lab assignments. Projects vary yearly and have included design and testing of strategies for daylighting, passive heating and cooling, and improved indoor air quality via natural ventilation. Experimental methods focus on measurement and analysis of thermally driven and wind-driven airflows, lighting intensity and glare, and heat flow and thermal storage. Experiments are conducted at model and full scale and are often motivated by ongoing field work in developing countries.
This book has been written as a useful companion for students in high school, vocational, and higher education to understand the world of work and how to establish a career. The lessons in this book are also useful to other readers, especially those that are in the early stages of their careers or those looking to transition into other careers - something that will happen much more frequently in the coming years. This book brings together scholarly research in careers and employability in an engaging manner for readers to gain a broader understanding of career motivations and identity blended together with practical advice and guidance on career management strategies.
This video was made possible by a grant from Achieving the Dream. Through this grant Bay College will create degree pathways using Open Educational Resources. Open Educational Resources are resources licensed with a Creative Commons license type.
Students learn how to build simple piezoelectric generators to power LEDs. To do this, they incorporate into a circuit a piezoelectric element that converts movements they make (mechanical energy) into electrical energy, which is stored in a capacitor (short-term battery). Once enough energy is stored, they flip a switch to light up an LED. Students also learn how much (surprisingly little) energy can be converted using the current state of technology for piezoelectric materials.
This resource is designed to help high school students build a positive online presence. Students will explore ways to use social media in professionally responsible ways, create an online portfolio, and review the legal and privacy issues surrounding an online presence.
Everyday we are surrounded by circuits that use "in parallel" and "in series" circuitry. Complicated circuits designed by engineers are composed of many simpler parallel and series circuits. During this activity, students build a simple series circuit and discover the properties associated with series circuits.
Burn tests are one method used to identify fiber content of fabric. Throughout this lesson, students will work in groups to learn about burn tests and conduct a lab where they complete burn tests to identify fibers. This lesson is designed to take one 50-minute class period, but could be drawn out to take two 50-minute class periods. To grade this assignment, I like to use their justifications for why they think it was a certain fiber, instead of just assessing if they selected the right fiber for the sample. Consider teaching the following lessons alongside Burn Tests. Each of these have a textile science focus. Microscopy Fiber ID Lab - https://oercommons.org/courseware/lesson/106763Solubility Fiber ID Lab - https://oercommons.org/courseware/lesson/106762
Throughout this project, the students will complete a burrito-style pillowcase. This project will take about five days (50-minute class periods) for students to complete. Everyday, students will begin with setting up their sewing machines and setting goals for the day. Students will follow the written and video instructions to complete the project. At the end of each day, students will reflect upon what they accomplished and what they hope to improve upon for the following day. As there are written and video instructions, students can move through the project at their own pace. This project works well for middle school or as a project to refresh students on how to use the sewing machine and construction terminology in high school. (In my classroom, I give students the choice to complete the PJ Pants or the Pillowcase Project. If they choose to make a pillowcase, I have them make two - one for themself and one for a foster kid.)
Short Description:
This book introduces students to Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and email management. The text covers basic concepts of creating word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation materials for the workplace.
Long Description:
This book introduces students to Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and email management. The text covers basic concepts of creating word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation materials for the workplace.
Word Count: 68829
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