Background Knowledge: Earth Layers, Orbits, Atoms
Before we could start designing our new science building, we needed to know about the ground underneath. To start we learned about the crust and how to drill through it. We found out that the crust can range in thickness from 3 miles to 30 miles. As this might not seem that thick, the crust is extremely difficult to drill because it gets hotter and hotter the farther you reach. Below the crust is the mantel which is a mix of hot rock that varies from cold magma to hot magma. Next is the core which is so hot it is consider a liquid but is under so much pressure it exist as a solid.
Now that we now know what is under us we needed to learn about how the solar system worked. The way we did this was by builing a model. In our model we represented the first 4 rocky planets with 3 facts about each, orbit time in earth days, orbit distance, and distance from the sun. We learned that all the planets and different and the reasons they are different.
Finally we needed to zoom way in for atoms. We learned about subatomic particles and how anything is not touching. With subatomic particles we found out the charatiscis between different materials. How soild materials have less energy than gas materials. With all of this knowledge then we could start designing.
Now that we now know what is under us we needed to learn about how the solar system worked. The way we did this was by builing a model. In our model we represented the first 4 rocky planets with 3 facts about each, orbit time in earth days, orbit distance, and distance from the sun. We learned that all the planets and different and the reasons they are different.
Finally we needed to zoom way in for atoms. We learned about subatomic particles and how anything is not touching. With subatomic particles we found out the charatiscis between different materials. How soild materials have less energy than gas materials. With all of this knowledge then we could start designing.
Day lighting:
As we were designing the science building we needed to be able to incorporate day light into the model. The way we did this was by making a 1000 square foot test house which had many different types of lighting, some included were windows, skylights, and clerestory windows. Below is our model 1000 square foot house.
During our testing of the house we found that clerestory windows at an angle of 25 degrees, windows facing south, west, and east, and skylights are the best lighting techniques. With Clerestory windows at 25 degrees it allows direct winter light to flow in but in the summer it blocks the direct light for a cooler classroom. Windows not facing north are the best because in the northern hemisphere the sun is never facing from the north.
Energy Justifaction
With today's growing population the need for clean and renewable energy is coming at a higher demand but the best way to solve an energy crisis is to reduce the amount of energy each person needs. Some ways to save energy is to low energy light bulbs, using natural light to light and heat your home, and using energy efficient appliances. But after going through to steps to save energy, then we need to know ways to make energy and what ways work for us. Below is a document containing some of the most common way to make energy.
San Marin New Science Building Design
The design my team and I came up with is a revolutionary achievement in architecture. For years people have focused only on square building designs but no where in nature do you see squares. That's why my team and I decided to build a circular building. The building contains 10 classrooms, one circular hallway, a courtyard in the center, and a common prep area. Below is an picture of our design
Content:
- Gravitation: F=G(m1 x m2)/d^2 - The law of gravitation is an equation that can calculate the force of gravity between any two objects given their mass and the distance between their centers of gravity.
- Clerestory Window - A window placed near the top of a wall to allow direct light in. Can be angled to allow only winter light in.
- Living roof - A roof that has plants usually used for visual affects.
- Solar angles - Since the earth orbits the sun on a tilt this means at different parts of the year the sun is at different angles. For example in Novato the sun in the winter is about 30 degrees and in the summer it is at about 70 degrees.
Reflection:
This project was one of the most fun projects so far in STEM. During the project I had a couple of strengths. The first strength I had was the independence I had. For the last build day of our models both of my group members were not present. With this I had to finish the model in only 2 periods which I achieved. The second strength I had was presion. The reason why is all of the other models were made out of cheap and ugly cardboard so I decided we need to make our model out wood which visually looked way nicer even though it was difficult to convince other group members.
Also during the project there was two weaknesses. The first weakness was our presentation which was not the greatest because I did not remember my lines. The second weakness was making executive decisions for the team. This did not work well because team members did not agree at first with the ideas.
Also during the project there was two weaknesses. The first weakness was our presentation which was not the greatest because I did not remember my lines. The second weakness was making executive decisions for the team. This did not work well because team members did not agree at first with the ideas.