Megan Greene and Kristen Burnside ETES 2320, Exercise 6 February 25, 2014 LERATO COOKS UP A PLAN

Background Information Green Engineering: the field of engineering concerned with designing technologies that have minimal impact on the environment Engineering Design Process: the steps that engineers use to design something to solve a problem Technology: any thing, system, or process that people create and use to solve a problem Resources: the materials used to create technology; can be local or imported, abundant or sparse Tikologo: word for the environment

Story Main Characters: Lerato: the narrator of the story; she takes care of her sibling but dreams of going to the university Tsoane: Lerato’s older friend that has returned from the university where she studies green engineering Lerato’s younger siblings: help Lerato through the engineering design process Grandmother: wants Lerato to go to the university and study engineering Context Takes place in an African city called Nata Village contains houses called “Rondavels”, made of rocks, soil, branches, and grass Technology and electricity is only found in the big cities

Summary Lerato and her siblings typically have to collect firewood to cook their food Tsoane, a family friend, returns from the university and tells them about her studies in green engineering Lerato becomes interested in her discussion of solar energy and wants to try using a solar oven to cook food Lerato thinks about the impacts on the environment and the resources that she uses With her siblings, she goes through the engineering design process to create and test a solar oven Lerato decides that she wants to go to the university, study engineering, and come back to help Nata

Activity: Design a Solar Oven 1.Build Your Solar Oven: Cut a flap in the top of the shoebox and line it with foil. Cover the hole in the lid with clear plastic. Seal all holes in the box and place the bowl in the middle. 2.Ask and Imagine Materials: Test different insulators. ex) foil, leaves, newspaper, etc. Think about the impact on the environment. Choose one of the materials and test it; record the temperature inside. 3.Plan and Create Your Design: Based on your tests, choose a material or combination of materials to use. Draw a plan for your oven. Prepare the S’more. 4.Improve Your Solar Oven Based on Your Results

Critique Story Names may be confusing and distracting for young children Good definitions for green engineering and the engineering design process Some of the discussions about engineering seemed forced Would be appropriate for fourth or fifth grade students Activity Kids may need assistance with cutting the box Assembly was fairly easy May take time to see results Would work best on a hot, summer day Follow up with discussion about green materials People may steal your oven!