1. What resources can we use to design a house to increase energy efficiency?
6th grade
Lisa Burden, Amanda Chapman,Sandy Frazier, Cole Kaliher, Idot Louis, JaNece Simmons

2.
The Earthship

3. Key Knowledge and Understanding
6.P.3A.1 Analyze and interpret data to describe the properties and compare sources of different forms of energy (including mechanical, electrical, chemical, radiant, and thermal).
6.P.3A.2 Develop and use models to exemplify the conservation of energy as it is transformed from kinetic to potential (gravitational and elastic) and vice versa.
6.P.3A.3 Construct explanations for how energy is conserved as it is transferred and transformed in electrical circuits.
6.P.3A.4 Develop and use models to exemplify how magnetic fields produced by electrical energy flow in a circuit is interrelated in electromagnets, generators, and simple electrical motors.
6.P.3A.5 Develop and use models to describe and compare the directional transfer of heat through convection, radiation, and conduction.
6.P.3A.6 Design and test devices that minimize or maximize heat transfer by conduction, convection, or radiation.
6.P.3B.1 Plan and conduct controlled scientific investigations to provide evidence for how the design of simple machines (including levers, pulleys, inclined planes) helps transfer mechanical energy by reducing the amount of force required to do work.
6.P.3B.2 Design and test solutions that improve the efficiency of a machine by reducing the input energy (effort) or the amount of energy transferred to the surrounding environment as it moves an object.

4. Driving and Essential Questions
Driving Question:
What resources can we use to design a house to increase energy efficiency?
Supporting Essential Questions
What is energy?
What forms of energy do we use on a daily basis?
How can energy be transferred from one material to the next?
What is the law of conservation of energy state?
What energy transformations may you find present in your home?
How can we store and conduct heat within our home?
Are you going to heat your house with conduction, convection, or radiation?
How much work will it take to build your house?
What alternative sources of energy do you use to generate electricity?
What simple machines can be found in your home? How do they play a role in making work easier?

5. Integration Across Content Areas
Simple Machines:
Social Studies:
Egyptian Pyramids
Math:
Calculating the mechanical advantage, Measurement, Calculating work
Electrical Circuits:
ELA: If I Were an Electron by Noel Wilson

6. Resources On-site people, facilities: Equipment: Materials:
Science Lab
Equipment:
Document camera, smartboard, laptops or tablets, internet connection
Materials:
Blueprint paper, ruler, meter sticks, pencils, paper, markers, color pencils, technology ( tablets and computers), Earth spaceship article (reference), discussion posts (Nearpod/ Today’s Meet)
Community Resources:
Sara Rajca (Solar Power Council), Riverbank Zoo Solar Panels
Dr. Jochen Lauterback, USC

7. Success Skills Critical Thinking/Problem Solving:
Design and create a home that displays energy conservation using renewable resources
Self management:
Make sense of how houses and other man made products are producing high concentrations of Co2 which is causing climate change.
Make sense of the law of conservation of energy.

8. Artifacts of Learning
Student journaling (good for reflection and sharing)
Video/photo progression of home assembly using alternative sources of energy
Complete model of the house (The Final Product)
Blueprint of the house
An acrostic poem or a Rap (as an explanation of what was done)
Creation of a 3D model (for early finishers)
Group video presentation

9. Presentation Students could present to: The Solar Council
The Principal
The Class