!Mr. Hinson's 1st semester ecology class is scheduled to begin their EcoTecture project sometime in mid-October. In the meantime, please note that the project structure and organization is being revised. Please email Gary Hinson, Dan Dunlap, or Margaret Christle with any questions. !Project Description: This project is designed to encourage us to consider the impact we make on our environment and to explore ways in which we can lessen the negativity of this impact through the design of a sustainable living home that utilizes recycleable materials and uses alternative energy and water/sewage systems. !!Project Tools -*Design Log>Fall2003/Design Log*: While working on this project, you will maintain a design log to record your research and ideas. This Log will have 4 sections: --Daily Research Journal --Ideas/Brainstorms --Research Strategies --House Specifications (Do we want links to sections of design log??) -Project Resources: --*Suggested Websites>Resources* (link to Trackstar) --Textbook (need title and appliable page numbers) --*Class notes>Teacher/Class Notes* (create link to Gary's notes) --*Library Reserve Shelf>Teacher/Library Reserve Shelf* (create link to annotated bibliography) -Drawing Tool (need name and create link) !!The Research Process: 1. Background Information. Before you begin work on your project, you will need to do some background research. Answer the following questions in the Daily Research Journal of your *Design Log>Fall2003/Design Log* using the Project Resources. # In your own words, define sustainable living. # Explain why sustainable living is a viable alternative with at least 3 supporting reasons. # Find at least 2 examples of successful, existing sustainable living houses. Copy and paste a picture of these houses along with a brief explanation as part of your answer. Don't forget to list the sources of your information. # Find at least 3 different types of alternative energies and briefly explain how they work. Find an example of each of these types and briefly explain them. Don't forget to list the sources of your information. # Find at least 3 different water/sewage plans and briefly explain how they work. Find an example of each of these types and briefly explain them. Don't forget to list the sources of your information. *Research Skill>Teacher/Research Skill* (create link to research skill summary in For Teachers section): # Skimming a Website for useful information. #Using *Trackstar>http://trackstar.hprtec.org/* (Idea: For Teachers section links to lib. Website in my Internet Searching Skills section) 2. Ideas: In the Ideas section of your *Design Log>Fall2003/Design Log* brainstorm answers to the following questions. # What specific climates/locations would support your design? Why? # What natural/physical characteristics does your location have that you can incorporate into your design? For example, is there a river near that could be used to harness energy for your home? #What recycleable materials could you use? Why do you think these materials would be successful? # What are your ideas for providing energy to your home? What are the benefits and drawbacks of these ideas? #What are your ideas for your alternative water/sewage plan? What are the benefits and drawbacks of these ideas? #Draw a sketch of how you envision your house at this time? *Research Skill>Teacher/Research Skill* Review different types of brainstorming techniques. 3. Finding and Using Information: - In the Daily Research Journal section of your *Design Log>Fall2003/Design Log*, summarize in a brief paragraph your basic design plan at this time, including your materials and alternative water and energy sources. - Create a KWL Chart for your plan for materials, alternative water, and alternative energy. These charts can be found in the Research Strategies section of your *Design Log>Fall2003/Design Log*. Complete the first 2 sections of this chart. This chart will guide you through your research. Materials |What I know about the materials I plan to use|What I want to know|What I learned |What I know about the alt. water/sewage sys. I plan to use| What I want to know|What I learned |What I know about alt. energy source I plan to use|What I want to know| What i learned -Each day that you do research, create a dated entry in the Daily Research Journal section of your *Design Log>Fall2003/Design Log* and answer the following prompts: 1. Today I need to find information about . . . 2. A summary of the information I researched today is . . . 3. The 3 most helpful pieces of information I found today are . . . 4. How does this information help me? 5. I found this information . . . (list sources of info.) - After completing your research, fill in the last section of your KWL charts. *Research Skill>Teacher/Research Skill* #Simple Internet searching strategies. #Top Five Search Engines #Evaluating Websites #Design: 1. Using all of the information from your research, decide on a design for your house. In the House Specifications section of your *Design Log>Fall2003/Design Log* be sure to explain: # the location of your house including information about the climate, surrounding environment, and relevant physical characteristics. # a description of the recycled materials you used to build your house and why you selected these materials as the most appropriate # a description of what alternative energy source you plan to use and why you selected it as the most appropriate # a description of your water/sewage plan and why this plan is the most appropriate 2. Using the *Draw Tool>http://teacherbridge.cs.vt.edu/public/support/Glossary/Drawing* design the floor plan of your house. 3. Provide bibliography that lists the sources you used. *Research Skill>Teacher/Research Skill* Citing Sources -Use the Classroom Connect web site for citing Internet sources (*http://www.classroom.com/community/connection/howto/citeresources.jhtml*) -Use the Quick Guide (*http://www.standrews.austin.tx.us/library/WorksCited.htm*) or Writer's Guide to MLA Documentation (*http://webster.commnet.edu/mla/index.shtml*) for citing other resources. !Evaluation: Before turning in your assignment, please check off all of the following items. -My finished product fulfills the project description and requirements. -Credit is given to my sources and written in standard citation format -I am in compliance with copyright laws and fair use guidelines -My work is neat and properly identified, i.e. I have my name, date, and class on it. -I am proud to publish this work on the Teacher Bridge Website for other teachers and students to view. !For *Teacher*: -*Research Skill Summary>Teacher/Research Skill* -*Virginia Science Standards of Learning>http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Instruction/Science/sciCF.html* -*Information Power Standards>Teacher/Information Power Standards* -*Evaluation Rubric>Teacher/Evaluation Rubric* !Bibliography The Big 6. "The Big 6 Assignment Organizer for Grades 7-12." [Online] 25 November 2002. *http://www.standrews.austin.tx.us/library/Assignment%20organizer.htm*. "Web Site Evaluation Guide." [Online} 25 November 2002. *http://www.standrews.austin.tx.us/library/Web%20evaluation.htm*.