Construct a Model of an Energy Efficient Home https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/passive-cooling 1 

Teacher notes: Using a skills-based approach for this lesson Learning Objectives: Students will be able to: 1. Design and build a passive home on a small scale using different materials. 2. Determine appropriate materials and construction techniques to keep a building cool without using energy. 3. Think about and apply principles of engineering design. 4. Adhere to a budget for material sourcing. 5. Experience and reflect on economic inequities within our social systems. 2 

https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/blooms-taxonomy/ Teacher notes 3 

1. How do we create a model of an energy efficient home? 2. What materials are used to keep a building cool? 3. What construction techniques are used to reduce energy when building a home? Essential questions meet the following criteria: ● They stimulate ongoing thinking and inquiry. ● They're arguable, with multiple plausible answers. ● They raise further questions. ● They spark discussion and debate. ● They demand evidence and reasoning because varying answers exist. ● They point to big ideas and pressing issues. Teacher notes 4 

Teacher notes Lesson Format Teacher introduces lesson to students using an anticipatory set to engage students. Explain what the objectives are for the lesson - write them on the board and refer to them throughout the lesson. Overview: We want to tell students what the end goal is so they have something to work toward. You as the teacher will guide them to get to that goal. There is a TEACHER’S GUIDE and a STUDENT GUIDE. 5 

Teacher notes Agenda for today: 1) Students explore basic concepts such as construction and insulation. 2) Individual students sketch a prototype of their home. 3) Students are grouped and collaborate on a “Best” design. 4) Groups are assigned a budget and “purchase” the materials they need. 5) Groups assemble their prototype of an energy efficient home. 6 

Teacher notes This lesson (cont.): 6) Groups test their prototype designs against heat lamps (1, 2 or 3) for various time periods using a thermometer. 7) Groups redesign if needed and test again. 8) Extension activities include subjecting the prototype home to Typhoon Wind Test, Earthquake Test, and Flood Test. 9) Debrief with students. 10) Optional: Interdisciplinary with Language Arts or Math classes - writing and measuring. 7 

Explore Students are exploring how their design and use of materials affects the energy efficiency of their home. The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) wants students to do the science and find the answers and not have the answers given to them. Teacher notes 8 

Teacher notes Background Information The following slides contain important information and concepts to help students understand the importance of designing and constructing an energy efficient home in Taiwan. This material is provided as teacher background information; these slides may be shared with students at the start of the lesson, or alternatively students may be expected/encouraged to find this information themselves as they answer the ‘Explore’ questions at the start of the lesson/project. 9 

Radiation Radiation - thermal radiation is a result of random movements of atoms and particles in matter. The sun is an example of radiation that transfers heat. https://www.machinedesign.com/learning-resources/whats-the-difference-between/document/21834474/whats-the- difference-between-conduction-convection-and-radiation 10 

Conduction Conduction - the transfer of heat because of molecular collisions. Heat flow is from higher kinetic energy to lower kinetic energy. https://www.machinedesign.com/learning-resources/whats-the-difference-between/document/21834474/whats-the- difference-between-conduction-convection-and-radiation 11 

Convection Convection - when a fluid (air or liquid) is heated and travels away from its source, it will carry thermal energy; warmer fluids expand and rise as they become less dense; cooler fluids contract, become more dense and sink. https://www.machinedesign.com/learning-resources/whats-the-difference-between/document/21834474/whats-the- difference-between-conduction-convection-and-radiation 12 

Climate Zones https://www.greenmatters.com/p/what-climate-zone-am-i-in 13 

Climate Zones for Taiwan https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Koppen-Geiger_Map_TWN_present.svg 14 

Most energy-efficient homes have some basic elements in common: Well-constructed Tightly sealed thermal envelope Controlled ventilation Properly sized High-efficiency heating and cooling systems Energy-efficient doors Energy-efficient windows Energy-efficient appliances https://www.archdaily.com/55828/tropical-house-camarim-architects 15 

Benefits of Passive Homes - Comfort - consistent temperature; quiet, tranquility - Healthy indoor air quality - fresh air; could be filtered to reduce allergens and pollutants - Energy efficiency - lowers energy bills - Resilience - if power is lost, temperature is maintained for longer than non-passive house construction - Environmental responsibility - reduces energy demands; reduces carbon emissions https://passivehousecal.org/what-is-passive-house/ https://www.contemporist.com/this-tropical-house-is-almost-completely-open-to-the-outside/ 16 

Designing a House in Warmer Regions on Earth Consider the region’s climate Design the house that will be responsive to the weather Consider: Orientation of the house Solar shading Passive ventilation Types and placements of windows and doors Construction of materials for roof and walls Incorporate outdoor spaces for functionality 17 

Most of Taiwan is considered subtropical. The most southern part of the island is considered tropical. 18 

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Site Orientation W W E E 20 

Shading 21 

Ventilation 22 

Ventilation 23 

Wall Materials and Construction Thick walls = heat release inside at night Lightweight = cools quickly 24 

Roof Design Heat is trapped Heat is released 25 

Exterior spaces 26 

Water and Energy Efficiency Energy efficient appliances 27 

Water and Energy Efficiency Collectin g and storing rainwater from roofs for irrigation. 28 

Building material choice R-value - the insulating material’s resistance to conductive heat flow The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness R-value depends on the type of insulation, its thickness, and its density 29 

Zone 1 is high humidity summer and warm winter. Zone 2 is warm humid summer and warm winter. 30 

Heat (or Thermal) Bridges A heat bridge is a high conducting material that allows heat to travel from a warm zone a cool zone, thus reducing the effectiveness of R-values. There should be careful consideration for materials when planning the design of an energy efficient home. In colder climates, internal heat will find the path of least resistance, and will always want to transfer to the colder side, resulting in more energy needed to maintain room temperature. In warmer climates heat will travel from outside to inside the building over a heat bridge. Up to one- third of a building’s energy could be lost through thermal bridges in structures without thermal breaks. demo 31 

Heat Bridges https://www.fabreeka.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Fabreeka-TIM_June2016.pdf Companies are beginning to build materials that offset the lost of heat via a thermal bridge. A company that manufactures materials that have a low thermal transfer of energy is in Tainan. Note: R=1/C 32 

References Bloom’s Taxonomy. (2023, March 26). Vanderbilt University. https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/blooms-taxonomy/ Fabreeka TIM therma structural break. (2023, March 27). Fabreeka TIM. https://www.fabreeka.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Fabreeka- TIM_June2016.pdfMasterly the Dutch in Milano. (2023, April 20). Arch Daily. https://www.archdaily.com/55828/tropical-house- camarim-architects How to determine what climate zone you live in. (2023, March 27). Greenmatters.com. https://www.greenmatters.com/p/what-climate-zone- am-i-in Koppen-Geiger map. (2023, March 26). Wikimedia. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Koppen-Geiger_Map_TWN_present.svg Liao, C.-W., Tseng, U.-J., Liao, Y.-H., Chen, B.-S., Ho, W.-S., Wang, I.-C., Lin, H.-I., & Chen, I.-M. (2023). A practical curriculum design and learning effectiveness evaluation of competence-oriented instruction strategy integration: A case study of Taiwan skills-based senior high school. Behavioral Science (2076-328X), 13(1), 43. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13010043 Overview of green building material. (2023, March 27). mdpi.com.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3298/5/1/4 Passive Cooling (2023, April 20). Australian Government. https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/passive-cooling Seven strategies for designing a house in the tropics. (2023,March 26). Architropics.com. https://architropics.com/designing-a-house-for-the- tropics/ Tropical House. (2023, April 20). The Contemporist. https://www.contemporist.com/this-tropical-house-is-almost-completely-open-to-the- outside/ 33 

References Tsai, W.-T. (2018). Overview of Green Building Material (GBM) Policies and Guidelines with Relevance to Indoor Air Quality Management in Taiwan. Environments 5, 4. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments5010004 What is a passive house? (2023, March 27). Passive House California. https://passivehousecal.org/what-is-passive-house/ What’s the difference between conduction, convection, and radiation. (2023, March 27). Machine Design. https://www.machinedesign.com/learning-resources/whats-the-difference-between/document/21834474/whats-the- difference-between-conduction-convection-and-radiation 34 

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You should have 1 copy of TEACHER GUIDE and 1 copy of STUDENT GUIDE AND your recyclable material from home. 1) Walk through STUDENT GUIDE. 2) Get into groups of three. 3) Individually sketch a model of an energy efficient home. ON THE CLOCK. 4) Hand out budgets to each group. 5) After sketching, decide as a group which components would make a great design. ON THE CLOCK. 6) “Buy” your materials and build it! 7) Test your prototype. 8) Redesign and test if necessary. 9) Extension activity if time. 10)After testing, discuss with team. ON THE CLOCK 11)Debrief as a class. 12)Clean up. 36 

Tea Break 

Lunch Break