Ecospace takes students on a journey through the design process, requiring the exploration of a real space in their immediate learning environment and how improvements could be made.
Ecospace provides opportunities for both creativity and problem solving through interaction with current and emerging technologies and ICTs. It recognises the value of hands-on project based learning.
This resource can be adapted for students in various situations.
Students can:
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plan scientific inquiries that relate to the places and spaces in which they learn
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focus on insulation, building materials, building style, ventilation, orientation and alternate energy sources.
Teachers can:
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encourage Working Scientifically to acquire new knowledge and information that is the applied through a design process when Working Technologically to make informed choices and produce the best possible solution to an identified need, opportunity or problem
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guide the development of open-ended investigations where students determine what they want and need to know, make predictions about what they think they will discover and draw conclusions from their investigations that can be applied in their design work.
This is a cyclical process which could lead to a new scientific inquiry with research and scientific investigation.
In the Ecospace project you will explore a built environment in which you spend a lot of time - your school!
You will find out about:
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ways to reduce the amount of electricity used
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how and where electrical energy is used in schools
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energy and where it comes from
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what makes a good space for learning.
Individually or in a team you will design modifications to your school that could reduce the amount of electricity used without having a negative impact on those who use the learning spaces.
There are three main parts to the project:
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exploring and defining your task
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generating and developing your ideas
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producing your solution.
You will make models, problem solve, investigate scientifically, watch videos, research, take photos and collect evidence, create and then recreate a design and present your design brief to an audience.
Beware though, your final outcome will probably get you thinking of new solutions for other areas and could have you starting a new project straight after this one!