Paper Authors

Abstract

NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract

MSETI-AREA: Math-Science-Engineering Technology in Iowa on Applied Renewable Energy Areas

Abstract

The Math-Science-Engineering Technology in Iowa on Applied Renewable Energy Areas (MSETI - AREA) project aimed to provide area middle school teachers with an applied mathematics and science curriculum package based on Photo-Voltaic (PV), wind power, and hydrogen fuel-cell fundamentals. The MSETI –AREA project has established a partnership between the university and selected area middle schools for the improvement of students’ mathematical and scientific skill sets, improve their technological literacy by creating an environment where they must understand and figure out relationships among basic mathematics, science and engineering technology applied to renewable energy fields in order to mentor and manage effectively, and to give them a professional skill-set for successfully applying mathematics and science to technical projects with diverse teams throughout their careers. The use of a number of renewable energy and energy efficiency based hands-on projects will also promote mathematics and science for middle school teachers and students.

Introduction

According to the National Science Board (NSB)’s Science and Engineering Indicators 2004, enrollment in undergraduate engineering and science programs in the United States has been in decline since the 1980s1. Clearly, there is a continued need for increased enrollment and retention in science and engineering. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) have become increasingly central to our economic competitiveness and growth. Long– term strategies to maintain and increase living standards and promote opportunity will require unprecedented coordinated efforts among public, private, and non-profit entities to promote innovation and to prepare an adequate supply of qualified STEM workers2.

The MSETI - AREA project utilizes an undergraduate senior design project, the energy bike “UNI e-Bike”, which is introduced through a series of after school visits and weekend professional development workshops during the fall 2008 of the academic year. Teachers who have already completed the workshop are now implementing the conventional and renewable energy concepts in their classroom by checking out the “e-Bike”, PV solar cells, and model wind generators. This creates an environment where young students must understand and figure out relationships among basic mathematics, science and engineering technology applied to renewable energy fields. The overall goal of this project is first to work with teachers to develop a curriculum based on an exciting applied research. The “UNI e-Bike” project also introduced teachers and students to what energy efficiency and energy conservation mean by generating their own electricity using pedal-power and energizing a number of loads such as inefficient incandescent light bulbs, small appliances, and energy efficient compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs where they can observe light density, heat release, and overall energy usage in kWh. Students also calculate cost of overall electricity they use and discuss on monthly average charges to educate themselves as well as their own parents on energy cost and efficiency.

• Citation

• Format
  • APA
  • APA - LaTeX bibitem
  • MLA
  • MLA - LaTeX bibitem
  • Bibtex
  • EndNote - RIS

Pecen, R. R., & Humston, J. (2009, June), Mseti Area: Math Science Engineering Technology In Iowa On Applied Renewable Energy Areas Paper presented at 2009 Annual Conference & Exposition, Austin, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--5819