The Future of Building Science Education with the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon
- Conference
- Location
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Minneapolis, MN
- Publication Date
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August 23, 2022
- Start Date
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June 26, 2022
- End Date
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June 29, 2022
- Conference Session
- Page Count
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11
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--40464
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/40464
- Download Count
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238
Paper Authors
Rachel L Romero
Rachel Romero is an energy engineer and project leader at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Rachel obtained her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Hope College and then received her master’s degree in Building Systems Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. She received her PE in 2014. Rachel is an active member of ASHRAE, chairing the 2020-2021 Young Engineers in ASHRAE Committee. She is active on TC 9.10 Laboratories.
At NREL, Rachel is the competition manager for the U.S Department of Energy Solar Decathlon Design Challenge, which has inspired over 4000 collegiate students in 7 years to be the next generation to design net zero buildings. Also, she provides technical assistance to the to the Department of Energy’s Smart Labs program, which provides technical assistance to university and national laboratory partners across the US. She was a main author of the Smart Labs Toolkit, which describes a systematic process to achieve safe, efficient, and sustainable laboratories. As a collegiate All-American swimmer, Rachel now enjoys training for and competing in sprint triathlons, all while teaching her son and daughter to learn all of the sports too.
Jessica Stershic
Taylor Ryan
Michael Young
Michael Young is a technical project manager at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, where he and his colleagues lead complex energy projects that empower decision makers with the knowledge to adopt renewable energy and energy efficiency strategies and provide solutions to accelerate clean energy transitions. Michael’s work focuses on the advancement and deployment of workforce development initiatives for zero energy buildings, as well as greenhouse gas emissions research and analysis and decarbonization strategies. Within his zero energy buildings work, Michael is the competition manager for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon Build Challenge – a collegiate design/build competition that educates students through project based learning and prepares them for careers in the buildings industry.
Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Muhlenberg College, and a master’s degree in Energy Systems Engineering from Lehigh University.
Abstract
Experience the future of Building Science Education with the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon®, from community-focused designs to real-life innovative zero energy buildings constructed by students. In this paper, we will introduce the Solar Decathlon programs and a reimagined Building Science Education curriculum that is transforming education to inspire future building design professionals and bring sustainable, equitable design and construction strategies to the real world. The Solar Decathlon is a collegiate-level building design competition that challenges students in 10 Contests, from embodied environmental impact to affordability and resilience. We will cover the structure of the competition and its two Challenges—the Build Challenge and the Design Challenge—as well as additional programs that impact all aspects of the buildings industry. These programs include the Solar Decathlon Building Science Education course, a free online video series that provides students and working professionals with building science fundamentals; the Design Partners Program, which connects innovative student design teams and local building owners seeking low-risk, low-cost opportunities to incorporate sustainable design alternatives into their building portfolio; and Solar Decathlon Pro, a program piloted in 2021 that brings Solar Decathlon resources to design professionals. The Solar Decathlon’s effective approach to bringing real-world solutions to building science empowers future professionals to do impactful work.
L Romero, R., & Stershic, J., & Ryan, T., & Young, M. (2022, August), The Future of Building Science Education with the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN. 10.18260/1-2--40464
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