Last updated: April 15, 2022
Lesson Plan
Sustainable Design Solutions: Mitigating Effects of Natural Resource Use
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- Grade Level:
- Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
- Subject:
- Science
- Lesson Duration:
- 90 Minutes
- State Standards:
- Utah SEEd 8th Grade
Strand 8.4 Interactions with Natural Systems & Resources
Standard 8.4.3: Design a solution to monitor or mitigate the potential effects of the use of natural resources. - Additional Standards:
- NGSS Middle School
MS-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity
MS-ESS3-3. Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
MS-ETS1 Engineering Design
MS-ETS1-1 - Thinking Skills:
- Understanding: Understand the main idea of material heard, viewed, or read. Interpret or summarize the ideas in own words. Applying: Apply an abstract idea in a concrete situation to solve a problem or relate it to a prior experience. Creating: Bring together parts (elements, compounds) of knowledge to form a whole and build relationships for NEW situations.
Essential Question
Why is it important for national parks to utilize sustainable design?
Objective
Students will learn about aspects of energy-efficient architectural design and how to design a building that mitigates the effects of natural resource use.
Background
According to the US Energy Information Administration, as of 2018, almost 63% of all of the United States’ electricity was generated through the use of fossil fuels, like natural gas and coal. Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the Earth’s atmosphere. In 2018, 81% of all greenhouse gas emissions came from carbon dioxide and 32% of that carbon dioxide came from the combustion of fossil fuels to generate electricity. Greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, trap heat and contribute to the Earth’s rising temperatures. These rising temperatures are the result of human- caused climate change and have already had negative impacts around the country and world.
One method of mitigating the effects of climate change is using sustainable design in buildings. Using Zion’s Visitor Center as inspiration, students will design energy-efficient buildings to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
Preparation
- Download lesson plan and activity guide
- Gather materials listed in activity guide
Materials
Download Lesson Plan and Activity Guide
Lesson Hook/Preview
There are many different ways to limit the effects of climate change. Individuals can use alternative transportation methods, plant a tree, buy local food, recycle, and take many other actions. Another solution includes building more energy-efficient sustainable buildings, like Zion’s Visitor Center. These buildings reduce fossil fuel use as well as carbon dioxide emissions. By doing this, not only do we mitigate environmental damage, we also save money by using less energy.
Using Zion’s Visitor Center as inspiration, students will design energy-efficient buildings to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
Procedure
Follow suggested procedures in activity guide.
Additional Resources
- This website has information about energy efficient appliances: https://www.epa.gov/greenerproducts/identify-greener-products-and-services
- This paper goes into even more detail on the sustainable design of Zion’s Visitor Center: nrel.gov/docs/fy02osti/32157.pdf