Power Box Increasing the energy education of Arkansas students

Dr. Alan Mantooth, Center Director Mr. T.A. Walton, Outreach Coordinator Dr. Marta D. Collier, Curriculum Specialist

  On July 15th the Arkansas Science & Technology Authority approved the funding of the Power Box project.

Outreach Plan Overview

  A collaboration between the two VICTER campus centers located at University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (UAF) and University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR). Funding provided by the Arkansas ASSET Initiative will be used for K-8 outreach.

Pilot Study Project Goals

  1) Establish VICTER POWR BOX program at UAF and UALR

  2) Create a mechanism to actively integrate undergraduate STEM students into VICTER which includes research opportunities and internships

  3) Provide professional development training to certify STEM teachers for Power Box use in their classrooms.

The “Science Mentor” Concept

  We have adapted the NSF GK-12 program to enhance the training of our STEM undergraduate students. As STEM undergraduate students bring their content expertise and research lab experience into the K-8 classroom, they gain skills which enable them to explain science to people of all ages, ranging from students to teachers.

The Need for Energy and Sustainability Education Classroom Modules

  The major goal of the Power Box initiative is to stimulate interest in energy and sustainability among students in primary and elementary schools. In order to attract and engage these students, we must develop curriculum, inquiry studies, instructional strategies and professional development ot prepare teachers and expose students to highly effective, STEM-related classroom learning environments.

Bring Energy and Sustainability Education to the Classroom

  Power Box provides the teacher and classroom with a fully developed, hands-on set of classroom activities that breaks down energy and sustainability concepts. Power Box also provides an opportunity to educate our students on the state of our nation’s power grid.

Examples

Think GREEN!

Photovoltaic hydrogen production Solar cooking

Solar panel tracking system Nanocrystalline solar sell using raspberry jam (organic dye)

…more

Think GREEN!

Fiber Optics – demo and giveaway Various Experiments in Optics

Solar Racer Kit – build and have a fun race!

Green Technology Experiments

Original GREEN Mobile Concept

Think GREEN!

Evolution of GREEN Mobile – Solar Energy Laboratory on

Wheels   Considered using a school bus, box truck, or transit

bus to be more flexible in deployment of mobile lab, have more space available and have the ability to demonstrate a fully operational solar power system

Think GREEN!

Lab Vehicle Status   Proposing a commercial RV Shell based on

reliability and flexibility of operation

  33 foot empty NEW RV

  Winnebago manufactures these for mobile clinics, police mobile command centers, etc.

  Ours is empty, with no extra windows.

  Development of outside coloring and decoration is in progress

Think GREEN!

Our Proposed GREEN Mobile-

Solar Energy Lab on Wheels

Think GREEN!

(without outside graphics - under development)

Initial External Graphics Design

Think GREEN!

(Thanks to Brian Alexis and Collin McClain, faculty of the UAFS Graphic Design Department)

Floor Plan – as purchased

Think GREEN!

(Scale: 1 foot per division)

Modified for experiments and displays

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Tasks Ahead   Order RV (approx. 120 day delivery)

  Develop external graphics

  Develop additional experiments

  Order experimental components and test experiments; revise if necessary before installation in GREEN Mobile

  Order solar power equipment to supply experiments and A/C for mobile lab

  Design and purchase internal cabinets, etc. for mobile lab

Think GREEN!

Proposed Costs

Proposed Construction   COST*   Proposed   Budget ITEM   Modifications*  

Used Bus/Box Truck   $75,631.00   $108,000.00  

Custom Modification of   $31,800.00   $15,500.00  Interior and Exterior  

Solar Panel & Inverter   $14,310.00   $6,770.00  System  

Battery Bank System   $6,890.00   $2,112.00  

Tools   $766.38   $766.38  

Training Equipment/   $33,266.00   $29,514.62  Consumables  Indirect Costs(14%)   $337.00   $337.00  

TOTAL COST   $163,000.00   $163,000.00   *including tax  

Think GREEN!

Source of Savings   RV is already equipped with roof-top air

conditioning, stabilizer jacks, electrical distribution system and generator

  Reduction in size of solar array and battery bank to provide 2 operational hours before energizing on-board generator

  Graphic artist can modify exterior for less than original estimate

Think GREEN!

Other notes   We have cost center established at UAF for the

project

  We have lists of equipment for experiments to order; some equipment ordered but not yet received

  Working with AR Wind & Solar and Wholesale Solar for solar power for vehicle systems and experiments along with Dr. Roy McCann, UAF and UAF EE students

Think GREEN!