O2 Science House Project

Science 10

If you want one year of prosperity, plant corn.

If you want ten years of prosperity, plant trees.

If you want one hundred years of prosperity, educate people.

— Chinese proverb

Science 10 Overview

• Science 10 is divided into four units:– Sustainability– Chemistry– Physics– Weather Dynamics

The purpose of Science in 2009

• Environmental issues are becoming the most important global concern in 2009.

1. Why is it important to be environmentally aware?

2. How does the environment impact your life?

3. What does it mean to be eco-friendly?

4. Why do we have to learn science anyway?

– Read the Clean Nova Scotia Newsletter and answer these four questions.

The House Project

• We can begin at home when we talk about environmental issues.

• Throughout this course we are going to look at the four science units as they relate to how we lead our daily life and how we could be more environmentally savvy in the building of eco-friendly houses.

How does a house relate to science 10?

Day to Day Breakdown • Daily: We will talk about The House as it relates to our lessons

• Journals: You will keep a journal in which they research and/or answer a specific question each week that relates to both a house and the topic being studied.

• Independent Project: There are several independent projects that you will take on throughout the semester. Some examples include:– Design one ultimate room taking into account the need to be eco-

friendly. – What kind of technology is needed in the house?– If the family in the house wants to ‘eat locally’ what does this mean and

how does this work?– Is it possible to have eco-friendly personal hygiene products and make-

up? – How do you minimize water consumption in a house?

More on the specifics…..

How the House relates to Physics:

• How did materials and supplies travel to get to our construction site?

• Which modes of transport were the most efficient time and fuel wise?

• Does the distance traveled represent the displacement of our materials? Is there a way we could make this more efficient?

How the House relates to Sustainability:

• Who lives in our trash and why do we separate our waste?

• How does construction impact a natural habitat?• What is the most eco-friendly type of

landscaping?• How do the contents of your fridge impact the

global ecosystem?

How the House relates to Chemistry:

• What makes a chemical eco-friendly?

• Why should the chemical make up of certain materials be considered in a project such as building a house?

• In what ways does the chemistry of the environment impact decisions about house construction?

• Are you, as a student, sensitive to chemicals in your environment?– Have you ever had a physical reaction to a chemical you’ve

come in contact with?

• Is it possible to have eco-friendly soaps and make-up?

How the House relates to Weather:

• How does the weather impact our life?• How does the temperate climate of Nova Scotia

impact building design?– What considerations do Nova Scotians have in

comparison to Manitobians or Cubans?

• How can we reduce our environmental impact in our homes by taking advantage of the weather we experience?

• Why is humidity an important consideration in building design?