Trash to Tidy: HVAC Hacks for Eco-Trucks

High School Grade Project 2 weeks

Trash to Tidy: HVAC Hacks for Eco-Trucks

Peter Tirc

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Purpose

Students will collaborate with the owner of Junque Carting to analyze and propose solutions for optimizing the efficiency of EV pickup trucks used in recycling. By exploring thermodynamics principles, students will focus on how HVAC systems impact energy consumption and vehicle performance. The project aims to develop practical strategies to enhance truck capacity, improve sorting mechanisms, and refine energy management, ultimately presenting their findings and recommendations to the business owner.

Learning goals

Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how HVAC systems impact the energy efficiency of electric vehicles, focusing on thermodynamics principles. They will explore real-world applications by analyzing and proposing improvements to the recycling process of an EV pickup truck fleet. Through collaboration with a garbage carting company owner, students will develop and present innovative solutions to enhance operational efficiency, optimizing truck capacity, weight distribution, and aerodynamics.

Standards

NGSS - HS-PS3-3: Design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another form of energy.
NGSS - HS-ETS1-2: Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning.

Products

Students will design a prototype HVAC system tailored for EV pickup trucks, focusing on optimizing energy management and efficiency. They will develop a presentation that outlines their proposed solutions for improving Junque Carting's recycling process, highlighting enhancements in material sorting, energy consumption, and truck capacity. Additionally, students will create a visual representation of their proposed HVAC system, demonstrating how it integrates with the truck's design to improve aerodynamics and weight distribution.

Launch

Kick off the project with a site visit to Junque Carting to observe the current recycling process and identify inefficiencies firsthand. Follow this with a brainstorming session where students discuss their observations and propose initial ideas on how HVAC principles might address these challenges. This immersive experience will set the stage for students to explore the intersection of HVAC systems and electric vehicle efficiency.

Exhibition

Students will collaboratively design and present a comprehensive proposal to the garbage carting company owner, showcasing their innovative solutions to enhance recycling efficiency using EV pickup trucks. The exhibition will include detailed models or simulations of improved HVAC systems, demonstrating their impact on energy consumption and vehicle performance. Additionally, students will create visual displays and infographics to communicate their understanding of thermodynamics principles and their practical applications in this context. This presentation will serve as a platform for students to articulate their findings and recommendations, inviting feedback and discussion from the community partner.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Activity 1: Site Visit and Observation - Students will visit Junque Carting to observe the current recycling process, focusing on identifying inefficiencies in material sorting, energy consumption, collection routing, and truck capacity.	Activity 2: Brainstorming Session - Back in the classroom, students will participate in a brainstorming session to discuss their observations from the site visit and propose initial ideas on how HVAC principles can address identified challenges.	Activity 3: Introduction to Thermodynamics - Students will engage in an interactive lesson on thermodynamics, exploring how these principles relate to energy consumption and efficiency in electric vehicles, especially focusing on the impact of HVAC systems.	Activity 4: Group Research - Students will form small groups to research potential improvements in HVAC systems for EVs, considering factors like energy management, aerodynamics, and weight distribution.	Activity 5: Initial Proposal Development - Each group will start drafting an initial proposal outlining their ideas for optimizing the efficiency of EV pickup trucks used by Junque Carting, focusing on HVAC system enhancements.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: Observation Notes - Students will submit detailed notes from their site visit, highlighting inefficiencies and potential areas for improvement. 2. Deliverable 2: Initial Proposal Draft - Each group will submit a draft of their initial proposal, including proposed HVAC system enhancements and other ideas for improving the recycling process.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Coordinate and confirm the site visit to Junque Carting, ensuring all necessary permissions and logistics are in place. 2. Prep Task 2: Gather and prepare resources and materials for the thermodynamics lesson, including any multimedia tools or interactive components. 3. Prep Task 3: Prepare guidelines and frameworks for the brainstorming session to facilitate productive discussions and idea generation. 4. Prep Task 4: Assemble research materials and resources for students to use during the group research activity. 5. Prep Task 5: Develop a template or rubric for the initial proposal drafts to guide students in structuring their ideas effectively.

Week 2	Day 6	Day 7	Day 8	Day 9	Day 10
Activities	Activity 1: Prototype Development - Students will work in their groups to design and build a prototype of the HVAC system for the EV pickup trucks, focusing on optimizing energy management, aerodynamics, and weight distribution.	Activity 2: Testing and Iteration - Students will conduct tests on their HVAC prototypes to assess performance and identify areas for improvement. They will iterate on their designs based on test results.	Activity 3: Final Proposal Preparation - Groups will consolidate their findings, refining their initial proposals to include data from prototype testing and iterations. They will prepare a comprehensive presentation to outline their solutions.	Activity 4: Presentation Rehearsal - Students will practice delivering their presentations, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and logical reasoning. Feedback will be provided by peers and the teacher to enhance delivery.	Activity 5: Exhibition and Presentation - Students will present their final proposals and HVAC system prototypes to the owner of Junque Carting and other stakeholders, showcasing their solutions to improve recycling efficiency.
Deliverables	1. Deliverable 1: HVAC System Prototype - Each group will submit the physical or digital prototype of their HVAC system, demonstrating how it integrates with the truck design. 2. Deliverable 2: Final Proposal and Presentation - Groups will submit a finalized version of their proposal, including a visual representation of their HVAC system, and deliver a presentation to the community partner.
Preparation	1. Prep Task 1: Gather materials and tools necessary for prototype development, ensuring students have access to all required resources. 2. Prep Task 2: Arrange for testing facilities or equipment needed to evaluate HVAC system prototypes, including any measurement tools. 3. Prep Task 3: Develop a rubric for final proposal and presentation assessment, outlining criteria for evaluating student solutions. 4. Prep Task 4: Coordinate logistics for the exhibition, including setting up presentation space and inviting the community partner and any additional guests. 5. Prep Task 5: Provide guidance and support during the presentation rehearsal, offering constructive feedback to help students refine their delivery.