Design Challenge: Physical Electricity

In this Design Challenge: Physical Electricity we will explore the relationships between atoms, molecules, ions, electrons, power, voltage, amperage and pressure.

The goal of the design challenge is to introduce kids to the details of building low amperage and voltage using solar panels, wires of various diameters, batteries, and off-the-shelf battery-enabled AC/DC inverters.

Each team will get a research station, clipboards, pens, posterboard and markers. The deliverables are listed under each section.

Running This Design Challenge (90 Minutes)

Understanding Electricity (15 minutes)

Start by putting three teams into three categories:

1. Resistance

2. Power

3. Voltage

Allow each team to learn as much about each topic as possible. After 10 minutes have the teams come together and describe their topics to each other.

Using Electricity (30 Minutes)

Team Resistance will be responsible for creating wires and wire connections.

1. The team must create two sets of positive and negative wires.

2. The wires must be 14 gauge and 10gauge, have exposed wire at each end, and have an end that terminates in a ring connector for 14 gauge, and a solar connector on the 10 gauge wire.

3. Allow them to use the tools and discover how to strip wire and use the crimpers to install the ends.

4. Deliverable: A clear presentation (5 minutes) of wire, wire sheathing, insulation, wire cutting, crimping, and connector types.

Team Power will be responsible for arranging batteries and powering the DC-powered water pump.

1. Have the team set up the 20Ah LiFePO4 batteries, wired in serial and use the voltmeter to test the energy in the batteries.

2. Hav the team set up the 100Ah LiFePO4 batteries, wired in serial and use the voltmeter to test the energy in the batteries.

3. Set up a 10 gallon bucket and place a DC powered water pump

4. Connect each battery set the positive and negative nodes of each battery set to the sets on the pump.

5. Ask the team to measure the amount of water that can be moved by each battery system.

6. Deliverable: A clear presentation (5 minutes) of battery technology, energy content, and wiring strategies (paralel and serial) and the careful use of each type.

Team Voltage will be responsible for the batteries and setting up the two AC/DC inverter systems.

1. Have the team set up two different AC/DC battery charge systems.

2. Attach two electtrical systems to each battery charge systems.

3. Report out what was discovered.

4. Deliverable: A poster that can be used to explain voltage, aperage, restance, and watts

Putting It Together (30 Minutes)

In this section of the Physical Electricity Design Challenge, students will be given three components of a complete solar array, battery system, and wiring and they must work together with the knowledge they have gained to pull together a two panel array, proper wiring systems, and attach the wiring and panels to the AC/DC generator to do real work.

They must demonstrate mastery of the systems, wiring, resistance, amperage, voltage and solar recharging to power a simple farm system withn 15 Amps 110V power.

Presentation

Have each team present their deliverable on a video and give a 30-60 second breakdown on what they learned and created. Have them write the script, film it, edit it and upload it to youTube.