Net Zero Architect Project – Grades 9-12

1. READ the TASK information below:
   • INTRODUCTION: Net-Zero buildings combine energy efficiency and renewable energy generation to consume only as much energy as can be produced onsite through renewable resources. Achieving net-zero is an ambitious, yet increasingly, achievable goal that is gaining momentum across geographic regions and markets. A local school district is interested in building a Net-Zero high school in their community.
   • GOAL – Your goal is to help design a new high school campus that will be “net zero” in terms of energy. The term “net zero” means that the renewable energy systems would produce as much energy as is consumed by the high school campus. The school will generate 100% of its energy needs from renewable energy within 5 years.
   • ROLE – You are an intern working with a team of architects who will be assisting the school district with the design of this energy efficient school.
   • AUDIENCE – Your audience will be the school leadership and governmental officials. Both will be interested in your plan and the potential benefits for this project. The government officials will be considering enacting policies based upon your research and work.
   • SITUATION – Zero net energy buildings are buildings with greatly reduced energy load so that over a year, 100% of the buildings energy use can be met with onsite renewable energy technologies. The formula representing this idea is below:
     X (building’s total EUI) – Y (renewable production EUI) = Building’s net EUI
     The most cost-effective energy reduction in a building occurs during the design process. Good energy analysis and energy efficiency planning should take place early in the design process.
     It will be important to know and understand the following terms:
     EUI (Energy Use Intensity): A building’s annual energy use per unit area. It is typically measured in thousands of BTU per square foot per year (kBTU/ft2/yr) or kWh/m2/yr.
     BTU (British Thermal Unit): The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit at a specified temperature.
     Wh (Watt-hour): a unit of energy equivalent to the power of one watt operating for one hour.
     kBTU: The prefix “kilo-” stands for 1,000, which means that a KBTU equals 1,000 BTU. BTU stands for British thermal units, which measures heat energy.
2. WATCH this career video & CHECK OUT helpful links below before you start.
3. CHOOSE ONE of the PROJECTS below to complete. You will need to create your final product using a Google tool (Doc, Sheets or Slides) or equivalent (Word, Excel, Canva, Prezi, Adobe Spark, WeVideo, Powerpoint, etc…) and submit to your teacher by the date required.
   • SCHOOL BOARD PRESENTATION: You will need to develop and deliver a 15-20 minute oral presentation using materials such as multimedia, visuals, and models. This presentation will be both informational and persuasive and meant to explain net-zero energy and how this new high school will achieve this. Your presentation should focus on energy efficiency and conservation, and the implementation of renewable energy to meet 100% of the energy needs of the high school.
   • NET ZERO/CARBON NEUTRAL DIAGRAM: You need to research the concept of net zero energy or carbon neutral practice. Then you will need to create a diagram of the school showing how this concept and practice can work. Diagram will need to be clearly labeled and well illustrated. This diagram needs to be large enough to present. You can video and narrate your diagram or take a picture and submit.
   • ELA ACTIVITY: Read one of the two passages below to complete this activity. Support your discussion with evidence from your research. Submit your essay to your teacher through the required platform.
     INNOVATIVE BUILDING MATERIALS WILL DRIVE NET ZERO BUILDING BOOM – Write a two page paper how innovative building materials will impact the net zero energy building boom.
     Net-Zero Energy Building – After researching informational texts and articles providing information about energy efficient buildings and the reduction of carbon emissions, write a position paper arguing either pro or con for net-zero energy policies to be enacted by local and national governments.

Student Web Research Links:

• Defining Nearly Zero Energy Buildings
• Zero energy buildings
• What it takes to go Net-Zero
• Advancing Net-Zero

Student Video Resources:

• Human Needs and Available Resources (Learning Object Visual/Video)
• Sustainability (Learning Object Visual/Video)
• Civics, Economics and Natural Resources (Learning Object Visual/Video)
• Government and Conservation (Learning Object Visual/Video)

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