Editing Category:Engr308 Technology and the Environment

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Engineering 308 (Engr 308), Technology and the Environment, is a course taught at [[Cal Poly Humboldt]], currently by instructor [[User:Lonny|Lonny Grafman]]. See course content and past projects below.

== Analysis projects ==

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File:CPH 3MW photovoltaic CO2e comparison.png||<big>'''[[Engr 308 CPH 3 MW CO2 comparison]]'''</big><br>2022: Partnered with Cal Poly Humboldt (CPH) Facilities Management to analyze the embedded CO<sub>2e</sub> in various types of photovoltaics compared to potential CO<sub>2e</sub> savings from current gridmix at CPH.

File:Embedded CO2 of Mixed Versus Washed Bottles.png|<big>'''[[Bottle washing analysis]]'''</big><br>2019: Partnered with Zero Waste Humboldt to analyze and compare the impacts of mixed bottles versus local bottle washing for Lost Coast Brewery based on embedded CO<sub>2</sub> and energy.

File:LastStraw BuybackEE.PNG|<big>'''[[HSU straw analysis]]'''</big><br>2018: Partnered with HSU Office of Sustainability to analyze and compare the impacts of plastic, paper, bamboo, glass, and stainless steel straws in terms of dollars, CO<sub>2</sub>, and energy.

File:Mason Jar EE Buyback.jpg|<big>'''[[HSU mason jar analysis]]'''</big><br>2016: Partnered with HSU Office of Sustainability and Dining Services to analyze the effects of the HSU policy regarding mason jars and disposables in terms of dollars, CO<sub>2</sub>, and energy. Compelling comparisons were created in order to educate and influence consumers.

File:2012-04-05 17-58-25 374.jpg|<big>'''[[CCAT NZE study]]'''</big><br>2014: Partnered with CCAT to analyze the various energy uses of CCAT for their impacts (in dollars, energy, and carbon), as well as devising an implementable plan to ameliorate the impacts and to reach Net Zero Energy.

File:Fuente Nueva worm bin.JPG|<big>'''[[Fuente Nueva waste project]]'''</big><br>2013: Partnered with Fuente Nueva spanish immersion charter school to analyze their waste, its impacts, and possible mitigation plans.

File:Arcata bags embedded energy.png|<big>'''[[Arcata bags]]'''</big><br>2012: Partnered with Humboldt Scrap to analyze the embedded energy and carbon in various reusable and single use bags in Arcata

File:Dominican Republic Wall 3.jpg|<big>'''[[Dominican Republic alternative building analysis]]'''</big><br>2011: Partnered with the Dominican community of La Yuca to compare the cost, embedded energy and carbon between three building methods

File:Arcata Plastic Bags Embedded Energy Graph.png|<big>'''[[Arcata plastic bags]]'''</big><br>2010: Partnered with the City of Arcata to analyze the embedded energy and carbon in single use plastic bags in Arcata

File:SCAN0059.JPG|<big>'''[[CCAT PV system energy analysis]]'''</big><br>2009: Teams partnered with: [[CCAT]] on their photovoltaic system, [[Papercrete vs. StrawBale]] and [[Environmental impact of clay vs lime]]; with [[RCEA]] on [[Street lighting Analysis]]); and a local business on [[Multi-Pure vs. Brita Analysis]].

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== Research projects ==

In 2010, we partnered with the Humboldt Bay Center for Sustainable Living and Danco to research and report on the following:

* [[VOCs in plywood]], [[VOCs in fiberglass insulation]], [[VOCs in carpet and carpet pads]], [[Wool insulation]], [[Simple US composting toilets]], [[Cotton insulation]], [[Cellulose insulation]], [[1.6 GPM or less low-flow shower heads]], [[Air source heat pumps that heat water]], [[US natural insulation comparison]], [[Overview of eco-hostels]], [[US eco-hostels]], [[Forest Stewardship Council]], [[Comparison of California logging laws and FSC standards]], [[Natural paints]], [[Environmental Consumer Awareness Technology]], [[Aquaponics]]

== Small research project 2019 ==

* [[Is it illegal to collect rainwater]]

;Zane Middle School

* [[Zane Middle School permeable concrete 3]]
* [[Zane Middle School compost]]
* [[Zane Middle School triangle of rebirth]]
* [[Zane Middle School wall garden]]

;Jefferson Community Center

* [[Jefferson Community Center native landscaping 2017]]
* [[Jefferson Community Center edible landscape]]

;Jefferson Community Center

* [[Jefferson Community Center native pollinators landscape]]
* General Description at [[Jefferson Community Center]]

;[[Cooperation Humboldt]]

* [[Cooperation Humboldt home lawn to community garden conversion]]

;[[Sanctuary Arcata]]

* [[Sanctuary rainwater]]
* [[Sanctuary abundant free food kiosk]]
* [[Sanctuary sink to toilet greywater system]]

;Loleta

* [[Loleta Elementary rainwater]]

;Six Rivers Charter School

* [[Six Rivers Charter School solar cellphone charger]]
* [[Six Rivers Charter School outdoor common area]]

;CCAT

* [[CCAT MEOW 2019]]
* [[CCAT rocket mass cobb bench heater]]
* [[CCAT yurt roof 2019]]
* [[CCAT Beach Grass Clay Slip Wall]]
* [[CCAT greenhouse rainwater catchment]]
* [[CCAT rainwater catchment system]]

== General Idea ==
;Project
:Projects that allow students to use excel to create dynamic judgments or comparisons of specific technology based upon explicit quantified data.  Critical analysis is based on multiple metrics, such as water, money, energy, carbon, etc.  Future projects could include comparing paper cup use versus ceramic cups, hybrid versus SUV use, CFL versus incandescent, various building materials, etc.
;Client
:Clients are selected by the instructor based upon the clearness of their question and its impact on decisions at the intersection of technology and the environment.  Clients are given preference in the following order (most to least): Local business, non-profit organization, government organization, local group, school organization, citizens.
:Clients understand that the more they work with the students the better their project will be, and make a minimum commitment of four meetings with their team.  Some teams choose to work for themselves.
;Teams
:Students work in teams of four or five.
;Project documentation
:Teams construct a working spreadsheet of their analysis and write:
:*Instructions on how to use their worksheet	
:*Justification of values
:*Conclusions based upon their analysis
;Other coursework
:Coursework revolves around dimensional analysis, working with Excel, quantifying information, making back of the envelop calculations based upon known values, and critical thinking about how technology and humans intersect the environment.  Basic knowledge in sciences such as thermodynamics and chemistry will be leveraged to produce practical and prudent answers.

== Potential Projects ==
===Project(s) with [[CCAT]]===
*Electrical energy system monitoring, history and analysis

===Projects with the [[Redwood Coast Energy Authority]]===
*Next generation crystalline versus amorphous solar panels
*Heat pump versus solar thermal heating
*[[LED]] vs Induction street lights (compared against [[HPS]])
*Keep old windows versus installing new energy efficient windows 

===Project(s) with [http://greenwaypartners.net/ GreenWay Partners]===
*Daylighting versus energy efficient electric lighting

===Project(s) with other local businesses===
*Comparison of building materials

===Project(s) with local professors===
*apples in February

===Other or no clients===
*Hummer versus Prius
*Paper plates versus washing plates
*Keep 1988 Dodge and drive into ground versus Prius
*Buy a book from Amazon.com or drive to Big Box Bookstore
*Paper versus Plastic
*Toilet paper versus cleaning by hand
*Glass bottles versus Plastic bottles
*Incandescent bulbs versus CFL in a heated environment

[[Category:Coursework]]
[[Category:Cal Poly Humboldt]]
[[Category:Service learning courses]]