Water Justice
Exploring approaches to improve water access, safety, and/or quality in ways that promote equity and resilience for communities most impacted by water-related injustices.
2024 Water Filtration
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This research focused on the exploration into opportunities to advance the design of small-scale, low-cost and sustainable drinking water treatment devices, such as water filters. Numerous researchers and entrepreneurs have developed small-scale water filtration devices (i.e., for an individual water bottle) using a digital manufacturing approach: 3D printing. For example, the company Faircap aims to make a $1 water filter using a 3D printing approach.
Curriculum Standards
ESS
2025 Design of Small-Scale and Low-Cost Water Desalination Devices
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This research focuses on improving small, low-cost desalination devices that can turn ocean water into safe drinking water. Desalination removes salt, and when combined with other treatments like boiling or filtration, it can make seawater drinkable. Students explore different design ideas and test simple materials to better understand water purification and global access to clean water
Coming Soon!
Sustainable Energy
Investigating sustainable energy technologies and strategies that meet local needs while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
2024 Transitioning to Solar
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Curriculum Standards
The shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy has been systemic and rapid. While STEM teachers in middle and high school may be aware of trends in energy technologies from personal experience, a more systematic study of both the opportunities and challenges involved in the transition from fossil fuel energy to renewable energy may be beneficial. To enable teachers interested in delivering energy-oriented learning modules in their classrooms, the research experience described below lists both projects and potential avenues of lifelong learning associated with each project.
LS
ESS
PS
2025 Portable Platform for Teaching Solar Energy
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This research explores the design and testing of a small-scale solar energy demonstration system for classroom use. The system allows students to compare two key solar technologies: photovoltaics (which convert sunlight into electricity) and solar thermal (which captures heat from the sun). Using simple and affordable materials, the setup helps students investigate energy efficiency and gain hands-on experience with renewable energy concepts.
Coming Soon!
Waste Upcycling
Researching ways to transform waste materials into valuable resources, promoting circular systems and reducing environmental impact.
2024 Upcycling Surfboard Waste
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The purpose of this project is to upcycle polyurethane foam powder. In other words, find new uses and material combinations that may use this polyurethane powder that is generated during the manufacturing of surfboards. One method that will be investigated is 3D printing. Another method will be mixing the powder in epoxy. Although the addition of polyurethane may reduce the strength of the epoxy, it may still be beneficial if the resulting strength is still greater than what is required for a given application. It is hoped that these projects may be demonstrated in the classroom.
Curriculum Standards
LS
ESS
ETS
2025 Waste to Energy: Building a Classroom Biogas System
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This research explores how everyday waste like food scraps, seaweed, and brewery water can be turned into clean energy using a small bio-methane digester. The system uses natural bacteria to break down organic materials and produce a usable gas. Teacher-scholars will design and test a classroom-scale version to explore how engineering and sustainability concepts can be brought into hands-on STEM education.
Coming Soon!
