Home Chapter 1: Designing the Universal Dwelling

Chapter Challenge
Homes For Everyone establishes the scenario with a quest for a universal dwelling that meets the need for homes in diverse environments. Students are challenged to design a home that can be constructed quickly and simply at a remote building site and should use the least amount of materials to create the most living space. And, it should be energy-efficient!

Chapter Summary
To gain understanding of the science principles necessary to meet this challenge, students work collaboratively on activities in which they learn about energy transfer, solar energy, the iterative process of engineering design, and how to use collected data to refine designs. These experiences engage students in the content identified in the National Science Education Standards.

Activity Summaries

Physics Principles

Activity One: Factors in Designing the "Universal Dwelling"

Examining characteristics of houses designed for a variety of geographic locations introduces students to the concept of form and function in a home. They then list features necessary for a universal dwelling.

• Form and function
• Analyzing and interpreting data

Activity Two: What is the "Right Size" for a Universal Dwelling?

After researching and analyzing data on living space in sample homes, students plan the design of their universal dwelling and calculate the necessary dimensions of each room based on its function. They conclude by drawing a floor plan.

• Analyzing and interpreting data
• Models, measurements, and scale

Activity Three: The Shape of the "Universal Dwelling"

Students examine their floor plans, applying knowledge of area, perimeter, and volume to decide if the planned living space is maximized while building materials are minimized. They then refine their plans to reflect what was learned from investigating size as compared to form and function of rooms in other dwellings.

• Applying measurement and data to predictions

Activity Four: Solar Heat Flow...

This activity confronts students with implications of shape and size on occupants of the home. Students construct a model of the home, then use a heat lamp and temperature probe to investigate interior light and heat during a simulated day and night. This also introduces the use of passive solar designs for light and heat in the home.

• Radiant energy
• Energy transfer
• Passive solar heating

Activity Five: The Role of Insulation

Students expand their understanding of solar heat by exploring the affect of different types of insulation in an experiment with hot and cold water. They apply data collected to plan how to maintain a stable temperature inside the home. Students
read to learn about transfer of radiant energy through conduction and convection.

• Energy transfer
• Heat conduction
• Heating and cooling curves

Activity Six: Investigating Insulation Placement

Students collect and compare temperature data during simulated 24-hour cycles for different types, thickness, and placement of insulation in the ceilings and walls of their model homes. Interpretation of this data combined with new understanding of heat loss and gain is used to further refine design of the home.

• Energy transfer
• Heat loss through conduction

Activity Seven: The Role of Windows

Light and ventilation are the focus of this activity as students plan and test placement, size, and materials of windows. As they continue experimenting with passive solar heating and lighting, they are challenged to again consider heat loss when an insulated wall is replaced with a window.

• Energy transfer
• Heat loss through conduction
• Passive solar heating
• Passive solar lighting

Activity Eight: Investigating Overhangs and Awnings

Students investigate the affect of the angle of the sun's rays in different geographic regions in a simulation with heat lamps and temperature probes. Overhangs and awnings are added to the house to compensate for increased interior temperature. Students then have the opportunity to further refine the design of their dwelling to maximize use of passive solar heating and lighting.

• Energy transfer
• Passive solar heating
• Passive solar lighting