Design Brief: Artificial Environments

Artificial Environments

Context

The international space station is an engineering marvel. Dozens of countries have provided personnel, modules, financing, parts, training, and other resources. The station is constantly staffed and serves as a crucial research facility that is so large it can be seen from earth with the naked eye. Redundant systems were developed to insure the residents of the station would have clean air, water, and safe environments for eating, sleeping, and exercising.

Submarines have similar obstacles that must be overcome. Several systems are similar to space technologies, but some are unique. Fresh air on many large submarines, for example, is created by separating the oxygen and the hydrogen atoms from the water molecules outside the ship.

Challenge

Research and design a space station, submarine, or other artificial environment. You must model the systems for clean air and water and provide safe environments for eating, sleeping, and exercising.

Objectives

Upon completion of this design brief, students will be able to do the following:

Identify the modules that make up the international space station.
Explain the systems that provide oxygen and remove carbon dioxide in artificial environments.
Describe the temperature control systems in artificial environments.
Explain the systems that provide clean water and remove biological waste in artificial environments.
Explain how food is stored and prepared in artificial environments.
Describe the methods used to exercise and sleep in artificial environments.
Create a model of an artificial environment.

Materials

Computers with Internet connections for research
Assorted modeling materials such as foam core, card stock, paper, tubing, glue, tape, and other found objects
Assorted modeling tools such as measuring scales, hobby knives, and triangles

References

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). International Space Station. http://www.nasa.gov/topics/iss/index.html
How Stuff Works. “How are people able to breathe inside a submarine?”

Evaluation

Use the rubric below to evaluate student work. The left column lists the performance elements that correspond to the objectives above. Additional assessment could come from student design portfolios containing brainstorming and documentation of source material.

Excellent / Average / Unacceptable
Identify the modules that make up the international space station. / List includes an explanation of all the modules. Also, the primary functions of the module, country that manufactured the module, and date when it was launched are highlighted. / List includes an explanation of all the modules. / List does not include an explanation of all the modules.
Explain the systems that provide oxygen and remove carbon dioxide in artificial environments. / Explanations include a comprehensive list (>5) of systems with their advantages and disadvantages clearly explained. / Explanations include a good list (2-5) of systems with their advantages and disadvantages clearly explained. / Explanations include one system with its advantages and disadvantages clearly explained.
Describe the temperature control systems in artificial environments. / Descriptions include a comprehensive list (>5) of systems with their advantages and disadvantages clearly explained. / Descriptions include a good list (2-5) of systems with their advantages and disadvantages clearly explained. / Descriptions include one system with its advantages and disadvantages clearly explained.
Explain the systems that provide clean water and remove biological waste in artificial environments. / Explanations include a comprehensive list (>5) of systems with their advantages and disadvantages clearly explained. / Explanations include a good list (2-5) of systems with their advantages and disadvantages clearly explained. / Explanations include one system with its advantages and disadvantages clearly explained.
Explain how food is stored and prepared in artificial environments. / Explanations include a comprehensive list (>5) of different methods with their advantages and disadvantages clearly explained. / Explanations include a good list (2-5) of different methods with their advantages and disadvantages clearly explained. / Explanations include one method with its advantages and disadvantages clearly explained.
Describe the methods used to exercise and sleep in artificial environments. / Descriptions include a comprehensive list (>5) of methods with their advantages and disadvantages clearly explained. / Descriptions include a good list (2-5) of methods with their advantages and disadvantages clearly explained. / Descriptions include one method with its advantages and disadvantages clearly explained.
Create a model of an artificial environment. / The model accurately shows each of the systems described in the objectives above. The model shows excellent craftsmanship. / The model accurately shows each of the systems described in the objectives above. The model shows good craftsmanship. / The model does not show each of the systems described in the objectives above. The model shows poor craftsmanship.

Bioengineering (8467)Technology Education Service

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