TRANSITOPIA

ترانزيتوبيا (أنظمة النقل والحركة)

How Does Geothermal Energy Work?

Joselyn McDonald

How Does Tidal Energy Work?

Joselyn McDonald

How does Hydropower Work?

Joselyn McDonald

Renewable Energy Investigation + Share out!

Jiyoo Jye

Renewable Energy

Prompt

Work in small teams and choose a renewable energy topic from the from the following list: solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, nuclear or tidal. Each group will have  research and learn about their renewable energy system. Then, you will share your knowledge with the rest of the class. This will be a casual share-out. This research will be quick and collaborative. 

Instructions

Research your selected energy source. 

Next, in your groups, you will make a poster of your energy system to share out to the class. On a larger piece of paper (at least 11 X17inches), make a poster that includes:

  •  3 key takeaways (useful information, things you didn't know before).
  • A sketch or diagram of how the system works, describing how the energy source works. Try to make your drawing clearly convey the process of energy generation and transmission. Use arrows, labels, and colors to add to your sketch.

Share your poster with the class. 

Post-Share-out Reflection: How does this research inform your ideas about the future of transit and personalized mobility? What are you most excited about for the future of transit? Are there renewable opportunities you think should be explored? 

Deliverables

Post your an image of your poster in the Responses tab above. 

Precedents

Christiane Tannous

ما هي السوابق؟

Paper Airplane Challenge!

Kate James and Ahmed Ghazal

Prompt:

Design and launch the best paper plane! Your goal is to create a plane that can either fly the furthest, stay in the air the longest, or pull off the coolest stunt mid-flight.

Materials You’ll Need:

  • Paper (A4 or letter-sized)
  • Ruler and pencil (for optional measurements)
  • Markers
  • Stopwatch (if available)
  • Measuring tape (for distance)
  • Tape (for reinforcements)

Step 1: Understanding Flight 

Before you start folding, let’s talk about how planes fly! There are 4 key forces at work when your plane is in the air:

  • Lift: Keeps the plane up.
  • Thrust: Pushes the plane forward.
  • Drag: Slows the plane down.
  • Gravity: Pulls the plane down.

Think about how you can use these forces to your advantage when designing your plane.

Step 2: Design Your Paperplane 

Time to fold ! Your task is to come up with a paper plane that looks cool and flies great. Consider these things:

  • Shape: Does the plane have long wings, sharp edges, or a sleek look?
  • Size: Does your plane need to be small and fast or bigger for more gliding?
  • Sign: Add personal touches 

Pro Tip: If you think your plane needs a little extra support, you can use tape to reinforce the wings or the nose of the plane.

Step 3: Flight Test 

Now it’s time for the ultimate flight contest! We’ll measure your plane in these categories:

  1. Longest Flight Distance – How far can your plane go?
  2. Longest Time in the Air – How long can your plane stay up before it falls?
  3. Best Stunt – Can your plane do something amazing like loops or dives?
  4. Best Design – Bonus points for creativity!

Each of you will get a chance to launch your plane. We’ll measure the distance and time, and then have a little fun watching your planes perform stunts!

Step 4: Review and Tweak

After your first test, take a look at how your plane performed. What worked well? What didn’t? Can you change anything to make it fly better? Maybe adjust the wings or add some extra tape?

Now you’ll have a chance to make any changes and try again!

Step 5: Final Flight

Once you’ve made any changes, we’ll have one last flight test to see who can improve their plane the most.

Prizes!

  • Longest Distance Champion
  • Time in the Air Champion
  • Stunt Master
  • Design Star

Low-fidelity Prototypes

Description 

Now that we've explored the possible futures and developed strong project ideas, it's time to create your first prototypes (remember: prototypes are rapidly-made models created with easily-manipulative materials that demonstrate the simplest version of your idea in physical form). 

 This is an opportunity to test out design shapes, sizes, and techniques of making before we create our final prototypes!  

Instructions 

Begin by sketching the pieces needed to construct your project. Then assemble the materials needed and create quick mock-ups in paper and cardboard.

Deliverables

Photograph your sketches and cardboard prototypes and assemble them in your Design Journal to record your first creations. Add your thesis statement to the description in your Journal. 

Tinkercad/Rhinoceros

Mike Chaiban

2D/3D Drawings

Description:

Through this digital design activity, you'll acquire valuable skills in 2D and 3D design using Rhino, and you'll have the opportunity to showcase your creativity by designing a unique monument. Get ready to bring your digital design ideas to life!

Duration: ~4-5 hrs

Materials: Computer

Instructions for Tinkercad

  • Begin by logging into Tinkercad. Tinkercad offers a simpler interface compared to Rhino, making it ideal for beginners to dive into 2D and 3D design.

  •  Use the primitive shapes and editing tools in Tinkercad to build a 3D model of your wearable device.

  • Once your 3D model is complete, export it as an STL file or take a screenshot for submission.
  • For 2D files, make sure your 3d Model is intersecting with the plane, and save it as svg. You will get the section cut as a 2D file.

Instructions for RHINO

1: Rhino 2D Drawing for Wearables 

  • Begin by navigating to the "Rhino Resources" tab and access the slides for "Rhino 2D Drawing". Follow along with the class to learn the fundamentals of 2D design in Rhino.
  • Download the "2D Rhino file" provided in the "Rhino Resources" and complete the associated activity.

2: Rhino 3D Modeling for Wearables

  • Next, move to the "Rhino 3D Modeling" resources in the "Rhino Resources" tab.
  • Download the Rhino file specific to this section and complete the 3D modeling activity.

3: Create Your Own Wearable

  • With your foundation in both 2D and 3D design, it’s time to apply your skills. Design your very own wearable device (e.g., a bracelet, smartwatch, or health tracker) using Rhino. 
  • You can choose to create a 3D visualization of your wearable or develop the 2D files for laser cutting your design to physically construct it.
  • Once your design is complete, take a screenshot of your Rhino model. Upload screenshots along with the Rhino file to the Response tab to share your creation with the class.

Deliverables for both software:

In the "responses tab", create a post with the following:

  • Drawing file ready for laser cutting or 3D printing.
  • Screenshots of your 2D/3D drawings along with the file attached to the file and save on a usb drive.