Build Your Dream Home
by Itzel Suarez, Jennifer
Titterington, and Anthony Rubio
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Abstract:
Rationale: Research shows
that students who receive traditional instruction tend to score lower
on standardized tests than those who experience project-based discovery
(Boaler 2002;Stevens 9999). In addition, traditionally schooled
students have harder time applying course content to real world
situations. The “Build Your Dream Home” project is cross-curricular,
interactive, and rich in problem-solving opportunities. These
problems range from discovering the geometric figures present in
assorted areas of the home to chemistry involved in solar power.
Through discovering the processes involved in the design and
construction of their dream homes, students will also be exposed to
professional advice through communication and interaction with
architects and contractors from the community. This is important
because of the outside community service work project with Habitat for
Humanity in the building or remodeling of an existing home that they
will be involved in after the completion of the unit. Working for
programs like Habitat for Humanity to build and remodel existing homes
will give them a strong bond with the community as well as a real-world
application to what they have learned through the project. These professionals will be critiquing and advising student groups on their floor plans and 3-D scale models. Students will learn about the various incentive programs offered by the city of Austin encouraging environmentally friendly homes and apply these incentives to their designs due to the fact that the people of Austin are very concerned about the environment and have demanded that local government agencies go beyond typical environmental policies to embrace very progressive practices. Teams of students will make proposals for renovating an existing house within a budget specified by the client using the constraints of environmentally friendly home building.
Budget:
Science Background As fossil fuels become more scarce, the emphasis on finding alternative energy sources has increased. In building a home, several options have become available commercially such as small wind powered generators and solar panels which may be installed as roof shingles. These forms of renewable energy may be more expensive during the initial installation but will reduce the costs of powering a modern home in a long term context. Another important aspect of a home would be the water supply, which must undergo a certain level of treatment to be termed “potable” water, but which can come from sources such as a well or the city/county supply lines. Water can also be collected from rainwater runoff and systems can be installed to pump the water to various areas around the house or to provide an irrigation system for the landscaping. Building materials vary from one house to another, whether it is wood, brick, aluminum, or vinyl siding. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Wood is cheap and provides a sturdy house and can be used in a variety of decorative forms, however it is susceptible to infestations such as termites and the relatively fast deterioration from natural breakdown if not treated properly. Vinyl is considered a less environmentally friendly material to produce but has a long life span and does not require the upkeep of wood siding. Brick is produced from naturally occurring sources and has a breakdown rate almost as slow as vinyl siding although it cannot easily be redecorated later in the year. Mathematics Background The process of building a dream home from its inception (floor plan) to its execution (actual home) includes many complex mathematics, all of which are related mostly to algebra I and II, and geometry. While a student can create basically any kind of shape house, it is important to know that there are certain shapes that are easier to work than others, all of which relate to geometry. For example, if they want a dome shaped house, or a round house, it is important to note that it will be very hard to get an actual round/circle shaped home because of the fact that most types of materials made to cover a home are not 100% round, except for concrete. Concepts relating to algebra I and geometry that are important to know would be those relating to scaling/using proportions (http://www.math-kitecture.com/floor.htm), and learning about common blueprint symbols used universally by professional architects (http://www.edu.pe.ca/montaguehigh/grass/housing/kitchen/LEG1.HTM). As far as aesthetics as well, it is important to note that not all shapes work together, as in the case of using tessellations to create floor tiles or bathroom tiles. More information can be found in the following websites: Interactive: Geometry in Tessellations http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/lessons/GeometryTessellation/ National Library of Virtual Manipulatives: Tessellations http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_163_g_4_t_3.html?open=activities Interactive:
Tessellations—Geometry and Symmetry
http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/lessons/Tessellations/
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