General Goals

• Create fundamental knowledge

• Explore alternative energy sources and technologies that can sustain a high quality of life for Earth’s inhabitants

• Investigate novel pathways for human energy futures

• Develop human capital

• Foster public understanding of sustainable energy

Specific Goals

• Our main thrust is to design and develop a prototype solar village in Ethiopia.

• Our colleagues in Ethiopia will pick a village to develop that is sufficiently close to our partner institution, Bahir Dar University, to allow significant university participation and yet sufficiently isolated to need electrical power for lighting and water systems. The university president, Dr. Baylie Damtie, is strongly behind this project.

• The curriculum material will be provided in two languages to support local needs and to provide English language “instruction” via parallel streaming of the educational material.

Concurrently, we will develop a heavily science and math-oriented K-8 curriculum enhancement for remote delivery to the village. Equipment to implement the curriculum components are included, as are funds to design, construct, and install the solar power and energy storage systems needed for nighttime living and learning.

Educational Impact

We will work with the Community Service Program of Bahir Dar University to help villagers create micro-industries using the newly available power.

Economic Impact

Health Impact: Adult Education

• We will create medical presentations on aids, public health, etc.

• We will provide information for midwives.

Village in Ethiopia

Distribution system

Solar Panels

Storage System Renovus Energy, Inc.

Lighting and water systems

Education

Ithaca College/ Cornell University/ Great Wilderness

Foundation

Bahir Dar University

Organization

Personnel

Professor Cristina Gomez, Professor of Mathematics Education at Ithaca College (P.I.)

Professor Michael C. Kelley, James A. Friend Family Distinguished Professor of Engineering, Cornell University/School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (co-P.I.)

Dr. Vicki Breazeale, Head, Great Wilderness Foundation (consultant)

Dr. Muna Ndulo, Institute for African Development, Cornell University (co-I.)

Dr. Lisa Schneider, Director, Engineering Learning Initiatives (includes the Undergraduate Research Program and the Academic Excellence Workshops Program), College of Engineering, Cornell University (co-I.)

Dr. Arthur J. Weaver, President, Renovus Energy Inc. (co-P.I.)

President Baylie Damtie, President of Bahir Dar University (collaborator)

Vision

Our vision is to provide solar power to an African village, which we maintain will transform village life in many ways, from the obvious heat, water, and light to more subtle opportunities for developing micro-businesses and increased chances for children to receive higher education. The energy is renewable, essentially permanent and expandable, and no transmission is necessary. We argue that unless this type of energy source is developed locally, people in remote villages will never reach the quality of life they deserve.

Integration

We will integrate science, engineering, and educational principles into this program. Working with Bahir Dar University, we will involve Ethiopian academics to assist in the technical and educational evaluation of success. Our colleagues at the Cornell Institute for African Development will help disseminate our results throughout Africa.

Collaboration

The block diagram shows how we will organize ourselves. The P.I. is in overall charge and brings her expertise in mathematics education. Co-I’s at Cornell are experts in engineering, engineering education, and African development. Renovus Energy is an expert provider of solar energy and storage systems. The founder of the Great Wilderness Foundation is a well-known science educator. And very importantly, the President of Bahir Dar University is an enthusiastic supporter of the project.

Topic Areas

• Energy harvesting and conversion from renewable resources

• Energy storage solutions

• Reducing carbon intensity from energy conversion and use

• Transmission and distribution

Curriculum Development:

Engagement

The purpose of the Engagement is to capture students' interest, ask them to express what they already know about the event or concept presented, and help them make connections between what they know and the new ideas.

Exploration

During the Exploration, students encounter hands-on experiences in which they explore a concept or skill that is related to the "engage" lesson.

Only after students have explored the concept or skill does the lesson provide the Explanations and terms for what students are studying.

Explanations

The next phase helps students Elaborate their understanding of the concept and apply the skill or behavior.

Elaborate

The final part of the lesson plan has as its main purpose to Evaluate what the students know and can do.

Evaluate

Learn