Ecotecture: Sustainable Architecture Mini-Course
In this mini-course, students will build geodesic domes, solar ovens, trash bricks, eco-water filters, and design an eco home
Emily Jaeger
Average rating:
4.7
Number of reviews:(100)
What's included
5 live meetings
4 hrs 35 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
Eco-tecture is back, with even more building! In this week long course learners will be introduced to the concept of sustainability and how sustainability relates to architecture. Each day we will cover a new element of sustainable architecture: alternative buildings, alternate fuel, alternative materials, and grey water. We will design a room in our eco house and do a small building project based on the concept of the day. On the last day, students will build a prototype of their sustainable from recycled materials found around the house. This course will use slides/video clips, lecture, hands-on building activities, and group discussion. Alternate Buildings We will draw a basic blue print of our current home. We will discuss alternative buildings that are eco-friendly. We will build a small geodesic dome from newspaper. Alternate Energy We will redesign our kitchen with alternative fuels. We will explore multiple types of alternative energy sources: solar, water turbine, biodigestor/methane gas and build a solar oven and/or dehydrator to make brownies or dried fruit. Alternate Materials We will redesign a bedroom/living space with alternative materials. We will examine alternative building materials that are easy to replace (cob, trash, etc) and build our own trash bricks. Alternate Plumbing We will redesign our bathroom to use a grey water system. We will discuss grey water systems and the challenges of cleaning contaminated water. Learners will experiment with different filtration options for cleaning dirty water. Building Day Today we will put it all together! Students will revise plans for their new eco-house and build it from recycled materials and/or other building supplies around the house.
Learning Goals
Learners will be able to define sustainability, interpret example of sustainable houses based on this definition, apply their knowledge to multiple prototypes.
Other Details
Supply List
Lesson 1: paper/pen, 4+ sheets of newspaper, tape, skewer/chopstick/standard pencil. Scissors are also recommended. Lesson 2: we will be making a solar oven. You will need: pen, paper, a cardboard box (pizza box, shoe box, amazon delivery box), tinfoil, plastic wrap, tape, black construction paper or black paint + paint brush, scissors, stick/pencil/straw. Suggested things to experiment cooking in solar oven: heating up a slice of pizza, grilled cheese, smores (we don't have time to cook in class, you can try this at home). Lesson 3: we will need soda bottles, trash, and a stick that fits inside the top of the soda bottle (But is strong) to press contents down. Lesson 4: you will need water, food dye (optional) dish soap, tub to hold water, large cup or tupperware, filtration materials: recycled materials, sponges, moss, pebbles, leaves etc. Lesson 5: you will need recycled and/or building materials, tape--we will be making model houses.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined April, 2020
4.7
100reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Over the past nine years of my career as an experiential educator, I have taught every age group from pre-schoolers to retirees in private school, camp, university-level, and more. With a bachelor's degree in Ancient Near Eastern Studies (Brandeis 2011), an M.F.A in Creative Writing (UMASS Boston 2017), and past service as an agricultural extensionist for Peace Corps, Paraguay, I couple knowledge of the ancient world with survival skills, poetry with animal husbandry.
My classes are learner-centered--I want to know what you are curious about so we can explore together. I care about each of my students (especially in these difficult times) and I hope our adventures together will be nurturing as well as educational.
My specialties include: Ancient Near East/Mesopotamia, Creative Writing, Literature, Agriculture, Spanish, Hebrew, Guarani (indigenous language), Bible (and its historical context), Recycled Art, Vegan Cooking, WWII, and Judaic Studies. Reviews
Live Group Class
$60
for 5 classes1x per week, 5 weeks
55 min
Completed by 130 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-13
3-10 learners per class
