SAVY 2019: Session 4, Day 4 – Circuitry, Systems, and Design (Rising 3rd/4th)
Dear SAVY Parents,
Is anyone wondering about the implications of a possible tropical storm coming to our area and how it might affect the local power grid? We did today! We are thankful for those that keep us powered up with great design planning and reliable responses to emergencies.
In regard to being thankful – we are much appreciative to the quality support of Joseph Cauthen and Glen Gibbs from NES. During our curriculum studies, we developed questions that could only be answered by an expert. Today heard an informative lecture and voiced questions in person to these experts! Some questions were technical, others more issue-oriented. Their responses were amazingly helpful and compelling. We especially appreciated their reflection on how they worked to develop their own talent. Great guidance! Where is electricity for Nashville’s power grid generated? Will we soon be able to “beam” electricity on a large scale, or will we be forever connected to a wire distribution system? What are the considerations for priorities when planning grid designs? What safeguards are built in to protect the grid? Consider this online resource with your child and formulate more questions for independent research! TVA Power Systems
Another fun video you can share with your child has to do with our work to “scale up” interactions at the atomic level in order to gain greater understanding. We’ve acted out how electrons behave in circuits with both AC and DC currents as well as with resistors. We found some other scholars that are presenting their complex understanding of electron behavior as well! Enjoy! Dance Your PhD!
Finally, with all our accumulated knowledge, students began to design their own electric grids for a fictitious city approximately the same size (in square miles) as Nashville. What are the major energy users, and do we have an adequate plan for current needs (pun intended) as well as future growth needs? Can we assure our customers that the lights will stay on even when weather or usage patterns become extreme?
One final word of thanks to Megan McMaster, our teacher assistant for this course. She has been amazing, and indispensable! We both invite you to plan to attend our Parent Open House tomorrow at 3:15. We look forward to sharing your child’s work.
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