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ENGR 100.450:  Harness the Wind – Green Engineering (CLaSP)

Faculty:

Roger De Roo (CLaSP),

Liz Getsoian (TechComm),

Karen Springsteen (TechComm)

Winter Term

Course Description:

An unavoidable consequence of using fossil fuel (usually coal) for electric power production is the creation of carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas primarily responsible for climate change.

There is much public discussion of the need to migrate from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. But how? That’s where engineers come in.

This section introduces students to the engineering profession by exploring the engineering challenges to using renewable energy as a “green” alternative to fossil fuels. Students learn concepts of renewable energy, culminating in a team-based term project to produce a device that scavenges wind energy to perform a task. In producing a complex device, which requires some knowledge of atmospheric science, aerodynamics, mechanics, and electrical engineering, the students are exposed to an interdisciplinary approach to engineering projects.

Term Project

Design a renewable wind energy system to power a north campus community demonstration project

Drawing of a robot holding sign that says “I love ENGR 100” on whiteboard
Student drilling two pieces of wood together
Black toolbox filled with colorful parts on table in front of classroom