Designing a Water Pump for African Village
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Designing a Water Pump for African Village

Grade 12Science2 days
★★★★★
5.0 (1 rating)
In this project, 12th-grade students engage in designing a water pump for an African village, focusing on sustainable practices and efficient power calculations. The project’s inquiry framework guides students through understanding the environmental, geographical, and mathematical factors involved. Students progress through various activities, from calculating power requirements to designing pump prototypes, which they present as viable solutions. This project aims not only to advance students' engineering skills but also to enhance their ability to incorporate sustainability into practical applications.
Water Pump DesignSustainabilityMathematical CalculationsEngineeringEnergy ConversionEnvironmental ImpactPrototype Development
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we effectively design and calculate the power requirements for a water pump to sustainably extract water from an aquifer in an African village, considering environmental, geographical, and mathematical factors?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What factors must be considered when sizing a pump for extracting water from an aquifer?
  • How do environmental and geographical elements influence the choice of a pump?
  • What are the mathematical principles involved in calculating the power requirement of a water pump?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Understand the principles of sizing a pump for water extraction from an aquifer.
  • Apply mathematical calculations to determine the power requirements for a water pump.
  • Evaluate environmental and geographical factors that impact the design of a water pump system.
  • Discuss sustainable practices in engineering solutions for resource-limited settings.
  • Demonstrate the ability to design a technological device within given constraints.

Next Generation Science Standards

HS-PS3-3
Primary
Design, build, and refine a device that works within given constraints to convert one form of energy into another form of energy.Reason: This standard aligns with the project's need for students to design a pump system (device) that efficiently converts mechanical energy to move water from an aquifer.
HS-ESS3-4
Secondary
Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.Reason: The project involves designing a sustainable solution, addressing human impacts on water systems in an African village.
HS-PS3-1
Supporting
Create a computational model to calculate the change in the energy of one component in a system when the change in energy of the other components and energy flows in and out of the system are known.Reason: Calculating the power requirements of a pump involves creating models to assess energy changes and flows within the system.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Engineer Challenge: Power the Village

Challenge students to become engineers for a day where they must propose several solutions to power a water pump in a village. Equip them with virtual design tools and real data, pushing them to think about energy sources, environmental impacts, and economic feasibility.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Calculation Crash Course

After understanding the foundational principles, students will calculate the power requirements needed for a water pump to lift water from an aquifer, mastering the mathematical aspect of the project.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Review mathematical formulas associated with calculating power, flow rates, and energy efficiency in water pumps.
2. Using these formulas, calculate hypothetical power requirements for different flow rates and heights.
3. Perform peer review of calculations in groups to ensure accuracy and understanding.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA set of completed calculations demonstrating the power requirements for a hypothetical pump scenario.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMeets HS-PS3-1 standards by applying mathematical models to calculate energy requirements.
Activity 2

Sustainable Design Dialogue

Students will now focus on retrofitting their pump designs considering environmental impacts, fostering discussions around sustainable and feasible solutions for water extraction.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Investigate various energy sources and their feasibility in an African village setting, considering cost, availability, and sustainability.
2. Work in teams to propose an environmentally conscious design for the water pump system.
3. Present designs to the class, highlighting how they meet sustainability and efficiency criteria.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA design proposal for a sustainable pump system, including a presentation to showcase the environmental, energy, and economic feasibility.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports HS-PS3-3 and HS-ESS3-4, focusing on sustainable technology design and human impact evaluation.
Activity 3

Prototype and Pitch

Students will create a prototype of their chosen pump design, integrating their calculations and sustainability considerations, and pitch it as a viable solution for water extraction in the village.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Develop a small-scale prototype of the proposed pump using materials provided or available in class.
2. Integrate both the mechanical and sustainability elements into the prototype.
3. Prepare a presentation that pitches this prototype to the rest of the class and potentially to community members or a panel of experts.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA functional small-scale prototype of a water pump and a presentation pitch detailing its design and sustainability.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCulminates in meeting design and sustainability goals covered by HS-PS3-3 and HS-ESS3-4.
Activity 4

Pump Power Principles

In this foundational activity, students will explore the basic principles of pump operation and gain an understanding of the factors essential for sizing a pump in extracting water.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research the basic function and operation of water pumps, focusing on the components and mechanisms that enable them to move water.
2. Identify and list the factors important for sizing a pump, such as the desired water flow rate and the height of water displacement.
3. Discuss in groups how these principles apply specifically to pumping water from an aquifer and draft a concept map to visually represent these factors.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA concept map detailing the principles and factors involved in pump operation and sizing.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with the learning goal of understanding pump sizing principles and supports HS-ESS3-4.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Water Pump Design and Sustainability Rubric

Category 1

Mathematical Calculations

Evaluates students' ability to apply mathematical principles to calculate power requirements for water pumps.
Criterion 1

Accuracy of Calculations

Measures the correctness and accuracy of power calculations for the pump.

Exemplary
4 Points

Calculations are precise and accurate, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of mathematical models and principles.

Proficient
3 Points

Calculations are mostly correct, with minor errors that do not affect overall outcomes, indicating a thorough understanding.

Developing
2 Points

Calculations show basic understanding but contain several errors that affect the outcomes.

Beginning
1 Points

Calculations are incomplete or mostly incorrect, showing minimal understanding.

Criterion 2

Application of Mathematical Models

Assesses the appropriate use of mathematical models in calculating pump power requirements.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates sophisticated use of models, integrating all relevant mathematical principles seamlessly.

Proficient
3 Points

Appropriately uses relevant mathematical models with a good understanding of their application.

Developing
2 Points

Uses some appropriate models but lacks consistency and accuracy in applying them.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to apply mathematical models accurately.

Category 2

Design and Sustainability

Assesses students' capability to propose and design sustainable pump systems for resource-limited settings.
Criterion 1

Sustainability Considerations

Evaluates student's ability to incorporate sustainability into their pump designs.

Exemplary
4 Points

Designs are highly innovative, thoroughly integrating sustainability with clear economic, environmental, and social considerations.

Proficient
3 Points

Designs adequately integrate sustainability with good consideration of various factors.

Developing
2 Points

Designs show some consideration for sustainability, with major areas for improvement.

Beginning
1 Points

Designs lack sustainability considerations, showing minimal understanding.

Criterion 2

Innovation and Creativity

Measures the level of creativity and innovation in the design proposals.

Exemplary
4 Points

Proposals are highly innovative, demonstrating significant creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.

Proficient
3 Points

Proposals show good levels of innovation, effectively addressing design challenges creatively.

Developing
2 Points

Proposals show some creativity but lack significant innovation or originality.

Beginning
1 Points

Proposals lack creativity, are conventional and unoriginal.

Category 3

Collaboration and Presentation

Evaluates students' ability to collaborate in teams and effectively present their designs.
Criterion 1

Team Collaboration

Assesses the ability to work collaboratively to develop and refine design proposals.

Exemplary
4 Points

Shows leadership and actively contributes to team discussions, facilitating a strong collaborative environment.

Proficient
3 Points

Contributes effectively to the team, assisting in developing collaborative proposals and solutions.

Developing
2 Points

Participates in collaboration but with limited contributions or engagement.

Beginning
1 Points

Minimal participation in group activities, requires guidance to collaborate effectively.

Criterion 2

Presentation Skills

Measures the effectiveness of the presentation of the pump designs and prototype.

Exemplary
4 Points

Presentation is clear, persuasive, and engaging, with well-supported arguments and exceptional delivery.

Proficient
3 Points

Presentation is clear and informative, with supported arguments and effective delivery.

Developing
2 Points

Presentation is moderately clear, with some supporting arguments but lacks engagement.

Beginning
1 Points

Presentation lacks clarity and structure, ineffective in engaging the audience.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflecting on your experience in this project, what was the most surprising aspect you learned about designing and calculating power requirements for a water pump in an African village?

Text
Required
Question 2

How confident do you feel about applying mathematical models to real-world engineering problems, such as calculating energy requirements for a water pump?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which aspects of the sustainable pump design process did you find most challenging, and how did you overcome these challenges?

Text
Required
Question 4

Do you think retrofitting existing water pump systems in resource-limited settings with sustainable solutions is a feasible approach to water extraction? Why or why not?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Yes, it is feasible and practical
No, it is not feasible due to resource constraints
It depends on the specific setting and resources available
Question 5

On a scale from 1 to 5, how well do you understand the environmental and geographical factors affecting water pump system design after completing this project?

Scale
Required