Lime Lightbulb: Powering the Future with Citrus
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we use the natural resources available to us, like limes, to create sustainable energy solutions that minimize environmental impact and promote human activity, even as climate changes?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How can we generate electricity from a lime?
- What are the environmental impacts of traditional batteries compared to lime batteries?
- How does the availability of resources like citrus fruits affect human activity and energy production?
- In what ways can natural resources be used to create sustainable energy solutions?
- How do changes in climate affect the availability and viability of using limes as a source of energy?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand the principles of electricity generation using a lime battery.
- Compare and contrast the environmental impacts of traditional batteries and lime batteries.
- Investigate the relationship between natural resources, climate change, and human activity in the context of energy production.
- Design and optimize a lime battery for maximum energy output.
- Evaluate the potential of lime batteries as a sustainable energy solution in different environmental conditions.
NGSS
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsLocal Blackout Challenge
A local power outage plunges the [location] into darkness. Students must use the lime batteries they create to power essential devices, like a flash light, highlighting our reliance on electricity and sparking interest in alternative energy sources.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Lime Battery Engineering Project: Poster Presentation
Students will design, build, and test a lime battery, optimizing its design for maximum voltage and current output. They will experiment with different electrode materials, lime varieties, and configurations to improve performance.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA poster presentation detailing the design process, materials used, experimental results, and optimization strategies.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsDirectly aligns with HS-ESS3-1 by challenging students to optimize the lime battery for maximum output, linking resource use efficiency to energy production and sustainable practices.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioLime Battery Engineering Project: Poster Presentation Rubric
Poster Presentation
Assessment of the student's ability to articulate and demonstrate their understanding through a poster presentation on the Lime Battery Engineering Project.Project Purpose and Alignment
Clarity and accuracy of the project's purpose and its connection to sustainable energy goals.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a comprehensive and insightful summary, clearly articulating the project's alignment with sustainable energy goals and its significance in addressing environmental challenges.
Proficient
3 PointsSummarizes the project's purpose and its alignment with sustainable energy goals accurately, demonstrating a good understanding of the project's context.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a basic summary of the project's purpose but demonstrates a limited understanding of its connection to sustainable energy goals.
Beginning
1 PointsFails to adequately summarize the project's purpose or its connection to sustainable energy goals, showing a lack of understanding.
Scientific Explanation
Explanation of the scientific principles behind lime battery operation.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides an in-depth and accurate explanation of the scientific principles behind lime battery operation, including all relevant chemical reactions and energy transfer processes.
Proficient
3 PointsExplains the scientific principles behind lime battery operation accurately and completely, demonstrating a solid understanding of the underlying science.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic explanation of the scientific principles behind lime battery operation but may have some inaccuracies or omissions.
Beginning
1 PointsFails to adequately explain the scientific principles behind lime battery operation, showing a significant lack of understanding.
Design and Construction
Detailing the design and construction process, including materials and methods used.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a comprehensive and detailed account of the lime battery's design and construction, clearly explaining the rationale behind material choices and methods used, with innovative solutions.
Proficient
3 PointsDetails the design and construction of the lime battery thoroughly, explaining the materials used and methods followed effectively.
Developing
2 PointsDescribes the design and construction of the lime battery but lacks detail in explaining the rationale behind material choices or methods.
Beginning
1 PointsFails to adequately describe the design and construction of the lime battery, showing a lack of clarity or detail.
Data Presentation and Analysis
Presentation and analysis of data collected during experimentation, including voltage/current output and optimizations.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents a thorough, well-organized analysis of the data collected, demonstrating exceptional insight in interpreting voltage and current outputs and optimizations. Connects these findings to broader implications.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents the data collected clearly and accurately, including voltage and current outputs, and explains the optimizations made effectively.
Developing
2 PointsPresents the data collected but lacks clarity in the presentation or analysis, with limited discussion of optimizations.
Beginning
1 PointsFails to adequately present or analyze the data collected, showing a lack of understanding of the experimental results.
Results Discussion
Discussion of project results, including success of the lime battery and challenges encountered.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a thoughtful and comprehensive discussion of the project results, demonstrating deep insight into the lime battery's success and challenges, with innovative suggestions for future improvements and expansions.
Proficient
3 PointsDiscusses the results of the project effectively, explaining the success of the lime battery and any challenges encountered clearly.
Developing
2 PointsDiscusses the results of the project but lacks depth in explaining the success of the lime battery or the challenges encountered.
Beginning
1 PointsFails to adequately discuss the results of the project, showing a lack of understanding of the outcomes and challenges.
Environmental Impact
Explanation of how natural resources and climate change affect the viability of lime batteries.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a sophisticated explanation of how natural resources and climate change affect the viability of lime batteries, demonstrating a deep understanding of the complex interrelationships and offering insightful solutions.
Proficient
3 PointsExplains how natural resources and climate change affect the viability of lime batteries effectively, demonstrating a good understanding of the key factors involved.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic explanation of how natural resources and climate change affect the viability of lime batteries but may lack depth or accuracy.
Beginning
1 PointsFails to adequately explain how natural resources and climate change affect the viability of lime batteries, showing a significant lack of understanding.