Green Ideas for a New Semester

Handouts and Instructions (PDF)

First Chris Anderson explained the environmental benefit of using hydroponics, and presented the effectiveness of utilizing existing nutrients without using excess water from outside sources. He then demonstrated how a hydroponics system works with the existing set up in our STEM classroom. He then had each attendee create their own mini-system using a two-liter soda bottle, an scrap of cloth, a nutrient rich seed starter, clay pellets and distilled water. Our next presenter, Michael Anderson, showed our participants how to build their own passive solar greenhouse. Attendees split up into groups of two, and each pair received a 2×3 piece of corrugated plastic, clear plastic sheeting, duct tape, and cutting and measuring materials. Once the teams assembled their structure, they added variables to it such as tin cans spray painted black or white, and filled with different types of insulation. Each attendee left the workshop with new tools and activities to use this semester, and a fun new way to approach pre-engineering with an emphasis on environmental awareness.

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TCNJ Cultivates Future Engineers with Solar Car Competition

On Saturday, January 23, 2010, the Future Engineers of Trenton program, in partnership with The College of New Jersey, held a Solar Car Competition at the headquarters of the Boys and Girls Club of Trenton & Mercer County. Participating students from several Trenton middle schools, including PJ Hill, Mott, Grant, and Monument, gathered at 10:00am to race their solar cars on a lighted track, borrowed from TCNJ’s School of Engineering. Each student that participated in Saturday’s event attends weekly after-school sessions of the Future Engineers program at their respective schools, which double as Boys & Girls Club after-school satellite sites. With the guidance of their Future Engineers Instructors, students built solar powered cars over the Fall/Winter 2009 semester, one of several hands-on activities they did after researching alternative forms of energy. The College of New Jersey’s Center for Excellence in STEM Education, in the School of Engineering, receives funding from the Edison Venture Fund to facilitate the Future Engineers program, which cultivates science, technology, engineering and math knowledge and career awareness among Trenton youth. The race was judged by TCNJ staff members Susan Harrison, Michael Anderson, Alison Goeke and Brianna Kurowski. Andre Thomas, the Manager of the Center for Energy and Environmental Training at Isles, Inc. attended the event as the guest speaker. Isles, Inc. is an award-winning, nonprofit community development and environmental organization based in Trenton. Thomas spoke to the students about current trends in the environmental engineering profession, relating these trends to the research, design and product development students have implemented in the Future Engineers program. First Place for fastest car in the Solar Car Competition was awarded to Joshua Lopez and Joseph Vasquez from Monument School. Second Place was given to the Lightest Car that also made it to the finish line. James Munn from Mott School received the trophy with his car weighing in at 107 grams. A Third Place trophy went to Aaliyah McCleese and Breeina Griffin from PJ Hill School for Best Overall Design. Students, parents, instructors and program staff celebrated with lunch after the Award Ceremony. All participants in the day’s events received a prize pack and a certificate to take home.

Monument School Future Engineers Club Builds Solar Cars

The students in the Future Engineers Club at Monument started drafting their ideas for their cars on November 24th, and started building the actual cars on December 1st. Marc Rubinstein, the Club Instructor, shows the students how to create a light frame out of found materials. Each student has a different idea for his or her car, and each model reflects the students’ unique plans.

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Grant School Future Engineers Club Builds Wind Generators

Carlos Avila, Grant’s Future Engineers Club Instructor, shows his students how to create a wind generator from a kit. Mr. Avila’s students learn about the impact of energy use on our environment, and how green technology can help slow the effects of pollution.

Centre Street Boys and Girls Club – Future Engineers Build Solar Cars

The students in the after-school program at the Centre Street Boys and Girls Club of Trenton-Mercer County learn to build solar-powered cars. Mike Anderson showed the children how to connect the “axles” to the wheels for maximum speed. The Centre Street kids had a great time planning their cars and implementing their designs.

Future Engineers of Trenton Instructors Workshop

On Saturday September 26, 2009 the Center for Excellence in STEM Education held the “Go Green with Science, Technology, Engineering & Math” workshop presented by Michael Anderson. The workshop was open to all teachers in New Jersey that were interested in learning ow to build structures that harness wind, solar and geothermal energy and learn hands-on, middle school STEM activities.