Let's create continuous conversations about climate change education: Spreading the Sediment of Science!
A Sustainable Cooling System Made with Wet Terracotta Cones
Provided by: The Kid Should See This |Published on: May 23, 2022
Articles/Websites Grades 6-8, 9-12
Synopsis
- This video, brief article, and time-lapse video investigates an idea to cool the air that is cheap, simple, and better for the environment than traditional air conditioners.
- The architect, Monish Siripurapu, describes his invention that uses porous terracotta pots and water to cool the air, similar to evaporative cooling systems.
Subjects: Physics, Engineering
Authors: The Kid Should See This, UN Environment Programme
Region: Asia
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This video highlights a real-world example of an architect and engineer solving problems and positively impacting his own community.
- The video is a great example of innovations happening in India, while also bringing attention to challenges with sustainable development.
- The video and the article use simple enough descriptions to be appropriate for many ages.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should be familiar with the terms biomimicry and evaporation.
Differentiation
- Science classes can use this resource to highlight natural, low-tech solutions to problems and could extend the lesson by watching the linked video about animals that have engineered air conditioning using their environment.
- Physics classes could investigate this phenomenon in more depth by performing an experiment using terra-cotta planters to understand why they are an effective cooling device.
- Social studies classes could use this video to discuss the need for affordable alternatives to traditional air conditioners, which use gases that are extremely powerful greenhouse gases.
- Similar resources include this video about using heat pumps as a cooling device and this video about an initiative in New York City to reduce the urban heat island effect.
Scientist Notes
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Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
The Kid Should See This
The Kid Should See This is a Webby award-winning collection of over 7,000 kid-friendly videos, curated for teachers and parents who want to share smarter, more meaningful media in the classroom and at home. Selections are grown-up-friendly, too. And thanks to TKSST members, it’s free and ad-free for everyone. Start conversations, spark questions, and inspire offline exploration for all ages.
All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.
