General Goals
• Create fundamental knowledge
• Explore alternative energy sources and
technologies that can sustain a high quality of
life for Earth’s inhabitants
• Investigate novel pathways for human energy
futures
• Develop human capital
• Foster public understanding of sustainable
energy
Specific Goals
• Our main thrust is to design and develop a prototype
solar village in Ethiopia.
• Our colleagues in Ethiopia will pick a village to develop
that is sufficiently close to our partner institution, Bahir
Dar University, to allow significant university participation
and yet sufficiently isolated to need electrical power for
lighting and water systems. The university president, Dr.
Baylie Damtie, is strongly behind this project.
• The curriculum material will be provided in two
languages to support local needs and to provide English
language “instruction” via parallel streaming of the
educational material.
Educational Impact
Concurrently, we will develop a heavily science
and math-oriented K-8 curriculum enhancement
for remote delivery to the village. Equipment to
implement the curriculum components are
included, as are funds to design, construct, and
install the solar power and energy storage
systems needed for nighttime living and learning.
Economic Impact
We will work with the Community Service
Program of Bahir Dar University to help
villagers create micro-industries using the
newly available power.
Health Impact: Adult Education
• We will create medical presentations on aids,
public health, etc.
• We will provide information for midwives.
Organization
Solar Panels
Storage System
Lighting and
water systems
Renovus Energy,
Inc.
Distribution
system
Bahir Dar
University
Village in
Ethiopia
Ithaca College/
Cornell University/
Great Wilderness
Foundation
Education
Personnel
Professor Cristina Gomez, Professor of Mathematics Education at Ithaca College
(P.I.)
Professor Michael C. Kelley, James A. Friend Family Distinguished Professor of
Engineering, Cornell University/School of Electrical and Computer
Engineering (co-P.I.)
Dr. Vicki Breazeale, Head, Great Wilderness Foundation (consultant)
Dr. Muna Ndulo, Institute for African Development, Cornell University (co-I.)
Dr. Lisa Schneider, Director, Engineering Learning Initiatives (includes the
Undergraduate Research Program and the Academic Excellence Workshops
Program), College of Engineering, Cornell University (co-I.)
Dr. Arthur J. Weaver, President, Renovus Energy Inc. (co-P.I.)
President Baylie Damtie, President of Bahir Dar University (collaborator)
Vision
Our vision is to provide solar power to an African
village, which we maintain will transform village life in
many ways, from the obvious heat, water, and light to
more subtle opportunities for developing microbusinesses and increased chances for children to
receive higher education. The energy is renewable,
essentially permanent and expandable, and no
transmission is necessary. We argue that unless this
type of energy source is developed locally, people in
remote villages will never reach the quality of life they
deserve.
Integration
We will integrate science, engineering, and
educational principles into this program.
Working with Bahir Dar University, we will
involve Ethiopian academics to assist in the
technical and educational evaluation of success.
Our colleagues at the Cornell Institute for
African Development will help disseminate our
results throughout Africa.
Collaboration
The block diagram shows how we will organize
ourselves. The P.I. is in overall charge and brings
her expertise in mathematics education. Co-I’s at
Cornell are experts in engineering, engineering
education, and African development. Renovus
Energy is an expert provider of solar energy and
storage systems. The founder of the Great
Wilderness Foundation is a well-known science
educator. And very importantly, the President of
Bahir Dar University is an enthusiastic supporter of
the project.
Topic Areas
• Energy harvesting and conversion from
renewable resources
• Energy storage solutions
• Reducing carbon intensity from energy
conversion and use
• Transmission and distribution
Curriculum Development:
Engagement
The purpose of the Engagement is to capture students'
interest, ask them to express what they already know
about the event or concept presented, and help them
make connections between what they know and the
new ideas.
Exploration
During the Exploration, students encounter hands-on
experiences in which they explore a concept or skill that
is related to the "engage" lesson.
Explanations
Only after students have explored the concept or
skill does the lesson provide the Explanations and
terms for what students are studying.
Elaborate
The next phase helps students Elaborate their
understanding of the concept and apply the skill or
behavior.
Evaluate
The final part of the lesson plan has as its main
purpose to Evaluate what the students know and can
do.
Learn