12.11.2007
2008 Future City Competition E-News, Issue 4
Welcome to the Future City Newsletter - Issue 4. This newsletter is here to help you succeed and to share experiences of the many teams competing.
The National Office of the Future City Competition brings this newsletter to you. Please check with your regional coordinator for specific deadlines and additional local information. The regional coordinators' contact information is located at www.futurecity.org.
Topics in this Future City E-Newsletter:
1. Additional Essay Resources
2. The Presentation
3. Getting the Word Out
--Additional Essay Resources
With this year’s essay topic featuring nanotechnology as a solution, here is an additional essay reference resource from Carol Dostal, Future City Indiana Regional Coordinator. This streaming video was filmed/edited by Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne's CATV (College Access TV).
Re: Help Session #2 on “Keeping Our Future City’s Infrastructure Healthy: Using Nanotechnology to Monitor City Structures and Systems”
- open the following file and click on Future City:
http://149.164.68.41/CATV%205/
OR
http://149.164.68.41/CATV%205/launcher.php?file=%2FCATV%205%2FFuture%2Ffuture%20city.wmv
Questions addressed in the streaming video:
1. Explain the role of your field of study (engineering, technology, computer science) in the development of monitoring systems and/or infrastructure?
2. The students have to set up a system to monitor some component of city infrastructure. Please define infrastructure. Do you know of any type of monitoring systems that are already in place or are currently being researched that can serve as examples for the students? Please describe them.
3. Part of this monitoring system involves a “control system”. What is a control system? What is the difference between a central control system and a distributed control system?
4. Can any of you define for the students the following terms:
• Central controller
• Primary server
• Control console
5. What is a sensor and what are examples of things they can sense or detect? What types of sensors are there and how do they work?
6. What are some of the possible means of “communication” that a sensor can use to interact with the controller of a system?
7. Explain the term “actuator”. What types of devices can be actuators?
8. Explain how an actuator automatically initiates an action from some other object or sends a signal to humans? What are some of the various types of automatic responses or triggers that an actuator can use? Is there any advanced research going on right now in this area for the future that you know of?
9. What is nanotechnology? How can it be used with the monitoring systems we have just discussed? Are there any examples of nanotechnology/monitoring that you can describe?
10. What are the various parts of a control system that can use nanotechnology?
--The Presentation
Local engineers and other professionals will be judging you according to the standards listed in the handbook. The best presenters are those who are well rehearsed and comfortable with the material.
--Have students that haven't taken part in the project listen to your presentation and ask questions
--Ask other teachers from various disciplines to listen in and ask questions
--Use the questions in the Handbook (A-63)
--Include the various engineering related jobs needed to run a city
--Work on "handing off" to each other so that the presentation is smooth
--Show teamwork by adding to each others' answers - remember that when a question is asked, it's to all of you, not just one member
--Getting the Word Out
Consider inviting local media to attend work sessions (check with your school first). You may wish to videotape your progress, as some districts have access to local tv/video output resources. This is a great way to generate enthusiasm as the time commitment increases for your team. You may also wish to photograph each phase for school news and presentations to the community or school board at a later date. Don't forget to include the team's progress in your school's PA announcements, web site and publications. Let everyone know about the competition date so that plans can be made to attend!
Parents and community members take pride in the accomplishments of children in their schools; presenting the work of these great young minds is one more positive you can offer your community as a school.
Keep going -you are almost to the finish line!
Next Future City Competition E-News, December 18, 2007
The National Office of the Future City Competition brings this newsletter to you. Please check with your regional coordinator for specific deadlines and additional local information. The regional coordinators' contact information is located at www.futurecity.org.
Topics in this Future City E-Newsletter:
1. Additional Essay Resources
2. The Presentation
3. Getting the Word Out
--Additional Essay Resources
With this year’s essay topic featuring nanotechnology as a solution, here is an additional essay reference resource from Carol Dostal, Future City Indiana Regional Coordinator. This streaming video was filmed/edited by Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne's CATV (College Access TV).
Re: Help Session #2 on “Keeping Our Future City’s Infrastructure Healthy: Using Nanotechnology to Monitor City Structures and Systems”
- open the following file and click on Future City:
http://149.164.68.41/CATV%205/
OR
http://149.164.68.41/CATV%205/launcher.php?file=%2FCATV%205%2FFuture%2Ffuture%20city.wmv
Questions addressed in the streaming video:
1. Explain the role of your field of study (engineering, technology, computer science) in the development of monitoring systems and/or infrastructure?
2. The students have to set up a system to monitor some component of city infrastructure. Please define infrastructure. Do you know of any type of monitoring systems that are already in place or are currently being researched that can serve as examples for the students? Please describe them.
3. Part of this monitoring system involves a “control system”. What is a control system? What is the difference between a central control system and a distributed control system?
4. Can any of you define for the students the following terms:
• Central controller
• Primary server
• Control console
5. What is a sensor and what are examples of things they can sense or detect? What types of sensors are there and how do they work?
6. What are some of the possible means of “communication” that a sensor can use to interact with the controller of a system?
7. Explain the term “actuator”. What types of devices can be actuators?
8. Explain how an actuator automatically initiates an action from some other object or sends a signal to humans? What are some of the various types of automatic responses or triggers that an actuator can use? Is there any advanced research going on right now in this area for the future that you know of?
9. What is nanotechnology? How can it be used with the monitoring systems we have just discussed? Are there any examples of nanotechnology/monitoring that you can describe?
10. What are the various parts of a control system that can use nanotechnology?
--The Presentation
Local engineers and other professionals will be judging you according to the standards listed in the handbook. The best presenters are those who are well rehearsed and comfortable with the material.
--Have students that haven't taken part in the project listen to your presentation and ask questions
--Ask other teachers from various disciplines to listen in and ask questions
--Use the questions in the Handbook (A-63)
--Include the various engineering related jobs needed to run a city
--Work on "handing off" to each other so that the presentation is smooth
--Show teamwork by adding to each others' answers - remember that when a question is asked, it's to all of you, not just one member
--Getting the Word Out
Consider inviting local media to attend work sessions (check with your school first). You may wish to videotape your progress, as some districts have access to local tv/video output resources. This is a great way to generate enthusiasm as the time commitment increases for your team. You may also wish to photograph each phase for school news and presentations to the community or school board at a later date. Don't forget to include the team's progress in your school's PA announcements, web site and publications. Let everyone know about the competition date so that plans can be made to attend!
Parents and community members take pride in the accomplishments of children in their schools; presenting the work of these great young minds is one more positive you can offer your community as a school.
Keep going -you are almost to the finish line!
Next Future City Competition E-News, December 18, 2007