Wheelchairs and Cook Stoves Assessment

List the design features of each of the wheelchairs and cook stoves shown below that were driven by each of the ‘bilities that we discussed in class. Refer to the reading assignments for additional information on the materials, techniques and processes used in the manufacture of both wheelchairs and cook stoves. On a separate page, discuss what you think were the major drivers of each design, and what trade-offs were made.

Book Group

The four books that comprise Reading Assignment #7 are divided among four groups of students

Small is Beautiful
Gaviotas
Cradle to Cradle
Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid

Design Project Work

This is a series of assignments around a design project for the course D-Lab II: Design.

Discussion Questions 2

Write short answers to the following questions and submit them.

Mini-Project: Affordable Rainwater Harvesting System

The goal of the Mini Project is to design an affordable rainwater harvesting system that is made up of several small storage units that can be fit with attachments for drinking, cooking, hand washing and irrigation (and possibly other applications too). We will have a chance to experiment with some of the technologies that may influence the design (SODIS water bags, tippy tap hand washers and IDE drip irrigation kits) in class Ses #4.

Technology Critique

Interact with and critique technology from a variety of perspectives

Assignment 3: Exploration and Environment

In planning your paper, you will have to make a number of decisions, some of which you’ve already done. You’ve already chosen the subject upon which you will base your essay (if you’re not happy with this choice, you may still change your mind, but it will mean repeating many of the steps you’ve already taken): now it’s time to focus in on some aspect of your topic and how it relates to the environment. How did nonhuman environments shape or impact the expedition or explorer you focus on? How did a particular moment in exploration change the way people understand the natural world, or the way we live in it?

Assignment 1

Select one of the readings from Mancall and explain the environmental assumptions implicit in its author’s response to the New World and his understanding of the possibilities it presents. These possibilities should include agriculture and natural resources, but may also extend to mercantile, military, and cultural issues. In addition, you should compare these early responses to the New World to a modern interpretation, either the one offered by William Cronon, or that of Judith Carney or J. R. McNeill (or a combination of the three, if you are feeling ambitious). In either case, don’t just offer abstract generalizations—be sure to refer specifically to the texts.

Problem Set 1

Problem set for the course Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry.

Assignment 2 - EPA Open Docket on Pesticides

The EPA has opened docket ID: EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0844 to review neonicotinoids, pesticides that may have an adverse effect on pollinators, including bees. You have been asked by your client to review the EPA primary and supporting documents and provide a 2-page memo of comments to the EPA stating your position. You may choose your client. Decide who you will represent—an advocacy group, a state environmental protection agency, a farmer, etc.

SCALES

This website features work from the completion of Phase 1 of the SCALES Project.

We are currently seeking partnerships for Phase 2.

Systems Thinking