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

We are currently seeking partnerships for Phase 2.

Written Report

  • Assignment 4

    The fourth and last phase of our first lab consists of the following: 

    1. Download data from your second test period, which should be a week long and a minimum of six days. 
    2. Compare your measured data with an after-the-fact prediction made with measured outdoor temperature and solar radiation. 
    3. Adapt the provided Matlab .m file to accurately simulate your elf house. 
    4. Prepare a 10-minute presentation for lab next week to describe your work, which should include all data and as much analysis as you have been able to perform. No need to cover Mr. Potato Head. No late presentations, please!
    5. Prepare a written lab report using the provided checklist and submit the report in lab in two weeks. 
    Read more: Assignment 4

  • Course Project

    The course is designed around collaborations focused on specific student deliverables. My intention is to create student “teams” among class members who will collaborate on specific short-term activities that will build on ongoing research and inform the ultimate class output, a response to the Draft Interim CECP, including (1) a meta-analysis of recent surveys of current, former, and potential transit riders, geared toward understanding attitudes toward personal mobility and transit specifically, and how they may have evolved, and (2) a similar analysis of global “best practices” in connection with transit operations designed to ensure public health and rider confidence. This will require review of relevant material (which will be included in the readings) and additional (reasonably modest) research to identify gaps, new material, and insights that combine to synthesize extant research and surveys relevant to the course purpose.

    Read more: Course Project

  • Term Project

    The purpose of the term projects is to research and study an energy conversion technology in greater depth than possible in class. The project should incorporate thermodynamic analysis if dealing with thermal energy as well as the energy source/fuel, methods of conversion, targeted power range, political and economic constraints, and competing technologies. A technical report and a presentation session will be the final deliverables for the project.

    Read more: Term Project

  • Graduate Course Project

    Each graduate student taking this class for credit should decide on a term-project. We ask for a 10-page written report (maximum length), and a 20 minute oral presentation to the class before the end of term. Undergraduates do not have to give an oral report (but may, if they wish) and a six-page paper is acceptable. Projects can expand on something covered in class, or be some climate-relevant project not touched upon. In the past, most such projects have been reviews of some interesting topics. A few students have succeeded in doing an original piece of work, but this is certainly not a requirement.

    Read more: Graduate Course Project

  • Assignment 3: Big Plan

    In Assignment 1, you explored the city through large-scale processes. In Assignment 2, you focused on unearthing key issues in specific Boston/Cambridge neighborhoods. For your final assignment, you will form your own vision, your own Big Plan.

    Read more: Assignment 3: Big Plan

  • Assignment 2: Site Probes

    In teams of 1, 2, OR 3, students will conduct visits to sites of their own choice. Using direct observation, photography, mapping, and online data collection, you will “probe” your site, uncovering social, political, economic, physical, and environmental conditions specific to that place.

    Read more: Assignment 2: Site Probes

  • Assignment 1: Elemental Case Study

    Small group project exploring the urban/planning implications of water, food, “nature” (however specifically defined), energy, and communications in the Boston area. Each small group will be assigned an “element” to research and document.

    Read more: Assignment 1: Elemental Case Study

Notice something that doesn’t seem right? Want to make a suggestion or provide feedback about how something is classified? 
Please reach out to esi [at] mit.edu and include SCALES Website in the subject of your email.
Feedback and any actions taken with regards to the feedback, will be shared as they are addressed.