Project-MOONSHOT ACADEMY

SDG community challenge

Disciplines/Subjects: Social Sciences，design thinking Key Themes: Sustainability, Marginalized Groups, Community Action Have you ever heard about sustainable development or Sustainble Development Goals? Why are they important? Are they close/relevant to our lives? When more government, organizations, businesses, schools are adpoting SDG in their own daily operation, shall we and can we get more MSAers on board? Your goal in this comprehensive project is to develop a SDG-related campaign to raise community' members's awareness about your chosen topic. This year, we have a specific focus on the interplay of environmental and social problems. You will join the month-long "From Moon to Earth" campaign initiated by the social sciences department, the Blue, and the Green Houses.

Impact of Protected Areas in Brazilian Amazon

Disciplines/Subjects: Environmental Science, Ecology, Political Science, Economics Key Themes: Impact of Protected Areas (PAs) in the Brazilian Amazon, highlighting both the benefits and costs associated with these conservation efforts The article, "Impact of Protected Areas in Brazilian Amazon," examines the complex relationship between Protected Areas (PAs) and their impact on the Brazilian Amazon rainforest. The Amazon rainforest plays a vital role in regulating global climate and is home to a significant portion of Earth's terrestrial species12. Deforestation, driven by the need for ranching and agriculture, threatens this ecosystem, leading to biodiversity loss and increased carbon emissions2. PAs have emerged as a crucial strategy to mitigate deforestation and preserve the Amazon.

How does adjusting the amount of the additives of sorbitol, glycerin, and titanium dioxide affect the properties of CMC-gelatin-agar plastic?

Disciplines/Subjects: Materials Science and Engineering; Polymer Chemistry; Environmental Science; Microbiology Key Themes: Sustainable Alternatives to Petroleum-Based Plastics This research investigates the impact of different additives on the properties of biodegradable plastics made from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), gelatin, and agar. The study focuses on sorbitol and glycerin as plasticizers to improve the plastic's ductility, and titanium dioxide (TiO2) to enhance its color. The researchers found that glycerin and sorbitol effectively increased the plastic's flexibility. They also observed that TiO2 successfully adjusted the film's color, making it whiter. The study concludes that adjusting the additive amounts is crucial for achieving a balance of desired properties in CMC-gelatin-agar plastic6. The research suggests that this type of biodegradable plastic has the potential to replace traditional petroleum-based plastics, contributing to environmental protection.

Phenological Investigations: Understanding Plant Responses to Environmental Changes

Disciplines/Subjects: Phenology, Botany, Ecology Key Themes: Phenology, Plant Physiology, Data Collection and Analysis, Environmental Changes Students will take on the role of phenologists, scientists who study the timing of biological events about environmental conditions. This project will involve observing and documenting the phenological stages of various plant species on the school campus, and analyzing how environmental factors influence these stages. This real-world task allows students to engage in authentic scientific inquiry and produce meaningful outputs that could be used for ecological studies or shared with the local community.

The Roar of the Mortar: An Invincible Siege Weapon

Disciplines/Subjects: Physics, Engineering, Computer Science Key Themes: Experiment Design, Scientific Calculation and Derivation, Engineering Manufacturing and Processing What is the experience of designing and making a "weapon"? Let's feel together with the students from Introduction to Physics, experience the hardships of the process and the beauty of the results, the agony of failure and the joy of success. Welcome to our Physics Project Exhibition. In this project, students have designed and simulated an important historical task from a war scenario—accurately hitting an enemy command center with simulated artillery shells. In this challenge, students not only apply fundamental principles of physics but also require innovative thinking, practical experimental design, and the application of their knowledge to solve real-world problems. The core task of the project is to use an existing tennis ball launcher or various "weapons" designed and built by students to simulate the firing of artillery shells. By adjusting parameters such as launch angle and initial velocity, students aim to hit distant targets with precision. The challenge was completed in three different ways: Experimental Method: Students designed and implemented multiple experiments to explore how launch angle and initial speed affect the trajectory of the balls. Through data analysis, they determined the optimal launch parameters. Theoretical Method: Using the physics of projectile motion, students performed precise mathematical calculations to predict the landing point of the artillery shells, determining the exact launch angle and velocity needed to hit the target. Engineering Design Method: Some students took on the challenge of designing and building their launchers. Through experimental testing, they continually refined their devices, striving to improve shooting accuracy through precise engineering. This project not only involves fundamental physics knowledge but also cultivates students' creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Through this exhibition, you will see how students have turned theoretical knowledge into practical solutions, demonstrating their learning journey from theory to application.

Energy Hacker-Reviving Spaces for Efficiency

Disciplines/Subjects: Physics, Mathematics, Environmental Science, Engineering, Computer Science, Sustainable Development and Energy Management Key Themes: Sustainable Development, 3D Printing, Energy Management This project focuses on creating an energy-efficient renovation system for school classrooms through innovative energy technologies and design methods. We are developing a comprehensive energy efficiency improvement plan aimed at maximizing classroom energy efficiency and minimizing energy waste through the use of renewable energy and energy-saving technologies. Traditional energy renovations often rely on manual intervention, which is costly and difficult to scale. Our system leverages scientific energy surveys, heat loss calculations, and the application of energy-saving technologies to provide an energy management solution that can be continuously assessed and improved, helping schools reduce energy consumption and lower carbon emissions. The core of this project is a data-driven analytical engine that provides quantifiable energy-saving solutions by calculating classroom energy consumption, heat loss, and the effects of energy-saving measures. Through detailed energy surveys and heat loss analysis of the classroom, students will propose the most suitable energy-saving renovation plans based on data, ensuring that the renovated classroom maintains efficient energy use under various environmental conditions. To better demonstrate the results of the energy-saving renovation, students will create 3D-printed models simulating the energy consumption of the renovated classroom. Through these models, such as adding insulation, installing solar panels, and upgrading the lighting system, students will visually understand how spatial design can enhance energy efficiency. Indoor circuit design will also be integrated, with students designing and simulating new lighting and energy systems to demonstrate how proper circuit design can reduce energy waste. For the thermal energy aspect, students will create a thermal energy demonstration model, visually showing heat loss and heat flow to demonstrate how different building materials and design solutions impact energy efficiency. This model will help students understand how to reduce heat loss in classrooms by improving insulation materials, enhancing window and door sealing, and installing energy-saving devices. Through this intelligent energy-saving design and feedback mechanism, students will gain a systematic energy renovation experience, learning how to improve classroom energy efficiency while reducing environmental impact through reasonable design. We believe that through this project, students will not only enhance their environmental awareness and practical skills but also bring sustainable energy solutions to the school, contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals. This project is not only a technical tool but also a social transformation aimed at improving the energy efficiency and environmental quality of schools.

Principal Components Analysis: Theory and Application

Disciplines/Subjects: Mathematics, Linear Algebra, Statistics, Machine Learning Key Themes: Matrix Decomposition, Dimensionality Reduction, Statistical Modeling, Real-World Applications This project explores the application of Principal Components Analysis (PCA) as a statistical tool for dimensionality reduction in real-world datasets. Starting with the foundational theory, learners learn the relationship between Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) and PCA, and how PCA can address common statistical dilemmas such as high dimensionality in data. Using Python, learners apply PCA to the "Prostate Cancer" dataset, exploring how the method extracts the most important components for predicting prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels from various clinical measurements. Through this process, learners identify and analyze the principal components, evaluate the results, and compare the PCA-derived model with traditional linear regression models. The project emphasizes both the mathematical theory behind PCA and its practical application in data science. In addition, learners write their own PCA code from scratch using SVD, reflecting on the underlying algorithm and comparing their implementation to established Python instructions.

Exploring Pre-Calculus Concepts Through Real-World Applications

Disciplines/Subjects: Mathematics, Pre-Calculus, Applied Mathematics Key Themes: Mathematical Modeling, Real-World Applications, Exploration of Pre-Calculus Topics This project allows learners to choose a topic from the Pre-Calculus curriculum and explore its application in a real-world context. Topics may include polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, or trigonometric and polar functions. Learners will conduct research, develop mathematical models, solve example problems, and discuss real-world applications. For instance, the sample work explores how trigonometric functions model sound waves, demonstrating the mechanics of music and sound. The project encourages creativity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of how mathematical concepts relate to practical scenarios.

Project

Real-world projects creating positive impacts for self, others, communities, and the planet.