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.

The Power of Pandemics

Disciplines/Subjects: History, Political Sciences Key Themes: Pandemics, History, Virus, Bacteria Speaking of the aftermath of COVID-19, Melinda Gates believed that “this pandemic [had] magnified every existing inequality in our society — like systemic racism, gender inequality, and poverty.” Gates had made a critical point that diseases and societal tensions are rarely separated. Indeed, there is a reason that we call perpetual social issues, social ills. Where is this global pandemic leading us? What effect - social, political, and cultural - will it create? How do we, as a collective, prevent the next pandemic? We are still amid the torrent to produce a clear vision of the future, so let's pause, and look back in history. For this project, you are expected to create two history magazines (May edition, 2024) catering to students in Grades 5 and Grades 7-8, respectively. Your goal is to introduce and delineate the causes and effects of five pandemics — plague, smallpox, Malaria, Influenza, and HIV/AIDS — to your audience. Keep in mind that you need to demonstrate: the biological and social causes of pandemics the social, political, and cultural effects of pandemics more crucially, the awareness of your audience's ability to read and understand your message Individually, you will also submit a 1200-word essay discussing the causes and effects of your chosen pandemic.

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.

Finding the Right Location with GIS

Discipline/ Subject：GIS, Design Key Themes: GIS Campus Map, Sign Design This was initially a "boarding project" course, where the teacher designed the research questions, project outcomes, and all the acceptance criteria in advance. However, the teacher, Mora, found this approach uninteresting. So, after analyzing examples of how GIS can impact everyday life, she would always ask the learners, "Do you have any issues you want to vent about, or projects you'd like to tackle, or problems you think can be solved using geographical thinking? Let's work on them together. If not, you can work on the project I've prepared. Your choice." In the fall semester of the 2024-2025 school year, a group of 9th-grade freshmen who wanted to create their projects found an area of interest: modifying the school's map and wayfinding system (landmarks and signage). As freshmen, they often found themselves lost on campus, unable to navigate properly. After some complaints in class, they decided to tackle the school's map and wayfinding system. Mora suggested they consult other members of the community to determine if this was indeed a real issue. They interviewed students, teachers, school administrators, and parents, and distributed surveys to all students, teachers, and parents. "Have you ever had difficulty finding a classroom on campus?" In the 175 valid surveys, 90% answered "Yes." "What do you think is the biggest problem with the school's map, landmarks, and signage system?" Missing or incorrect information on the map; the inner circle signage system provides no information. Based on the survey and interview results, they corrected errors in the school's map, added a more user-friendly "current location" feature, and focused on improving the inner circle wayfinding system. They thought this would solve the problem, but as the project progressed, an obstacle appeared: the school's classroom numbering was chaotic and irregular. To quickly locate classrooms, the room numbers needed to be rearranged. Without this, adding more maps and signage would still result in people getting lost. Reordering the room numbers for the entire school was far beyond their capability.

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.

Project

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