Theme | Automobiles of the Future |
Relevant Grades | Class 7 and above |
Key Learning Outcomes | 1. Define the terms renewable and non-renewable resource
2. Explain the importance of renewable resources over non-renewable resources 3. Describe the disadvantages and problems caused to health, climate due to use of non-renewable resources 4. Apply the importance of renewable resources and design a game considering different factors |
Session Duration | 1 hr (Approximately) |
THE MISSION:
Students will understand the concepts of non-renewable resources and its alternatives through this lesson plan. The students are expected to create a game in which they have to prevent collapse of transportation, logistics in the year 2050 where the fossil fuels are almost depleted. If the student successfully completes the research in the technology wing in the game, then vehicles running on renewable resources can be developed on time.
CONCEPT TO UNDERSTAND
1. Source of Energy
We use various source of energy to do our day to day activities. For example, we use LPG to cook food, use electricity to run home or industrial appliances and use fossil fuels like petroleum products to run our vehicles.
These sources are used to produce energy, which in turn, is used to do work.
An ideal source of energy should have the following properties:
- Enough energy produced must perform large amount of work per unit volume
- It must be easily accessible
- And it must be economically viable
Everyday, we are dependent on electricity, automobiles, transportation to fulfil our needs. Electricity is generated from thermal powerplants, hydro electric powerplants etc. Whereas, fuels like petrol, diesel, natural gas helps the automobiles to reach different places. They also help in transporting food and essential materials that are necessary in our day to day life. These resources are converted into energy which is used for production of electricity, plying of automobiles etc.
The sources of energy are broadly classified into two major types viz. Renewable Resources of Energy and Non-Renewable Resources of energy. Renewable resources are sustainable than non-renewable resources. It is vital to look at resources from a sustainability point of view.
2. Renewable Resources of Technology
Renewable resources are resources that come from natural resources like solar power, geothermal power, wind energy etc. Additionally, they are energy resources that can be produced cleanly with minimal emissions. Renew able resources will never deplete practically.
The key idea is to reduce carbon emissions, greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change. If renewable resources are used efficiently, then it will reduce the effects of global warming on a longer run and help sustain life on Earth for a longer period.
3. Non-renewable Resources of Technology
Non-renewable energy resources are resources that come from fossi
l fuels and are very limited in supply. They are named as fossil fuels because, they were formed inside the earth from dead plants and animals over a large period of million years. Fossil fuels like coal, oil, petrol, natural gas etc are being extensively used in our day to day life. As, we humans are highly dependent on these fossil fuels, these fossil will deplete rapidly with the high rate of consumption. The fossil fuels are limited and take a very long period to form inside the Earth.
4. Environmental impact due to extensive usage of fossil fuel
Harmful gases like carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and carbon monoxide are produced due to combustion of fossil fuels. These gases are harmful for our health and also known to cause damage to the ozone layer in our atmosphere and contribute to greenhouse gases. As a result, harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun reaches to earth surface and can cause serious health hazards like skin cancer in humans. It also increase the average temperature of oceans leading to global warming.
Interesting Fact
Fossil fuels are obtained in the form of crude oil by pumping oil from interior of the earth. These are stored in barrels and transported by large ships, vehicles and then processed in refineries. On 20th April 2020, 40 dead dolphins were washed ashore on the coast of Mauritius due to the accidental oil spill in caused during transportation of the crude oil.
GAME DESIGN
Problem Statement:
We are in the year 2050 and the fossil fuels are almost depleted, if no action is taken, fossil fuels will be depleted soon.
Game Design Overview:
Imagine you are India’s biggest automobile manufacturer, and in the year 2050, fossil fuel like petrol, diesel, natural gas etc. are on the verge of complete depletion. Your aim is to solve the problem by designing automobiles that run on renewable resources.
How to Design the Game:
Step 1: You are in the year 2050 and within 2 years petrol and diesel will be completely depleted. 2 years inside the game will complete in approximately 10 real time minutes
Hint: Inside the game, there has to be a virtual clock which completes 2 years in 10 minutes. When the 2 years have completed, you should have completed step 2 and step 3, if step 2 and step 3 is not achieved within the 2 years, the game will be over.
Step 2: You have access to research wing in your automobile company, using that you can unlock different technologies like solar powered automobile, electric vehicles etc.
Hint: Create a tab with using array programming in the back end by storing all the research options available that includes solar powered cars, solar powered trucks etc. Additionally, give a separate research tree for electric vehicles, magnetic levitation locomotives etc.
Step 3: Your automobile company will be slowly running in loss due to fuel depletion. Hence you have to race against time to complete the research of those vehicles and start the production.
Hint: Once the game starts from Step 1, you will slowly lose your company revenue. But if timely action is taken for research and ample time is given for research to get completed, then vehicles will be produced and your company will start earning revenue.
Step 4: Once you start the production, you will be able to start new research technologies, bigger vehicles based on renewable and clean energy.
Hint: If the company crosses a threshold value of revenue, then game is successful.
Disclaimer: This document is meant to be used for educational purposes only. The content here has been curated from various online sources. We do not intend to infringe on any copyrights. Please note that there are third party links in this module and Atal Innovation Mission or NITI Aayog does not endorse any person(s) or organizations mentioned on or related to these links.
