The recent rapid rises in the cost of energy has significantly increased interest in alternative energy sources. The author discusses the underlying principles of heat pumps and geothermal energy. Related activities for technology education students are included.

A model of an endoreversible Carnot engine is considered where the piston moves with a constant speed "u." Expressions for the cycle time [tau] for the four branches, as well as output power, P[subscript W], are derived and the optimized root for maximum power is obtained in closed form. Our results are discussed in terms of the isothermal…

The graduate of the Outdoor Power Equipment Technician apprenticeship program is a certified journeyperson who will be able to: (1) supervise, train and coach apprentices; (2) service, maintain, repair and rebuild outdoor power equipment and outdoor power equipment accessories; (3) communicate clearly with customers, staff, suppliers, as required;…

This packet of five learning modules on machine components is one of 20 such packets developed for apprenticeship training for stationary engineers. Introductory materials are a complete listing of all available modules and a supplementary reference list. Each module contains some or all of these components: goal, performance indicators, statement…

The purpose of this booklet is to provide a basic understanding of nuclear fission energy and different fission reaction concepts. Topics discussed are: energy use and production, current uses of fuels, oil and gas consumption, alternative energy sources, fossil fuel plants, nuclear plants, boiling water and pressurized water reactors, the light…

This three-part module focuses on the principles of nuclear fusion and on the likely nature and components of a controlled-fusion power reactor. The physical conditions for a net energy release from fusion and two approaches (magnetic and inertial confinement) which are being developed to achieve this goal are described. Safety issues associated…

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has produced a distance learning series of four 60-minute video programs with an accompanying Web site and companion teacher guide. This teacher guide accompanies the third video in the series. The story line of each program involves six ethnically diverse, inquisitive schoolchildren who…

An educational tool concerning renewable energy and the environment, this CD-ROM provides nearly 1,000 screens of text, graphics, videos, and interactive exercises. It also provides a detailed index, charts of U.S. energy consumption by state, an energy glossary, and a list of related Web sites. This CD-ROM, additionally, offers "The School…

This guide provides materials for the first high school specialization course beyond the broad-based foundation provided by the Introduction to Industrial Technology and Exploration of Technology courses. Section I is the Instructor's Guide, which contains suggestions about how the energy and power technology cluster might be taught as a course…

This packet contains teacher and student editions for lawn and garden equipment repair and maintenance, intended for the preparation of power product equipment technicians. This publication contains four units: (1) introduction to lawn and garden equipment; (2) light-duty lawn and garden equipment; (3) heavy-duty lawn and garden equipment; and (4)…

This packet contains teacher and student editions on the topic of equipment systems, intended for the preparation of power product equipment technicians. This publication contains seven units: (1) principles of power transmission; (2) mechanical drive systems; (3) principles of fluid power; (4) hydraulic and pneumatic drive systems; (5) wheel and…

This complete teacher edition of a diesel technology course consists of introductory pages, teacher pages, and the student edition. The introductory pages provide these tools: training and competency profile; National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation Crosswalk; instructional/task analysis; basic skills icons and classifications; basic…

The instructor's guide in this package, which is one in a series of new publications developed to replace the Multistate Academic and Vocational Curriculum Consortium's previous small-engine curricula, contains the materials required to teach a competency-based course in repairing construction equipment. The guide begins with an introduction…

This guide is part of a series designed to help students learn about technology and teachers organize and improve instruction in technology. The instructional materials are based on the curriculum-alignment concept of first stating the objectives, developing instructional strategies for teaching those objectives, and assessing to those same…

Designed for student use in "Codes, Legalities, Consumerism, and Economics," one of 11 courses in a 2-year associate degree program in solar technology, this manual provides readings, bibliographies, and illustrations for seven course modules. The manual, which corresponds to an instructor guide for the same course, contains the…