SNC 3E: Electric Circuits Unit Comparison Shopping for Large Appliances Assignment

Return To Table Of Contents CRUCIBLE online SNC 3E: Electric Circuits Unit – Comparison Shopping for Large Appliances Assignment ««« By Kimberly Mur...
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SNC 3E: Electric Circuits Unit – Comparison Shopping for Large Appliances Assignment ««« By Kimberly Murray Kimberly Murray is a science teacher at St. Stephen's Secondary School in Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board.

Summary of Assignment Students select one of the major appliances that have Energuide labels: fridge, stove, washer, dryer or dishwasher. I limited how many could do each type, to reduce copying. Students are given some background information, then are expected to either search websites or physically visit stores that sell appliances. A student must select three different models of the appliance type they chose (for example: Maytag Neptune washer, Kenmore washer, LG washer). For each model, they need to fill in a table on the student handouts. For each model, they are to look up the model (or a similar type) in a Consumer Reports Buying Guide, to see how it is ranked. Based on the store information and the consumer guide, they need to choose one of the three they researched and write a few paragraphs explaining their decision.

Rationale I designed this assignment for several reasons. First, it met many of the course expectations and these are listed below. As well, it seemed like something practical that students could use in their lives. On a personal level, I was myself shopping for appliances at the time and knew how many options there were for consumers, and how difficult it was to make a choice. I took my time to make the best choice for myself, and hoped to pass on some shopping skills to students. As an environmentalist, I know that making people feel that they can make a difference can be

Comparison Shopping for Large Appliances

challenging. People often feel their decisions do not matter. This was one way students could feel they could make a difference. I found through speaking with them, that many students’ self-esteem was improved by doing this. Some students even started to feel strongly about their choice of appliances.

Context of Assignment to the Course The assignment should be done after explaining the labels which are found on major appliances. This assignment can take some time to get started as there are several calculations that students need to understand before starting (e.g. how much the appliance would cost to operate for 1 year using KWh). I began by brainstorming about appliances in general. Students know quite a lot about them, so it gives them an opportunity for success in class. We talked about different features (stackable washer/dryers, flat top ranges, etc.). I had a relatively large class of 18 students, which made it challenging to ensure that everyone knew what to look for and how to use Consumer Reports. Several students learned as they did the assignment as well. Some of my students visited the stores on their own, but most used websites. This assignment can be used to start the Electricity unit. I used it as a culminating task, near the end of the unit (but I would probably start the unit with it next time). Besides the calculations/ Energuide labels, this assignment “stands on its own” as part of the Electrical Circuits Unit.

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student handouts teacher’s marking scheme (optional) flyers OR trip to appliance store OR Internet sites of appliance stores Consumer Report 2006 Buying Guide (library can get a copy of it) photocopies/textbook with examples of Energuide labels.

Variations •

• • •

if getting Consumer Reports Buying Guide is too difficult, you may eliminate if from table, however, it truly enhances the assignment and helps students analyse the data, repair costs, etc. have students compare two instead of three appliances don’t use the marking scheme take a class trip to an appliance store.

Helpful websites www.futureshop.ca I found Future Shop to have a wide range of prices (and some interesting appliances). This is one of the few websites that includes the Energuide rating. As well, it allows the user to select three models of stoves and compare the values. http://www.consumerreports.org/ A good place to start for teachers, but specific information about a particular model requires you to pay. It has a link for making Greener Choices.

Relevant Curriculum Expectations SIS.04 – select and use appropriate numeric, symbolic, graphical, and linguistic modes of representation to com-

municate scientific ideas, plans, and experimental results (e.g., write chemical formulae for some chemical substances); SIS.05 – locate, select, analyse, and integrate information on topics under study, working independently and as part of a team, and using appropriate library and electronic research tools, including Internet sites; SIS.06 – compile, organize, and interpret data, using appropriate formats and treatments, including tables, flow charts, graphs, and diagrams; SIS.07 – communicate the procedures and results of laboratory investigations and research for specific purposes, using data tables and laboratory reports; ECV.03 – investigate how electrical devices play a role in the economy of the local community and in the improvement of our standard of living; EC1.07 – identify some household appliances that require 110V AC (e.g., microwave oven, blender) and some that require 220V AC to operate (e.g., conventional oven, clothes dryer); EC3.01 – conduct research to collect information on a piece of audio-visual equipment or a major appliance, using consumer reports, and make recommendations for a wise purchase based on cost effectiveness, energy efficiency, quality, and safety of the product; EC3.03 – identify and propose solutions to problems related to the environmental impact of the consumption of electrical energy and the disposal of used electrical appliances in Canada (e.g., alternatives to the wholesale discarding of old electrical devices; advantages and disadvantages of the recycling of outdated computer equipment or batteries); HIV.01 – demonstrate an understanding of the impact of humans on the environment, and assess alternative courses of action to protect the environment.

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Student Activity

SNC 3E Unit 2 (Electricity) Project Comparison Shopping for Major Appliances Name: ________________________________Type of Appliance:____________________________________ DUE:

________________________________

1.

In class, sign up for one of the following types of appliances. Only three people may do each type: Stove, Refrigerator, Washer, Dryer, Dishwasher

2.

Now that you know you will be researching _________________ (type of appliance), you must pick three different brands to compare. (For example, if you are researching dryers, you can pick a GE Profile, a Kenmore, and a Whirlpool Gold model #3623472). You must follow a few guidelines when collecting your information: • • • • •

3.

you must use at least two different stores – only one can be on the Internet you must fill out COMPLETELY, the information pages that are attached you must hand in your assignment on time you must use Consumer Report Buying Guide 2006 handouts for your type of appliances you must consider the Energuide Rating in your decision Once you have collected a substantial amount of information, you will be an Informed Consumer! You will pick your favourite brand, and explain why it is so, by answering the attached questions.

APPLIANCE #1 [ /10 INQ] (make copies of this chart for your other two brands) BRAND MODEL # SIZE STORE Delivery cost: ___________

PRICE Before taxes: ________ After taxes: __________

Warranty: (describe store’s and manufacturer’s) ENERGUIDE Kwh: ______kwH

ENERGUIDE ENERGUDE CALCULATION: (low, mid, or high energy when (Cost to operate the appliance for 5 years) compared to other similar appliances?) ____ x $_____ = $____________

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CRUCIBLE online Features: Feature #1 Feature #2 Feature #3 Feature #4 Feature #5 Consumer Report information Circle overall score: Best test score: E VG G F P for:

Worst test score: for:

Brand Repair History: Few Some Many

Recommended? DECIDING ON AN APPLIANCE 1. Calculate the cost of your three appliances after five years, using the formula: Cost = __________________ + ________________ + _____________ Purchase price including taxes Energy costs **Possible Repair cost ***Possible repair costs: look to see if Consumer Report thought if the brand was going to need repairs and assign the following amounts according to the following:

FEW

$50

SOME

$200

MANY

$500

#1 Cost = _______________ + ____________ + _____________ = $___________ #2 Cost = _______________ + ____________ + _____________ = $___________ #3 Cost = _______________ + ____________ + _____________ = $___________ 2.

List three questions you should ask a salesperson before purchasing your appliance [ /3]

____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Describe 4 things Consumer Report says you should think about on HOW TO CHOOSE [ /4] 1. __________________________________________________________________________________ 2. __________________________________________________________________________________ 3. __________________________________________________________________________________ 4. __________________________________________________________________________________ 4.

Describe four features Consumer Report says are important [on handout, see FEATURES THAT COUNT] .[ /4]

1. __________________________________________________________________________________ 2. __________________________________________________________________________________ 3. __________________________________________________________________________________ 4. __________________________________________________________________________________

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What are the odds (%) that your type of appliance (stove, fridge…) will need to be repaired in the next three years? ____________ (See Handout)[ /1].

Does Consumer Report recommend that you buy the extended warranty? Explain why or why not in four sentences [/3] ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

6.

7.

Now, you must decide which appliance to purchase. You are an EDUCATED CONSUMER now. You need to write at least 15 sentences that answer the following questions [ /15] • which model you chose and where you plan to buy it. • why you chose the model you did: – the features that were important to you – what type of warranty coverage you will have – how much did the initial cost affect your decision? – how much did the “after five years” cost affect your decision? – how much did the Consumer Report affect your decision? • if you had unlimited money to spend, would your choice be different? Why? • if you had two children, would your choice be different? Why> • Name one important thing you learned from doing this project **When writing, use these as a self-check list ___Every sentence begins with a capital ___Every sentence ends with a period or exclamation point. ___You can find the correct spelling using a computer spellcheck or dictionary ___You can get a friend, teacher, or parent to check your work. ___Use the information you collected about the appliances! ROUGH COPY ____________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________

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The Appliance Project: Marksheet

STUDENT: ____________________________

TOTAL

____________/88

INQUIRY, CALCULATIONS [ /36] Information is collected for three appliances and put into the table Student calculated the 5-year cost for each appliance /6

/30

MAKING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SCIENCE AND REAL LIFE [ /32] Follow-up questions using your collected information and handouts called Consumer Report /17 Student used all the information they collected to write a thorough paragraph about their decision COMMUNICATION [ /20] Student writes all information in chart clearly and neatly /3 Student’s paragraph is easy to understand /2 Student uses self-check list /5 Student writes in complete sentences /4 Student includes much of the information they researched in their decision paragraph

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