Building Energy Modeling – Sketchbox as a teaching tool
August 15, 2024 at 9 a.m. Central
This useful workshop explores how students can build an energy model and analyze impacts of energy efficiency technologies in buildings with Sketchbox, a free building energy modeling tool developed by Slipstream.
Sketchbox is available at no cost to schools, can be run from a Chromebook, and uses a web interface so no downloads are needed. The platform is ideal for student exploration of building science and various careers including architecture, engineering, sustainability, building operations, facility management and more.
Workshop content is relevant for those teaching courses in:
- Construction
- HVAC
- Sustainability
- Mathematics
- Science
- Physics
- Computer Science
Lessons provided include:
- Model inputs and reports
- A guide to working with building energy codes
- A building setpoints and controls lesson
In addition, our modelers and engineers will also join the workshop to address questions and insights from participating educators.
This workshop will be co-facilitated by Jim Reichling and Joe Phillips.
Jim Reichling is a high school physics and math teacher at LaFollette High School in the Madison Metropolitan School District. He also collaborated with CREATE, an NSF program based at Madison College. Jim has developed and used the lessons he shares in this workshop with his students.
Joe Phillips teaches Chemistry, Physics, Electrical Theory and Renewable Energy at Osseo-Fairchild High School. Joe was the lead teacher for Wisconsin’s inaugural High School Energy Career Fair and has developed lessons and used Sketchbox in his classes.
Wisconsin middle and high school educators who attend the entire workshop are eligible to receive a $250 stipend upon completing and submitting a Sketchbox lesson and student assessment that will be uploaded to DPI WiseLearn.