DE19640079C2 - Model for the playful determination of changes in the earth's environment - Google Patents

Description

1. Presentation of the problem

Pollution of the environment is increasing significantly today. Especially global, d. H. Distributed all over the world, there are changes in the atmosphere. The exchange of cold and warm air masses, the so-called atmospheric Circulation, as well as the mobility of the gas molecules towards the water and Solid molecules are the reason for the rapid distribution of pollutants in the air. After a volcanic eruption, the expelled substances are within a few Measurable for weeks in the entire air envelope. The distribution of lead can be in arctic Ice layers can be traced back to several thousand years. Lead salt molecules have the property of being very volatile, they are distributed homogeneously in the entire atmosphere, even if it is only punctiform, i.e. H. local, expelled become. The age of industrialization is in this way through the frozen amounts of pollutants in the deeper layers of polar ice clearly recognizable.

The greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) has a particularly serious impact on the earth's climate if today's CO ₂ content in the air is exceeded even further. As is already well known, the average temperature on Earth increases even with a small increase in CO ₂ , the polar ice caps melt and the global sea level rises. Climate experts warn that as a result of the increase in CO _2, coastal areas can be flooded, devastation, increased storm activity, etc. can occur on Earth.

People, but above all the young generation, are opposed to that Fortunately, environmental protection is more sensitive. You want to do something about the impending Prevent scenario. However, children and adolescents often lack the means to understand the more complex climatic processes or their acquired factual knowledge to apply.

The modular design described in this patent, i. H. expandable game offers everyone, but especially young people in the Primary school, comprehensive school, high school but also at universities Possibility of working in groups or at home, the more complex relationships of the Pollution and emerging global pollution Get to know the effects in a light, playful form. In doing so, a  Construction and experiment kit described, which with the modern equipment of Micrometer technology for the detection of gas concentrations, temperature distributions etc. is provided. The second stage of development ensures a playful dialogue Computer connection with which the system is equipped.

2. State of the art

Countless computer games are available for young and old. An environmental quiz in Form of questions and dialogue with the computer is already known.

In the US Pat. No. 2,161,717 "Cartograph" a Cartography machine described, which is also the earth in plastic form represents. The seas are filled with liquid and transparent with Covers divided. However, this mapping machine is used exclusively for learning purposes in geography and history.

In the current construction, play and experiment kit is the installation of operational micrometers in the system an innovative novelty. For the Answering the questions of environmental pollution with pollutants and their Effects, as well as possible countermeasures on climate change the use of micro gas analyzers, thermometers, micro heat sinks an important Part of creative freedom. The distribution of the actuators (sensors) and sensors (Measuring devices) is made by the player himself.

In the first stage of expansion, the questions and answers are distributed using cards and answered. A small graphic display with the most important information supplements this Set. In the second stage of expansion, the playing field can be operated with a personal computer get connected. The playing field and the PC then become serial with each other connected. With all possible countermeasures, the participants can Track effects on the field and measure yourself. On the screen linked statements and the resulting effects appear.

3. Detailed description of the game List of figures

Fig. 1 Schematic plan of the plastic model earth surface as the foundation of the environmental game
1 continents
2 oceans
3 Contour line of the base area

Fig. 2 base plate (cut open on the right) with components for heating, cooling and measuring gas concentrations
4 base plate
5 Peltier elements for cooling
6 heating coil for heating
7 connections for power supply and interface
8 gas analyzer
9 electronics board

Fig. 3 Gas-tight acrylic glass hood with simulated sun and gas connections
10 acrylic glass hood
11 rail
12 Sun as a source of radiation
13 connections for "gas inlet" and "outlet"
14 aperture system, (movable)

Fig. 4 game with display and card set ("Off Line game") first expansion stage
15 environmental game
16 Keyboard as an accessory
17 Graphic display as an accessory
18 card set with questions and answers

Fig. 5 Serial connection to the PC for menu navigation in the game ("on-line game) second expansion stage
19 personal computers
20 interface to the game

3.1 Mechanical design of the device

A modular construction and experiment kit contains a lower part with the geographic representation of the earth (block diagram), with ups and downs being formed from thin plastic. The valleys and plains are marked in green, massifs in brown, snow in white and water in blue. The grading takes place according to the scaling in the geographic and cartographic technology, ( Fig. 1). Below the plastic mold are heating and cooling devices, heating foils in the warm climates, Peltier elements on the poles or the high mountain ranges, ( Fig. 2). The trough-like deepening of the world's oceans should be filled with water. When the electricity is connected, ice forms on the polar surfaces, the warm climates of the earth are heated up. This temperature distribution is recorded by means of a thermocouple and passed on to the PC through the interface. The living image of the earth (also in block form) with temperature distribution and water levels appears simultaneously on the screen. A hood made of acrylic glass is placed on the earth crust made of plastic material ( Fig. 3). This hood is attached with a sealing ring to the lower plastic relief of the model of the earth. A spotlight, symbolizing the sun, is placed on a rail. This emitter emits infrared and visible light and is moved either by hand or with a stepper motor from east to west to simulate the earth's rotation. A blending device ensures the correct distribution of the steels on the earth's surface.

The movement of the sun results in different light and Temperature conditions. These are reported by the sensors and on the screen of the PC recorded.

Through two openings in the hood it is possible to let gas into the sealed model atmosphere or to remove it from there. The CO ₂ concentration can be enriched with two small compressed gas cylinders. The effect of the increased CO ₂ concentration in the hood space can be read from the changed temperature conditions and the changes in the ice and water levels. In the lower foundation unit it is possible to install a CO ₂ analyzer that takes samples from the air space and measures them continuously. The analysis data is also displayed on the PC screen. The water vapor distribution (air humidity) could also be taken into account later.

4. Handling the game

There are plenty of questions available to players. Environmental problems are shown on maps ( Fig. 4) or on the PC screen ( Fig. 5). Possible answers, e.g. For example, certain changes in the atmosphere caused by vehicle exhaust gases or combustion processes should first be answered theoretically in order to then be made visible on the model and on the PC. For answers there are a number of points that the player must collect.

5. Advantages of the game

Environmental education for people, especially young people, can be long-term Have an impact on his environmental behavior.

The student learns playfully about the composition (components) of the air. Even more complex climate relationships can be shown in part. By supplying CO ₂ concentrations by hand, the student should come to the realization that climate changes can mostly be the result of anthropogenic interventions in nature and that even small CO ₂ fluctuations can cause noticeable temperature changes. Due to the modular structure, the game can be assembled step by step in order to take additional climate elements into account. The procurement costs remain bearable.

Not only for private entertainment, but also for school education and for teaching purposes, e.g. B. in physics, chemistry, geography or environmental technology Serve model.  

bibliography

/ 1 / United States Patent Office 2,161,717 "Cartograph" Patent Office Author: Mc Donald, Grace A. Nov. 29, 1937

Claims (3)

1. Model for the playful determination of changes in the earth's environment, characterized in that

• 1. that a plastic form reproduces a plastic representation of the earth (block representation) with the geographic formation of the earth proportionally and with the usual cartographic colors,
• 2. that cooling and heating elements are accommodated below the plastic mold, which can be heated and cooled in accordance with the climatic zones,
• 3. that an acrylic glass hood is arranged above the block diagram of the earth, within which a model atmosphere with sufficient CO ₂ concentration is realized,
• 4. that CO ₂ (carbon dioxide) from small gas bottles is released into the atmosphere, and
• 5. that an emitter with an infrared and visible portion is arranged and movable as a movable sun with a screen system on the ceiling of the acrylic glass hood.

2. Model according to claim 1, characterized in that water in the sea and Ocean basin can be cooled, even frozen, according to nature. 3. Model according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the effects on the earth are answered by measures proposed by the players in card form or on the PC screen, all distributions of temperatures on the model earth surface, changed water levels measured with sensors, Above all, however, the changes in the CO ₂ concentration in the model atmosphere are recorded by means of micro-gas analysis devices and are displayed on the screen in dialog form with the game both in the game or when a game computer is present.