Green machines
This machine uses the wind to make electricity.
What is a wind turbine?
This fast-growing plant that pandas love is used as an alternative to wood and plastic.
what is bamboo?
Environmental engineers help protect this natural resource that we drink, swim in, and use every day.
What is water?
These clean energy sources, like wind and solar, are used instead of fossil fuels.
What is renewable energy?
In this step, engineers gather information and learn more about the problem before designing.
What is Research?
These large panels capture sunlight to power homes.
What are solar panels?
This type of plastic breaks down naturally instead of lasting for years.
What is biodegradable plastic (or bioplastic)?
To protect oceans and wildlife, environmental engineers try to stop this kind of waste from entering waterways.
What is plastic pollutionn?
Environmental engineers design buildings that use less energy. These are called what?
What are energy efficient buildings or green buildings?
This is the first step, where engineers clearly understand what problem they are trying to solve.
What is 'Define the Problem'?
This type of vehicle runs on electricity instead of gasoline.
What is an electric car?
This type of wood is reused from old buildings, furniture, or pallets, giving it a second life instead of throwing it away.
What is reclaimed or repurposed wood?
Environmental engineers build these places to treat dirty water before it goes back into rivers or oceans.
What are wastewater treatment plants/facility?
This process captures carbon dioxide from the air and stores it underground or in materials.
What is carbon capture?
This step is all about brainstorming and coming up with as many ideas or solutions as possible.
What is Generate Solutions/Ideas?
This type of energy uses flowing water to spin turbines and make electricity.
What is hydropower or hydroelectric energy?
This lightweight metal that starts with the letter "a" is 100% recyclable, and uses 95% less energy when reused compared to making it new.
What is recycled aluminum?
Environmental engineers help reduce this invisible gas released by cars, factories, and farms that traps heat in Earth’s atmosphere.
What are greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide or methane)?
These walls or natural barriers are built near coasts to protect cities from rising sea levels.
What are sea walls or flood barriers?
After coming up with ideas, engineers use this step to choose the best one to build and create.
What is 'prototype'?
These engines combine gas and electric power to save fuel.
What is a hybrid engine?
These bricks are made using recycled plastics, often helping reduce waste in places with no recycling systems.
What are eco-bricks or plastic bricks?
Environmental engineers help balance three important things: protecting the environment, keeping people healthy, and supporting what?
What is the economy?
Wildfires spread faster in dry, windy areas. Engineers may design these open areas to slow them down.
What are firebreaks or defensible zones?
Engineers build and try out their design in this step to see if it works, and then make it better!
What is Test and improve?