"Watt's" the Cost? An Electrifying Problem

Case Introduction
Welcome, detectives! Everything you need to get started in your investigation is at your fingertips! Click the links below to learn the problem situation, your role, and the criteria for the case. Be sure to review the steps in the problem-solving process!

Here's the Situation!
You have been selected by the tree house detectives to help "outfit" the NASA SCIence Files™ tree house [requires Flash] with cool electronic gadgets. Their parents are willing to pay $40.00 a month to "electrify" the tree house, but they've asked that three plans be developed and analyzed before they make their final decision on which items to purchase. A 20-page catalog and an Electricity Usage Chart are provided to help you determine which plan, when compared to the electric company's bill, will help conserve energy while bringing the tree house into the 21st century.

Your Role in the Case!
As a designer you will need to place the electronic gadgets in the appropriate spots throughout the tree house [requires Flash].

As an electricity consumer, your duties include

• determining how long each electronic gadget will be used in a day
• calculating how much power each electronic gadget uses in a day
• calculating the daily cost of running the electronic gadgets that "outfit" the tree house

If your calculations don't match the electric company's, you will be asked to check your work. Remember to develop three different plans and keep the cost below $40.00 while creating a cool place to hang out!

The Criteria for the Case
Outfitting the tree house will require making careful calculations, so use the calculator to check your work. It is amazing how fast $40.00 a month goes, but don't be afraid to fill the tree house with cool stuff that will make hanging out there fun! Before you get started, check out the Problem-Solving Tools that will help you get organized and successfully determine the cost of a 21st century tree house [requires Flash].