Temasek Junior College Year

1 Green Science
Integrated Programme
AI Research Log Sheet Template Name: Chen Bailing
Class: 1C
IP1 Green Science Alternative Assessment
Date: 2 May 2026

SECTION A — AI QUERY LOG (At least 4 questions + 4 follow-up questions each)

PART 1 — AI QUERY LOG FOR DESIGN PROPOSAL (e.g. solar panels)

AI Chatbot: ChatGPT

My Prompt (What I asked the AI’s Suggestion (Summary of MY CRITICAL ACTION (Accept /
AI) what it gave me) Reject / Modify + WHY)

(Initial Prompt) To minimise heat traps and ensure I accept this because it gives a
natural cooling, buildings use number of concepts I can choose
What concepts help minimise stack ventilation, cross from
heat traps and ensure natural ventilation, shading, high
cooling and ventilation in a ceilings, insulation, thermal
building? mass, light-coloured surfaces,
green roofs, courtyards, and
proper orientation. These
features improve airflow, reduce
heat gain, and keep indoor spaces
cooler naturally.

(Second Prompt) Yes. Building materials and I would accept it as it states both
colours affect room temperature. of the concepts and answers the
Do materials and the colours of it This is due to thermal mass, question
affect the room temperatures of a thermal conductivity, and
building and what is the concept albedo.
called

(Third Prompt) Yes. The colour of materials is Use words while giving examples
important because light colours to let me understand better so I
Does the colour of the materials reflect more sunlight and absorb would accept
play an important part in reducing less heat, while dark colours
heat gain absorb more heat and become
Short summary hotter. Using lighter-coloured roofs
and walls can reduce heat gain
and keep buildings cooler.

(Fourth Prompt) Apply natural ventilation by using Modify, it's repeating that it
cross ventilation (opposite reduces heat and enhances
How can I apply these concepts openings) and stack ventilation airflow, but I need examples to
when designing a building (high vents for rising hot air). understand how it works.
Improve cooling with good building
orientation, shading, light-coloured
materials, thermal mass, and open
spaces to enhance airflow and
reduce heat.

(Final Prompt) Examples include: stack Accept it shows examples for me

ventilation (hot air escapes to understand much better than
Examples of how the concepts through roof openings), cross the previous one
work in a building ventilation (wind flows through
opposite windows), shading
(blocks sunlight to reduce heat),
thermal mass (walls store and
release heat slowly), light colours
(reflect heat), and good orientation
(captures wind for better airflow).
AI Chatbot: DeepSeek

My Prompt (What I asked the AI’s Suggestion (Summary of MY CRITICAL ACTION (Accept /
AI) what it gave me) Reject / Modify + WHY)

(Initial Prompt) To minimise heat traps, orient the Modify, I had to ask it to
building east-west and use summarise multiple times so
What concepts help minimise external shading on east/west
heat traps and ensure natural facades. Apply light-colored,
cooling and ventilation in a reflective roofing to reject heat.
building? For natural cooling, design for
Summarise cross-ventilation (opposite
openings) and the stack effect
Summarise even more (low and high vents). Use night-
flush cooling to purge stored heat.
Summarise it in a paragraph less Plant deciduous trees for solar
than 80 words control.

(Second Prompt) Yes, materials and colours affect I will accept as it answers the
room temperatures. The concept question and also explains briefly
Do materials and the colours of it is thermal mass (dense materials the concepts for me to understand
affect the room temperatures of a like concrete absorb and release what it is
building and what is the concept heat slowly) and albedo (light
called colours reflect solar radiation,
summarise in a paragraph less keeping interiors cool; dark
than 80 words colours absorb heat). For passive
cooling, use light-coloured
external surfaces with internal
thermal mass, paired with night
ventilation to purge stored heat.

(Third Prompt) Yes, colour plays an important Accept as it answers why it plays
role. Light colours (white, beige) an important role and also
Does the colour of the materials reflect solar radiation (high explains it
play an important part in reducing albedo), keeping surfaces cool
heat gain and reducing indoor heat gain.
Dark colours absorb heat,
Short summary
increasing cooling loads. A white
roof can be 30–40°C cooler than a
black one, significantly cutting
energy use
(Fourth Prompt) 1. Site analysis first: Map Accept as it uses the concepts it
the sun path (to identify gave previously and showed
How can I apply these concepts east/west heat) and examples of how to use it when
when designing a building prevailing winds (for designing a building
Give a short summary cooling breezes).

2. Orient the building: Place

the long axis east-west,
with short ends facing the
harsh east/west sun.

3. Zone the plan: Put heat-

tolerant spaces (garage,
stairs, storage) on
east/west sides as buffers.
Place living areas on
north/south sides.

4. Place windows
strategically: Use large
windows on north/south.
Use small, shaded
windows on east/west.
Align openings on opposite
walls for cross-ventilation.

5. Add external
shading: Install fixed
overhangs, fins, louvers, or
deciduous trees on east
and west facades to block
low-angle sun.

6. Choose materials &

colours: Use light-
coloured, reflective roofing
and external walls (high
albedo). Incorporate
internal thermal mass
(concrete, brick) but only if
paired with night-flush
ventilation.
(Final Prompt)

Passive design reduces or

eliminates reliance on air
What positive effect does this conditioners and heaters, which
have on the environment lowers **greenhouse gas
emissions** and **energy
Short summary
consumption**. It also decreases
the **urban heat island effect** by
using reflective materials and
shade, avoids harmful
**refrigerants**, saves water, and
supports biodiversity when using
planted shade trees.
SECTION A PART 2 — AI QUERY LOG FOR SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS BEHIND DESIGN PROPOSAL
(e.g. photovoltaic effect of solar panels)

AI Chatbot: ChatGPT

My Prompt (What I asked the AI’s Suggestion (Summary of MY CRITICAL ACTION (Accept /
AI) what it gave me) Reject / Modify + WHY)

(Initial Prompt) Building materials help achieve Accept it states key points but
natural cooling by controlling still to broad
what are the concepts that are heat gain and release. Light-
linked to the materials of a coloured or reflective materials
building to ensure natural reduce heat absorption,
cooling and minimising heat insulation slows heat transfer,
traps and thermal mass helps store
and release heat gradually.
High-emissivity and ventilated
designs allow buildings to
release heat more effectively,
reducing heat traps and keeping
indoor spaces cooler naturally.

(Second Prompt) Three key concepts that help Gives 3 key factors and
reduce heat traps and support explains them but no examples
give 3 concepts that are natural cooling are: ,accept
important in reducing heat
traps and ensuring natural 1. Thermal insulation –
cooling reduces heat transfer
from the outside to the
inside, keeping indoor
spaces cooler.

2. Solar reflectance
(albedo) – uses light-
coloured or reflective
materials to reflect
sunlight and reduce heat
absorption.

3. Stack ventilation – allows

warm air to rise and
 escape while cooler air is
drawn in, improving
natural airflow and
cooling.

(Third Prompt) 1. Thermal insulation Gives a clear example of each

Example: A building point, accept
Give an example each on how uses insulated roof
these 3 work panels with foam layers.
These reduce the amount
of outdoor heat entering
the rooms, so indoor
spaces stay cooler even
on hot days.

2. Solar reflectance
(albedo)
Example: A school roof
is painted white with
reflective coating. It
reflects most sunlight
instead of absorbing it,
lowering the temperature
inside the classrooms.

3. Stack ventilation
Example: A building has
low windows and high
skylights. Cool air enters
through the lower
openings, while warm air
rises and exits through
the top, naturally cooling
the building.

(Fourth Prompt) Albedo is a measure of how Clearly states how albedo

much sunlight a surface reflects works with examples and
How does albedo work compared to how much it explanation ,accept
absorbs.

• A high albedo surface

(like white paint or
 reflective roofing)
reflects most of the sun’s
energy back into the
atmosphere.

• A low albedo surface

(like dark asphalt)
absorbs more sunlight
and converts it into heat.

How it works in buildings:

When a building uses high-
albedo materials (e.g. white
roofs or reflective coatings),
less solar energy is absorbed
into the structure. This reduces
surface temperature and slows
down heat transfer into the
building, helping keep indoor
spaces cooler and reducing the
need for air-conditioning.

(Final Prompt) Albedo can be used in building Gives multiple ways to use
design by choosing materials albedo in our green building
How can we use albedo in and finishes that reflect sunlight and explains it while stating
designing a building to ensure instead of absorbing it, which what ways it will use to apply
natural cooling reduces heat buildup and albedo in the building
supports natural cooling.

Here are key ways it is applied:

• Light-coloured roofs
(cool roofs): Using white
or reflective roof
coatings reflects most
solar radiation, lowering
roof temperature and
reducing heat entering
the building.

• Reflective exterior walls:

Painting or cladding
walls with light colours
or reflective finishes
 helps reduce heat
absorption, especially on
sun-facing sides.

• High-reflectance paving:
Using lighter materials
for surrounding ground
surfaces (like walkways
or courtyards) reduces
heat radiating back into
the building.

• Green roofs and

shading: While not
albedo itself, vegetation
and shading structures
reduce direct solar
exposure, indirectly
lowering heat gain.

Overall, designing with high-

albedo surfaces reduces heat
absorption, keeps building
surfaces cooler, and helps
maintain lower indoor
temperatures naturally.
AI Chatbot: deepseek

My Prompt (What I asked the AI’s Suggestion (Summary of MY CRITICAL ACTION (Accept /
AI) what it gave me) Reject / Modify + WHY)

(Initial Prompt) To ensure natural cooling and Had to ask it to summarise as it

minimize heat traps, building gave more than 15 concepts,
what are the concepts that are materials should feature: too broad, modify
linked to the materials of a
building to ensure natural • High thermal mass (for
cooling and minimising heat night heat release)
traps
• High solar
short summary with less than reflectance (light colors,
90 words cool roofs)

• High emissivity (to

radiate heat skyward)

• Insulation (blocks heat

flow)

• Porosity (for evaporative

cooling)

• Breathability (prevents
humidity trapping)

Avoid low-reflectance, low-

emissivity, or non-breathable
materials that store and re-
radiate heat.

(Second Prompt) 1. High Solar Reflectance Accept, explains it but no

(Albedo) – Light-colored examples given
give 3 concepts that are or reflective materials
important in reducing heat (cool roofs, white
traps and ensuring natural surfaces) bounce solar
cooling radiation away,
preventing heat
absorption and reducing
surface temperature.
 2. Thermal Mass with Night
Flushing – Dense
materials (concrete,
brick, rammed earth)
absorb daytime heat,
then release it at night
when coupled with
ventilation, avoiding
trapped heat buildup.

3. High Emissivity –
Materials that efficiently
radiate absorbed heat
(unpainted brick, certain
plasters) send thermal
energy skyward,
especially at night,
preventing wall or roof
surfaces from becoming
heat traps.

(Third Prompt) 1. High Solar Reflectance Give examples and the benefits
(Albedo) of each factor so I can choose
Give an example each on how one to use
these 3 work • Example: A white metal
roof surface reflects over
80% of sunlight. On a
sunny day, while a dark
asphalt roof reaches
65°C (150°F), the white
roof stays near air
temperature (~35°C /
95°F), preventing heat
from entering the attic
and reducing air
conditioning needs.

2. Thermal Mass with Night

Flushing

• Example: A building
with thick exposed
concrete walls absorbs
heat during the day,
 keeping interiors cool. At
night, occupants open
high and low windows,
allowing cool breeze to
flow across the concrete
surface, flushing out the
stored heat before the
next morning.

3. High Emissivity

• Example: Unpainted
brick walls on a building
radiate absorbed heat as
long-wave infrared. After
sunset, the brick surface
quickly cools below
ambient air temperature,
drawing heat away from
the interior and reducing
indoor temperatures
without mechanical
cooling.

(Fourth Prompt) Albedo measures a surface’s It gave a whole essay, it had to

ability to reflect sunlight (0 = be summarised but after
How does albedo work total absorption, 1 = total summarising ,accept as it gave
reflection). High-albedo (light- the results of albedo
summarise
colored) materials reflect most
solar energy away, staying cool
near air temperature. Low-
albedo (dark) materials absorb
sunlight, convert it to heat, and
become very hot. By reflecting
heat away before it enters a
building, high albedo prevents
heat traps at the source.

(Final Prompt) Use light-colored, reflective Accept , but had to be

materials on roofs, exterior [Link] because
How can we use albedo in walls, pavements, and shading gave ways to use albedo in the
designing a building to ensure devices. This prevents heat building and also explaining
natural cooling absorption, keeps surfaces
summarise cool, and stops heat from
radiating into the building.
Prioritize high-albedo surfaces
on the building envelope,
combined with shaded or
vegetated ground areas to avoid
secondary heat reflection.
SECTION B — LEARNING SUMMARY

Summarise the new scientific concepts you learnt in your own words. Combine information from your AI tools
and show your understanding.

1. Name of new scientific concept learnt (e.g. heat capacity) : Albedo

2. Related subject and topic (e.g. Physics, Thermal Properties of Matter) :Physics

3. Concept level: lower secondary/upper secondary/junior college/university undergraduate

(cross out non applicable)

4. Explain the concept in your own words, make sure it is understandable by your peers:

Albedo

Albedo is represented by 0 and 1. With 0 meaning that all sunlight is absorbed(like a 100% black
surface) and 1 meaning that all light is reflected(mirror),
surface albedo is calculated by dividing the reflected radiation by the incoming radiation. For example
, if a surface reflects 30% of sunlight, its albedo is 0.3

5. How is this concept applied in your report:

It is used to conclude which colors we should use for the walls of the building to reduce heat gain
SECTION C — Evidence: Screenshots, Annotations, and Documentation

Attach screenshots of:

• All prompts (questions) asked to the AI
• All AI responses
• All follow-up questions
• Any diagrams/explanations the AI generated

Annotation requirement: Add notes such as “I asked this because…”, “I accepted/rejected because…”, and “I
verified this using…”.

List your references in alphabetical order. They can either be from printed or non-printed media. State the URL
if it is a web-based reference.

References:

1. U.S. Department of Energy. (no date). Natural ventilation. Energy Saver.

[Link]
2. Whole building design guide. (no date). Natural ventilation. National Institute of Building Sciences.
[Link]
3. Energy saver. (no date). Natural cooling strategies for homes. U.S. Department of Energy.
[Link]

Screen shots

Chat gpt for section a part 1

Chat gpt response for part 2
DeepSeek response to part 1 of section a
DeepSeek response for part 2 of section a
RUBRIC CHECKLIST (Student Self-Check)
Tick when completed:

 I asked sophisticated and relevant questions showing deep curiosity and scientific thinking.

 I asked 4 relevant questions.

 I used 2 AI search bots/tools.

 My questions build logically on previous responses.

 I asked 4 follow-up questions based on information provided by AI.

 I included screenshots of all questions and AI responses.

 I provided at least 3 explanations of the thinking behind my questions (scientific reasoning).

 I provided at least 3 citations of source(s) used to evaluate the information provided by AI.