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Welcome on ActEco & STEP2021 Platform for eLearning Eco-Construction,
Straw Bale Building, Earth Building and Training for Change
Our Most Popular Courses
Ok, this is a lie. We started this platform in the beginning of 2020.
But we promise: more Courses will follow soon!
Earth Building
ACTeco Short Course: An introduction on clays physics
Training for Change
ACTeco short course: Introduction to Training for Change -Sustainability.
STEP U1: INTRO INTO STRAW BALE BUILDING
This course is already available. Content: History and Modern Straw Bale Building, Customizing & Handling: quality, orientation, measuring, shaping, dividing, rebinding, cutting and notching bales, density, moisture, tools for straw bale building and storage of bales.
STEP U2: INFILL & PREFABRICATION
This course is already available. Content: handling tools, plan & construct INFILL double post walls, HYBRID constructions (CUT, OrganiCUT, GREB), execute different infill construction methods, know about PREFAB straw bale elements and advantages and disadvantages of the different techniques.
(Online) Training & Communication
ACTeco Advanced Course Communcation (techniques) for both online and real communication. We introduce the main tools (graphic, text, photo, video, sound) as well as tipps and tricks how to make your trainings more interactive with mostly free tools. And we introduce Learndash and WordPress.
STEP U3: Load Bearing Straw Bale Construction
This course will be available on April 19, 2021 (had to be postponed). Content: Ioad bearing construction methods, resizing, compressing and fixing bales, construction of window boxes, base- and top plates, connection to roofs and ceilings, selecting good quality straw bales, structural behaviour, innovative examples of load bearing construction.
How to make a successful ONLINE COURSE
ACTeco course: How to make a successful ONLINE COURSE with WordPress, Zoom and Learndash
CREATE
Lessons made by our Trainees: PED of Straw Bale Houses, Earth Sheltered Houses,...
STEP U4: Straw Bale Wrapping & Renovation
This course is already available. Content: checking existing constructions, different wrapping and insulation methods (full bale with hybrid construction, binding, compressing; straw flakes with battens, planks, pallets, boards; prefab), finishing, inside insulation
Sustainable Building
ACTeco course. Sustainable building is one of solutions to lower the climete change impact. Learn how to build sustainably.
Earth Physics
ACTeco course, which should give you an understanding of the basic physics of the raw earth material used in building construction. Through short popular science videos, the concepts of capillary bridges, force chains and granulometry will be discussed.
Basics of Photovoltaics
An introduction to the application of photovoltaics in buildings. It shows how much solar energy is available and how much of it can be used and explains how different types of solar cells and solar modules are manufactured and what design options and advantages they offer in the building sector.
Basics Thermal Solar and Solar Cooling
The technology of solar thermal energy can be used to heat water (or air). The functionality is explained, the components are described, different collector types, storage tanks and system types are compared. Including a closer look at Solar cooling.
OffGrid Tiny House
ACTeco course about energy-independent "Off-Grid"-Houses, energy consumption, tiny house constructions and examples.
Building with Straw Panels
This course is to train architects and builders to design and assemble straw bale houses using prefabricated straw wall panels.
Building a Straw Bale Maze
ACTeco course. Straw bale mazes are popular with kids and adults. But there are some rules to be followed to build a safe maze and have fun too.
Earth Building Techniques
ACTeco course. This course should enable you to learn the main techniques of raw earth construction. This panorama of techniques is as rich as the cultures and raw earth that gave birth to them. Through presentation videos, this course deals with monolithic techniques, techniques in small prefabricated elements as well as filling techniques.
Tip 002: Density-Check of Straw Bales
ACTeco Short Course: An Introduction in Density-Check of Straw Bales; Time-frame: 10 min
Tip 003: Measuring Straw Bales
ACTeco Short Course: An Introduction in Measuring Straw Bales; Time-frame: 10 min
Sustainable (Straw) House – a Case Study
ACTeco course shows a case study house. Building step by step of a sustainable, passive standard, family house. It is built with natural materials, low impact foundation, green roof, producing own energy.