Instructional Guide

Power & Energy: Whispers of Willing Wind

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During this unit you are going to:

Research and compare the most common resources used to produce electricity to gain an understanding of how those systems work.

Examine the ways energy is used for technological devices in their home.

Construct a device that will capture wind energy and convert it into mechanical energy.

Design and build a structure to support the wind energy device.

Types of Energy

Kinetic - Mechanical motion (Wind, falling object) Potential - Stored energy (Spring, dam,

hydroelectric, battery) Electrical - Motion of electrons (Current in electric

circuit) Electromagnetic - Waves (Light, magnetic field)

Types of Energy

Chemical - Molecular bonds (Gasoline, coal, hydrogen)

Thermal - Motion of atoms & molecules (Random motion of gas or fluid)

Nuclear - Atomic nuclear bonds (Nuclear reactor, fusion)

Home Devices Using Energy

Lamp Refrigerator

Television

Blow Dryer Drill

Design Challenge

Competitors must design and construct a working model of a windmill that can pull water with a bucket from a deep well. These windmills are intended for use in both residential and rural neighborhoods so theymust be both functional and pleasing to view. Also, windmills must be able to withstand hurricane force winds because your windmill will be tested in a hurricane!

EngineeringDesign Process

Step 1 – Identify a challenge

• Restate problem and what needs to be done to solve it?

• What countries use wind power for electricity?

• Why should you use wind power instead of other electricity-producing systems?

Step 2 – Explore Ideas

√ Identify a challenge

• Design and sketch blades and ways to attach the blades to the shaft.

• Sketch ideas for a tower that will support the turbine.

Step 3 – Plan and Develop

√ Identify a challenge

√ Explore Ideas

• How will the group make the windmill?• What parts are needed?• What materials will be used for the

parts?• Who will make the part?• Use a daily journal to keep track of

progress and work on the windmill.

Step 4 – Testing and Evaluating

√ Identify a challenge

√ Explore Ideas

√ Plan and Develop

• Record test results and changes to improve structure.

• Graph results from the testing.• What did you like most about the activity?• What would you change?• Sketch a new design from suggested

changes.

Step 5 – Presenting the Solution

√ Identify a challenge

√ Explore Ideas

√ Plan and Develop

√ Testing and Evaluating

Present final structure. Show the model. Explain how it generated energy. Describe how it caught the wind. Explain and describe test results. Describe any changes that would be

made. Show sketches.

Conclusion

Compare all of the windmills with the class.

How are they different? How are they similar? What improvements could be made?

Discuss and design a final windmill with the whole class.