Overview and Background

This lesson is a part of a larger renewable energy unit. Within this unit, the students learn about hydropower, wind energy, and solar energy. Geothermal energy and biomass are also introduced. This lesson is done after a discussion of renewable energy in general,
as well as electrical circuits. It also requires students to have skills in the program Tinkercad.

Lesson Plan and Activity

1. Introduce wind energy using the following videos:

Energy 101: Wind Turbines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYYHfMCw-FI

Renewable Energy 101: Wind Power
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtlvjo5nSqo&t=4s

2. Discuss the following questions:

How do wind turbines work? (transferring wind energy to electrical energy by turning the turbine blades, which turn
smaller gears connected to a generator)

What considerations do you think engineers take into account when designing wind turbines? (base height; number, size,
shape, distribution of blades)

What is the best setting for wind turbines? (an open field or coastline)

What are the pros and cons of wind turbines? (pros - wind at a certain height is pretty constant, there is not much
needed to manage them, cons - could injure birds, very large)

3. Students will first become engineers by following a set of directions to complete a task.

Place students in group
of three or four, and give each group a K'Nex Education: Exploring Wind and Water Energy Kit. Students will be building the Windmill design, which includes a wind turbine that powers a rotating swing. Allow students to work together and problem solve on their
own. As group finish, allow them to help other groups who may be struggling. Students can test their turbines by either blowing on the blades or placing it in front of a fan. Success occurs when the swing rotates.

4. Students will then take their engineering skills a step further by designing an object completely on their own as
a group.

In either new or the same groups, ask students to design their own wind turbine blades on Tinkercad. Give the students free reign over their designs, making sure not to intervene even when you know it will not work.

5. Once the students complete their designs, you will print and test them.

Attach the turbine blades to a freely spinning
apparatus (I was able to make one using extra K'Nex pieces attached to a wrapping paper tube, attaching the blades using velcro) and hold it in front of a box fan or take it outside if it is a windy day. Success occurs when the blades turn consistently. As
each wind turbine is tested, discuss as a class when went well and what can be improved (When I did this lesson, only 2 out of 25 actually worked). Mention how engineers have many failures before they actually have success.

6. After testing each turbine, allow the groups to improve their designs on Tinkercad.

The students should be able to
explain the you what changes they made, and why they decided to make them. If materials allow, print the new designs and test them again. If students were successful during the first attempt, give them a challenge by asking them to reduce the amount of material
used.

7. At the end of the lesson, bring the students together and make a list of the questions that engineers need to ask
when designing wind turbines, and the problems they may encounter.

Materials Needed

Projector/Screen,
K'Nex Education: Exploring Wind and Water Energy Kits, Student Computers, Box Fan, 3D Printer/Filament

Self-created wind turbine blades used as a part of a renewable energy unit