How Can I Design Better Blades?

Students will become familiar with the engineering design process during this lesson. They will learn how different blade design variables affect power output and work to create the most optimal blades.

The Details

Image
Grades
6-8
9-12
Time Required
1-2 class periods

Materials

  • 1 Model turbine on which blades can quickly be interchanged
  • 1 Multimeter or voltage/current data logger
  • 1 Box fan
  • Milk cartons, PVC pipe, or paper towel rolls (optional)
  • Ruler
  • Pictures of wind turbine blades
  • Sample blades of varying sizes, shapes and materials
  • Balsa wood, corrugated plastic, card stock, paper plates, etc.
  • 1/4″ Dowels
  • Duct tape and/or hot glue
  • Scissors
  • Protractor for measuring blade pitch
  • Safety glasses
  • Poster-size graph paper (optional)
  • Student reading passages and student worksheets

Next Generation Science Standards

Cross-Cutting Concepts

  • Cause & Effect
  • Patterns
  • Systems & System Models
  • Disciplinary Core Ideas

  • ETS1.A Defining & Delimiting an Engineering Problem
  • PS3.C Relationship Between Energy & Forces
  • Learning Objectives

    • Be able to participate in the engineering design process
    • Understand how blade design variables affect power output
    • Know how to improve and optimize wind turbine blades