Students will construct small windmill models that convert wind energy into mechanical energy by lifting weights. This lesson teaches students the fundamental parts of a windmill, how to test variables using the scientific method, and how energy conversions take place.
The Details
Materials
- 1 Small electric fan
- 1 3/8″ Wooden dowel (16″ long)
- 1 Piece of 1/2″ PVC pipe (10″ long)
- 4-8 Index cards (4″ x 6″)
- 4 Wooden shish kebab skewers (10″ long)
- 4 Feet of string
- 1 12oz Paper deli cup
- 1 Foam cylinder
- 1 Cork
- 4 Straight pins of T-pins
- Clear Scotch Tape (18″)
- Scissors
- 15 Steel washers
- Student reading passages and worksheets
- Staplers
- Various simple tools (pliers, screwdriver, etc.)
Next Generation Science Standards
Cross-Cutting Concepts
- Cause & Effect
- Energy & Matter
Disciplinary Core Ideas
- ETS1.A Defining & Delimiting an Engineering Problem
- PS2.A Forces & Motion
- PS2.B Types of Interactions
- PS3.C Relationship Between Energy & Forces
Learning Objectives
- Know the fundamental parts of a windmill
- Be able to use scientific method to isolate and adjust variables in a model windmill
- Understand energy conversions/transfers and how a windmill converts moving air into usable mechanical energy