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How does a windmill work?

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

Image
Grades
10, 
11, 
12, 
6, 
7, 
8, 
and 9.
Time Required
2 class periods
Downloads
  PDFs

Next Generation Science Standards

Disciplinary Core Ideas

  • ETS1.A Defining and Delimiting an Engineering Problem
  • PS2.A Forces and Motion
  • PS2.B Types of Interactions
  • PS3.C

    • Cross-Cutting Concepts

  • Cause and Effect
  • Energy and Matter

    • 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

    Materials

    – 1 small electric fan
    – 1 3/8″ Wooden Dowel 16*
    – 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 12-ounce paper deli cup
    – 1 foam cylinder
    – 1 cork
    – 4 straight pins of T-pins
    – Clear Scotch Tape (18″)
    – 1 pair of scissors
    – 15 steel washers
    – Student reading passages and worksheets
    – Staplers
    – Various simple tools (pliers, screwdriver, etc.)

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