Students will learn about the controversy surrounding bird mortality and wind turbines. They will research bird patterns and behaviors to gain a better understanding about wind’s risks to birds. Students will conduct a simple avian risk assessment at a potential wind farm site.
The Details
Grades
6th - 8th Grade
9th - 12th Grade
Time Required
1-2 class periods
Downloads
Printables
Materials
- Student reading passages and student worksheets
- Calculators
Next Generation Science Standards
Disciplinary Core Ideas
- MS-ETS1.A Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems
- MS-ETS1.B Developing Possible Solutions
- MS-LS2.C Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience
- HS-ETS1.A Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems
- HS-ETS1.B Developing Possible Solutions
- HS-LS2.C Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience
Cross-Cutting Concepts
- Stability & Change
Learning Objectives
- Know about some avian behaviors such as feeding, migrating, and nesting
- Be able to collect, evaluate, and use data from a variety of sources
- Understand how birds can be impacted by turbines
