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Ohio Energy Project Secondary STEM Design Challenge

Overview
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Project Overview

In this STEM Design Challenge, students are tasked with designing and constructing their own blades using any available or provided materials. To evaluate their creations, all students will use a fan or wind tunnel as a consistent power source, with everyone standing the same distance from it and using the fan set to the same setting. Throughout the challenge, students will conduct multiple trials to test their blades’ performance and will have the chance to redesign their blades based on their findings.

Student Award

1. Engineering Award- For the best Re-design 2. Master Architect- For the best blade design 3. Innovation Award- For the most innovative design.

Submit Your Project

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Show off your project! Be sure we can see the whole thing, including any special or unique details. This image will be public in the View Projects section.
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In 3 short sentences describe the project. This will be public in the View Projects section.
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    Design Process and Reporting

    Share schematics for any 3-D printed parts if applicable.
    Accepted file types: pdf, txt, doc, docx, Max. file size: 50 MB.
    Documentation is important. This can be used to tell the origin story of the design idea by explaining why the team used certain materials and technologies. Explain why the team shaped, designed, and organized the blades the way they did. Documentation can also show design iterations and results throughout the project with the different variables and conditions the device was tested under and highlight aspects specific to the design. This can be done through a Powerpoint presentation, narrative, or design notebooks for example.
    Accepted file types: pdf, txt, doc, docx, Max. file size: 50 MB.
    Documentation is important, please provide where your code was sourced from and describe how each resource was used. You do not need to include the code.
    Accepted file types: pdf, txt, doc, docx, Max. file size: 50 MB.
    Max. file size: 50 MB.

    Turbine Performance Fields

    The Turbine, blades and all accessories must fit within a 4’’ width, 4’ length, 4’ height space.
    Need help? See common fans (on the highest setting) and corresponding wind velocities on this cheat sheet.
    Need help? Check out this calculation guide. The typical range for this value is 1000 cm2 - 8000 cm2. This will be publicly shared.
    This value must be a whole number. Do not use decimals or spaces. Need help? Check out this guide. This will be publicly shared.
    Need help calculating voltage? Check out this guide. This will be publicly shared.
    Wind Load Chart
    Load
    Qty
    Notes
     

    Solar Home General Information

    1 image of the surrounding environment
    Drop files here or
    Accepted file types: jpg, png, heic, jpeg, Max. file size: 10 MB, Max. files: 1.

      Solar Home Narrative

      The Solar Home and all accessories must fit within a 2’ width, 2’ length, 1’ height space.
      Describe in two sentences or less what the solar home is (that could be its name, materials, shape, general purpose) what inhabits it, the environment it’s in, and its general purpose.

      For example: The LoneStar Space Garden provides astronauts in space an Earth-like sanctuary and food garden with plants, waterfalls, insects, and animals, all made possible by solar power.
      Set the stage by briefly describing the environment and why the selected environment was a good place for the solar home. Introduce the inhabitants and their wants and needs. Talk about the solar powered features and how those features address the wants and needs of the inhabitants.
      1 image of the surrounding environment
      Drop files here or
      Accepted file types: jpg, png, heic, jpeg, Max. file size: 10 MB, Max. files: 1.
        1 image that shows the inhabitants
        Drop files here or
        Accepted file types: jpg, png, heic, jpeg, Max. file size: 10 MB, Max. files: 1.
          1-3 images that zoom in on the solar powered features.
          Drop files here or
          Accepted file types: jpg, png, heic, jpeg, Max. file size: 10 MB, Max. files: 3.
            Tell the origin story of the design idea by explaining why the team used certain materials and technologies. How does the team think the solar home they created is inspired by real world problems? Explain why the team shaped, designed, and organized the solar home in response to its environmental factors. Describe how the needs, health, entertainment, and comfort of the inhabitants were considered.
            1-3 images that highlight the solar home design
            Drop files here or
            Accepted file types: jpg, png, heic, jpeg, Max. file size: 10 MB, Max. files: 3.
              Explain how the team considered the social and cultural connections of the inhabitants when making the solar home. Describe how the solar home is “green,” and how it has a low impact on its environment.
              1-3 images that focus on how the solar home is “green,” optional photo of how the design considers social and cultural connections.
              Drop files here or
              Accepted file types: jpg, png, heic, jpeg, Max. file size: 10 MB, Max. files: 3.
                Team members describe their roles and how they worked within the team. Each team member lists some part of the process, design, or build of the solar home that they really enjoyed doing.

                Wind General Information

                1 image using a ruler to show the measurement from the tip of the blade to the center of the hub. This image will be used to check the Rotor Swept Area by showing the rotor dimension.
                Drop files here or
                Accepted file types: jpg, png, heic, jpeg, Max. file size: 10 MB, Max. files: 1.

                  Wind Narrative

                  Team members describe their roles and how they worked within the team. Each team member lists some part of the process, design, or build of the solar home that they really enjoyed doing.

                  Additional Files

                  In the solar panel schematic, include each solar powered circuit's configuration (parallel/series), and a label to what the terminals connect to. Label each panel's rated voltage and current, the length, width, and area of each solar panel, and each configurations voltage/current/wattage total. This Schematic is different from the wiring diagram because it only includes the solar panel arrangement, not the rest of the circuit. For example, if the team has up to three circuits that are powered by solar, they will need to provide three solar panel schematics.
                  Drop files here or
                  Max. file size: 10 MB, Max. files: 10.
                    Each circuit requires a separate wiring diagram. Teams must provide a wiring diagram for no more than three circuits. Each wiring diagram must include a symbols key. The wiring diagram should have the symbols labeled for all the electrical parts of a circuit, and every emergency switch clearly labeled as such in the diagram. If using power storage, teams will label how the solar panels are charging the power storage and how the storage is powering the loads on the device. Solar Home Elementary 4th-5th Division can create a hand drawn wiring diagram. For Solar Home 6th-8th and Solar Smart Home 9th-12th a printout is required and using a wiring diagram application is optional. If the wiring diagram is complicated, there is no need to fit it into a 8.5” x 11” paper size. The team can expand their diagram onto other pages as long as the continuation is clearly labeled.
                    Drop files here or
                    Max. file size: 10 MB, Max. files: 10.
                      Documentation is important, please provide where your code was sourced from and describe how each resource was used. You do not need to include the code.
                      Materials Used
                      Material
                      How was the material used in the build?
                      Is the material recycled, found, or purchased?
                      If purchased, how much did it cost? If free, put a zero
                       
                      Project Submissions
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                      The Goofy Goobers

                      Wynford · Julie Rexroad
                      Key Metrics
                      Wind Speed (m/s)
                      Rotor Swept Area (cm2)
                      207.26
                      Resistor Value (ohms)
                      30
                      Voltage
                      0.504
                      See the Project Solo
                      Read more here

                      Project Overview

                      The fan is modeled after a planes propeller. The propellers are roughly dome-shaped and rather small. The blades are at a -5 pitch.

                      Lily&Bri

                      Wynford · Scott Rabun
                      Key Metrics
                      Wind Speed (m/s)
                      Rotor Swept Area (cm2)
                      Resistor Value (ohms)
                      Voltage
                      See the Project Solo
                      Read more here

                      Project Overview

                      A cheetah print fan.That took 15 minutes to make all together.

                      Bling Breeze

                      Wynford · Julie Rexroad
                      Key Metrics
                      Wind Speed (m/s)
                      Rotor Swept Area (cm2)
                      1963.5
                      Resistor Value (ohms)
                      30
                      Voltage
                      180
                      See the Project Solo
                      Read more here

                      Project Overview

                      Our fan has three 25 cm-long blades. Each blade's pitch is 40 degrees, and the combined mass of all three blades is 43.34 grams. We added gems to the blades for a fun touch!

                      Mallory Brause

                      Wynford · Julie Rexroad
                      Key Metrics
                      Wind Speed (m/s)
                      Rotor Swept Area (cm2)
                      4534.16
                      Resistor Value (ohms)
                      30
                      Voltage
                      0.001
                      See the Project Solo
                      Read more here

                      Project Overview

                      This fan has four blades. It's blade pitch is 40 degrees. I used Cardboard, tape and dowel rods to create this fan.

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                      Money trees

                      Wynford High School · Julie Rexroad
                      Key Metrics
                      Wind Speed (m/s)
                      Rotor Swept Area (cm2)
                      Resistor Value (ohms)
                      Voltage
                      See the Project Solo
                      Read more here

                      Project Overview

                      A fan with multiple arms that are filled with glitter glue and beads. The fan starts to shine when going full speed, giving a theme of money all over the place.

                      Churro

                      Wynford · Julie Rexroad
                      Key Metrics
                      Wind Speed (m/s)
                      Rotor Swept Area (cm2)
                      Resistor Value (ohms)
                      Voltage
                      See the Project Solo
                      Read more here

                      Project Overview

                      Our project is made out of cardboard, wood sticks, gems, Hub, and hot glue. We added the gems to make it look prettier. Then we hot glued the sticks to the back of the cardboard.

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                      Spinny Pretty Thingy

                      Wynford High School · Julie Rexroad
                      Key Metrics
                      Wind Speed (m/s)
                      Rotor Swept Area (cm2)
                      Resistor Value (ohms)
                      Voltage
                      See the Project Solo
                      Read more here

                      Project Overview

                      Our fan was constructed from wood sticks, cardboard, glue and gems and only has 3 blades. During our three trials we changed things like pitch and weight on our fan but our fan speed got worse as we went on. We used a few gems on the fan blades to make it look good.

                      Gemmy the Fan

                      Wynford High School · Mrs. Rexroad
                      Key Metrics
                      Wind Speed (m/s)
                      Rotor Swept Area (cm2)
                      Resistor Value (ohms)
                      Voltage
                      See the Project Solo
                      Read more here

                      Project Overview

                      Gemmy the Fan is very unique with all of its gems. It has a 30 cm length and a wind speed of 4.7. It also had a mass of 53.63.

                      Twin Cities

                      Wynford · Mrs. Rexroad
                      Key Metrics
                      Wind Speed (m/s)
                      Rotor Swept Area (cm2)
                      1885.74
                      Resistor Value (ohms)
                      30
                      Voltage
                      0.285
                      See the Project Solo
                      Read more here

                      Project Overview

                      We made a fan with two blades inspired after some older airplanes from the early 1900s. We simply used hot glue and tape in order to keep the blades in place. We had a pitch of 20 degrees.

                      steelers fan

                      Wynford Royals · Julie Rexroad
                      Key Metrics
                      Wind Speed (m/s)
                      Rotor Swept Area (cm2)
                      Resistor Value (ohms)
                      Voltage
                      See the Project Solo
                      Read more here

                      Project Overview

                      The fan has 3 blades. They are angled at 15 degrees. The fan had an power output of 0.006 watts.

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                      Team Riding With the Wind

                      Ansonia High School · Mr. Wright
                      Key Metrics
                      Wind Speed (m/s)
                      6
                      Rotor Swept Area (cm2)
                      5679
                      Resistor Value (ohms)
                      30
                      Voltage
                      0.43
                      See the Project Solo
                      Read more here

                      Project Overview

                      Kristen, Miley, and Jenna are Riding the Wind with their project. This tri-blade square design is ready to cook the competition. Did their numbers help them bring home the win?

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                      La Ciudad de Viento

                      Ansonia High School · Mr. Wright
                      Key Metrics
                      Wind Speed (m/s)
                      6
                      Rotor Swept Area (cm2)
                      1661.9
                      Resistor Value (ohms)
                      30
                      Voltage
                      0.65
                      See the Project Solo
                      Read more here

                      Project Overview

                      Cainan and Olivia are seen here showing off 'La Ciudad de Viento" [The City of Wind]. Their project features an offset square design pitched to perfection. Compact and powerful, their design is changing the game.

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                      The Solo Windmill

                      Ansonia High School · Mr. Wright
                      Key Metrics
                      Wind Speed (m/s)
                      6
                      Rotor Swept Area (cm2)
                      10737.1
                      Resistor Value (ohms)
                      30
                      Voltage
                      0.42
                      See the Project Solo
                      Read more here

                      Project Overview

                      Introducing Eric and The Solo Windmill. This dual blade design had maximum surface area in mind when constructed. The numbers don't lie, see for yourself…………

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                      The Wind Eaters

                      Ansonia High School · Mr. Wright
                      Key Metrics
                      Wind Speed (m/s)
                      6
                      Rotor Swept Area (cm2)
                      3117.25
                      Resistor Value (ohms)
                      30
                      Voltage
                      0.31
                      See the Project Solo
                      Read more here

                      Project Overview

                      Nate, Nolan, and Reese, founding members of Team The Wind Eaters, brought their wind turbine to the testing table looking for big numbers! Their tri-blade, knife design was stylish and ready to wield some fast speeds. Were they able to chop up the competition?

                      Project Images
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                      The Clouds

                      Ansonia High School · Mr. Wright
                      Key Metrics
                      Wind Speed (m/s)
                      6
                      Rotor Swept Area (cm2)
                      10747
                      Resistor Value (ohms)
                      30
                      Voltage
                      0.40
                      See the Project Solo
                      Read more here

                      Project Overview

                      Addisyn and Paige [Team The Clouds] were focused on testing how the number of blades affected the wind turbine's performance. They decided to go with your 'Classic Corn Dog' blade shape for their experimental trials. Did their design hit the mark, or did it just leave us hungry for more?

                      Project Images
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                      The Wacky Whirrigigs

                      Ansonia High School · Mr. Wright
                      Key Metrics
                      Wind Speed (m/s)
                      6
                      Rotor Swept Area (cm2)
                      1963.4
                      Resistor Value (ohms)
                      30
                      Voltage
                      0.63
                      See the Project Solo
                      Read more here

                      Project Overview

                      Introducing the team of Matt and Maecy and the Wacky Whirrigigs! For their project, they decided to create fan blades mimicking their favorite food……..pizza slices! Check out their data to see how pizza shaped blades might be the key to unlocking more power for the future!