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This lesson challenges groups of learners to design and construct a wind generator with the most electrical output. The lesson focuses on the engineering design process and how it is used to identify a question (solve a problem), develop a design or change a design, test that design, observe and collect data, analyze that data, and finally, form a conclusion that can inform another round of design. In this activity, learners attempt to maximize the voltage obtained from a wind-driven turbine by conducting several experimental designs. [Activity is publicly available through a web crawler capture on Archive.org. Activity write-up only, images are unavailable.]
- 1 to 2 hours
- 2 to 4 hours
- $10 - $20 per group of students
- Ages 11 - 14
- Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- Wide mouth straws
- Clay
- Skewers
- Toy motor/generator
- Rubber band or electric tape
- Wires
- Voltmeter
- Index cards
- Scotch tape
- Scissors
- Masking tape
- Pencil
- Two rulers
- Hairdryer with heat settings
- Goggles
- Test tube with cork
- Ice
- Hot plate
- Beakers
- Plastic Wrap
Subjects
-
Earth and Space Science
-
Earth Processes
- Weather and Climate
-
Earth Processes
-
Engineering and Technology
-
Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Technology
-
Engineering
-
Physical Sciences
-
Heat and Thermodynamics
- Heat and Temperature
-
Electricity and Magnetism
- Electric Charges and Currents
- Electromagnetic Fields
- Electric Motors
-
Energy
- Work and Machines
-
States of Matter
- Gases
-
Structure and Properties of Matter
- Mass and Weight
- Volume and Density
-
Heat and Thermodynamics
-
Mathematics
-
Algebra
- Equations and Inequalities
-
Data Analysis and Probability
- Data Analysis
- Data Collection
- Data Representation
-
Algebra
-
The Nature of Science
-
Science and Society
- Risks and Benefits
-
The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
- Gathering Data
- Formulating Explanations
- Communicating Results
-
Science and Society
-
The Nature of Technology
-
Technology and Society
- Impacts of Technology
- Technology and the Environment
-
The Design Process
- Research and Development
- Invention and Innovation
- Problem Solving
- Troubleshooting and Maintenance
-
Technology and Society
Informal Categories
- Nature and Environment
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- read
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves teamwork and communication skills
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
- Lutz, Demetrius
Source Collection
- Teachers TryScience
Rights:
- All rights reserved, Teachers TryScience, 2012