Can my windmill pick up a weight? Given the same set of materials, groups design and build the most efficient windmill. On the first day, groups concentrate on getting a windmill to spin, while on the second day, they modify their windmills in order to pick up a weight. The extension has the groups calculate the energy and the power of their windmills. This is lesson eight of a 19-part series.

Concepts

power, wind energy, wind turbines, energy conversion, mechanical energy

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• For the second day, provide different materials in which to make the blades as an option for changing the design
• Have the groups compete in a race in lifting the weight as a way to compare efficiencies

Classroom Considerations

• This ist he eighth lesson in a 19-part series
• Small fans are needed for each group
• The closing of the first day needs pictures of windmills and wind turbines

Pros

• Vocabulary list provides definitions of terms encountered in the lesson
• The wrap-up section provides questions for the teacher to ask the class

Cons

• Safety information references a metal rod when there is no metal rod used