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Can wind power your classroom?

Grades
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Time Required
1-2 class periods
Topic
Students conduct a simple energy audit for the classroom and estimate what size wind turbine could power their classroom under local wind conditions.

Description

Students will learn about energy consumption and production in this lesson. By conducting a simple energy audit and researching wind energy production, they will gain a solid understanding of how much wind energy/how many turbines it would take to power their consumption habits. Students will also learn to differentiate power versus energy.

Next Generation Science Standards

Disciplinary Core Ideas

  • PS2.A Forces and Motion
  • PS3.A Definitions of Energy
  • PS3.C Relationship Between Energy and Forces
  • ETS1.A Defining and Delimiting an Engineering Problem

Cross Cutting Concepts

  • Energy and Matter
  • Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson students will be able to

  • Understand the relationships among wind speeds, power generation, power consumption, and economic value
  • Know how to analyze wind data
  • Know how to interpret wind speed and power output graphs
  • Understand the difference between energy and power
  • Discuss energy consumption concepts

Materials

  • Real-time data from wind turbines (data websites or supplied data sheets*)
  • Computer with internet access
  • LCD projector (recommended for displaying live data sites)
  • Student reading passages and student worksheets

Optional

  • Classroom wind turbine models
  • Box fans
  • Wind speed meters
  • Anemometer

Additonal Teaching Resources

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About

For the last 15 years KidWind has been focused on teaching the world about renewable energy. We have helped thousands of educators bring wind and solar power to life in the classroom, guided by its award winning curriculum, its unique tools and kits, and a deep passion for the subject matter. Learn more

Contact

  • 2093 Sargent Avenue
  • Saint Paul, MN 55105
  • info@kidwind.org
  • P (877) 917-0079