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Notes for teachers

This lesson takes place in a classroom for 3 or more hours.
Students will be in groups of 2.
An emphasis on the target project

(Wind Turbine)

Creative solutions should be encouraged. Design and methods used to create or modify a Wind Turbine to work and produce energy in the positive.
Facilitate student reflection on why and how we constructed the wind turbine and produced energy.

Objectives

Use an energy sensor to measure power output.
Calculate power output in the positive and why it may show in the negative.
Determine the relationship between power output and wind speed.
Determine the relationship between power output and blade shape.

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List of Materials

Wind Turbine Generator with Wires (1)
Nacelle Body Half
Motor Mount Pack (1)
8″ Hex Shaft with Hub Quick Connect (1)
Wind Turbine Hub (1)
Power Output Board (1)
Tower Base Leg (3)
Tower Base Locking Ring (1)
Tower Base Hub (1)
Plastic Weightlifter Bucket (1)
Blade Pitch Protractor (1)
Hex Lock (3)
Spool (1)
Gear Set (8-, 16-, 32-, and 64-tooth gears) (1)
20″ Tower (1)
1/2″ Washer (25)
Dowels* (25)
Power Output Pack* (1)
3″ x 12″ x 3/32″ Balsa Wood Sheet* (5)
3″ x 12″ Chipboard Blade Sheet* (10)
4′ String* (4)

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Standards

Examine the use of scientific processes used in Agriculture/Science

3.5 Demonstrate safe practices in the laboratory, classroom, and work situations

13.2

Investigate techniques used to survey land

13.3

Create sketches and plans for structures

13.4

Determine structural requirements, specifications, and estimate costs for structures (i.e., bill of materials)

Math

G.G-MG-A

Apply geometric concepts in modeling situations.

Science

HS.P4U1.8- Engage in argument from evidence that the net change of energy in a system is always equal to the total energy exchanged between the system and the surroundings.

HS+Phy.P4U2.7- Design, evaluate, and refine a device that works within given constraints to transfer energy within a system.

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Objectives:

Use an energy sensor to measure power output.
Calculate power output in the positive and why it may show in the negative.
Determine the relationship between power output and wind speed.
Determine the relationship between power output and blade shape.

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Agenda

Time	Activity	Description / Notes
0–5 min	Introduction & Driving Question Discussion	Pose the driving question: “How can we design wind turbine blades to produce the most power?” Briefly review what “power output” means (energy per unit time) and how sensors measure it.
5–10 min	Setup & Safety Overview	Review materials, how to safely use the fan and energy sensor, and how to record data. Assign group roles (recorder, tester, data collector).
10–40 min	Hands-On Investigation: Wind Power Testing	1. Build or set up the small wind turbine. 2. Test at least three different blade shapes (e.g., wide, narrow, curved). 3. Use the energy sensor to measure power output at different wind speeds. 4. Record whether power output is positive or negative. 5. Plot or tabulate your results.
40–50 min	Group Discussion & Reflection	Groups compare data and discuss: • How did blade shape affect output? • What patterns did you notice with wind speed? • Why might some readings show negative power?
50–55 min	Assessment / Exit Ticket	Individually respond: 1. Which blade design produced the most power? Why? 2. How are wind speed and power output related? 3. What energy transformations occurred in your system?

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

What is the purpose of having alternative methods for capturing energy?

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Step-by-step build

Mark & draw blades� Mark three equal blade sections around the PVC circumference and draw the 25 cm teardrop shape on the pipe.�
Cut blades (adult helps)� Cut the three blade shapes out of the PVC with a hand saw or coping saw. Support the pipe so it doesn’t crack.
Make the hub� Cut the plywood disk (Ø100 mm). Find center and mark a small center hole for the motor shaft or coupler. Mark a circle ~30–40 mm radius and drill three holes 120° apart for the blade bolts.�
Attach blades to hub (set pitch)� Bolt blades to the hub but don’t fully tighten. Shim the trailing edge with thin washers to give each blade ~6° positive pitch (leading edge slightly tilted up). Then tighten.�
Balance the rotor� Mount the hub temporarily on a bolt or motor shaft and let it hang. If one blade drops, sand a little from the heavy blade tip or add a tiny tape counterweight until it stays level.�
Mount motor to nacelle� Fix the motor to a small wooden block or short PVC “T” so the shaft points forward. Secure the hub to the motor shaft with the coupler or tape — make concentric (≤2 mm wobble).�
Add tail & yaw� Attach a 30 cm boom to the back of the nacelle and screw/glue the tail vane (20×12 cm) to it so the turbine faces the wind. Mount the nacelle so it can pivot on a single bolt at top of the tower (simple swivel).�
Do simple wiring (LED demo)� Motor (+) → diode (anode to motor) → resistor (470 Ω) → LED (+) → LED (–) → motor (–).� (If using a capacitor, add a diode then the capacitor across LED terminals—observe polarity.)�
Set up tower & test� Mount on the dowel/tower, point into a steady fan or outside breeze, and observe LED brightness. Measure open-circuit voltage with a multimeter if available.�
Record & experiment� Try changing one variable at a time: blade pitch, blade length, or number of blades. Note RPM, LED brightness or volts.

1 — What you’ll measure

Workability: build quality, safety, starting behavior, stability, and reliability under test winds.�
Performance / Energy: electrical power (W), energy produced (Wh) over time, and practical efficiency compared to wind power available.�

2 — Equipment & instruments

Fan (or outdoor site) with controllable speed.�
Anemometer (wind speed, ±0.1–0.5 m/s).�
Multimeter (voltage and current) or small DC power meter.�
Tachometer or smartphone app to measure RPM (or mark hub and use stopwatch).�
Known resistive load (e.g., 10 Ω or 47 Ω, power rated).�
Stopwatch, notebook, camera.�
Safety gear: eye protection, gloves.�

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Assessment

Students will complete the exit ticket to show their data analysis and to reflect on their understanding of the objectives.

Click here for the assessment.

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Differentiation

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

This project is a group assigned, this will provide student the opportunity to better understand the project, JOS and the over detail of project.
There will be a detailed handout (JOS) which students can work together to understand and get started.
Students will have an example to see along with pictures.

The wind towers were made by teams to see how we decide the size, heights and design for optimum energy capturing ability.. The real world task allow them to see a finished product in use at a small scale and produce a small amount of energy.