1 of 11

The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Wind Turbine Blade Design

2 of 11

Wind Turbine Blade Design

A 6th grade STEM lesson

Author: Heather John

Date: Feb 27, 2023

3 of 11

Notes for teachers

  • This lesson takes place in a classroom for one or more hours.
  • Students are working with their assigned group or table group.
  • An emphasis on how wind turbines blades are engineered.
  • Students could research specific design or ideas.

List of Materials

  • Paper plates
  • Plastic Cuts
  • Thin Wood Pieces
  • Glue Sticks
  • Hot Glue Gun
  • Scissors
  • Rulers
  • Sticks
  • Wind Turbine Hub

4 of 11

Standards

6.P4U2.5: Analyze how humans use technology to store (potential) and/or use (kinetic) energy.

U2: The knowledge produced by science is used in engineering and technologies to solve problems and/or create products.

​

NGSS Standards

MS-ETS1-4 Engineering Design

Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved

MS-PS3-2 Energy

Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system.

​

​

  • ​
  • ​

Standards

Arizona Science and Engineering Practice

  • ask questions and define problems
  • develop and use models
  • plan and carry out investigations
  • analyze and interpret data
  • use mathematics and computational thinking
  • construct explanations and design solutions
  • engage in argument from evidence
  • obtain, evaluate, and communicate information

​

5 of 11

Objectives:

Today I am going to decide on the design (materials) our blades for our wind turbine using equal measurements.

Today I am going to construct my blades for our wind turbine with my group.

Today I am going to complete the wind turbine hub with the blades for the wind turbine.

6 of 11

Agenda: One Class Period

  1. Introduction and Video
  2. Collaboration (10 minutes)
    1. Discuss blade design
    2. Research blade designs
  3. Construct Blades
  4. Finalize Blades
    • attach to wind turbine hub
  5. Assessment/Closure

7 of 11

What blade style will convert wind energy into electricity?

​

​

​

​

You will decide with your group the materials to use to design your blades for your wind turbine.

​

​

Wind Turbines: GE Electric Video on how wind turbine blades are engineered

8 of 11

Hands-on Activity Instructions

  • Group is made of 3-4 students (this group needs to be the same for the KidWind Turbine Project)
  • Steps
    • 10 minutes: Discuss what materials you will use for your blades (how many blades, shape, size, length, etc.) and research some ideas
    • Gather supplies and start constructing/engineering blades
    • Use hot glue gun to attach blades to the sticks
    • Attach blades with sticks to the wind turbine hub
    • Test blades on hub with a fan: how long does it take to make one full rotation (360 degrees)

​

​

9 of 11

Assessment:

Checklist:

Does your wind turbine have:

  • Blades
  • Sticks
  • Rotor

Exit Ticket: Blank Note Card answer the following questions (one per group)

  1. Why did you choose the design for your blades?
  2. What do you think will happen when attached to the main wind turbine when wind hits it?
  3. Was there a challenging part of designing your blades? Why?

​

​

10 of 11

Closure

Wrap up the lesson by discussing what students learned about blade shape and size, and how it affects wind turbine efficiency. Encourage them to think about how wind energy can be harnessed to generate clean electricity, and the importance of renewable energy sources in addressing climate change.

11 of 11

Differentiation

Homogeneous grouping for students who need teacher support, this group is whom you will work closely with in measurements, design, etc. These could be your English Language Learners, Special Education, low/medium level learners.

​

Revisit purpose of blades on wind turbines, look videos of blade designs

​

Wind Energy Basics

​

Ducksters: Wind Energy

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

For students who finish early or want to explore the topic further, you can provide additional resources such as videos or articles about wind energy and wind turbines. You can also challenge them to build a simple wind turbine generator using their blades and a small motor.

​

Wind Turbine Simulation