KidWind Design Challenge: Introduction

KidWind Design Challenge Introduction

Using knowledge of how wind energy works, your class/team will work in small groups to design blades powering a KidWind turbine to produce maximum power. Through implementing the engineering process, students design, build, test and improve turbine blades. Students will have the opportunity to compete in online or in-person events at the completion of their project.

The KidWind Design Challenge is offered at no-cost to schools.

7th-12th grade students and teachers are invited to participate.

Quick Look

Grade Levels: 7-12

Time Required: Estimated 3-6 class periods, but variable by grade and course

Recommended Group Size: 2-3 students

Subject Areas: Electricity, Renewable Energy, Engineering, Science & Technology

Participant Benefits & Expectations

The KidWind kit will be sent to you at no cost to your school/district with the following expectations:

You use the kit with your class, energy team or science club during the 2021-2022 school year.
You complete a post-project teacher evaluation documenting how you used the resources with your students. The evaluation will require project photos and videos.
After implementing the challenge and completing the teacher evaluation, you will receive a $150 stipend.

Learning Objectives

After this activity, students should be able to:

Describe the transformations of energy that occur in a wind turbine.
Describe how a wind turbine works.
Explain how the design and position of turbine blades affect the electrical energy produced by it.
Measure electrical output and calculate turbine power and efficiency.
Utilize the engineering design process and scientific method.

Materials List

Basic Class Kit Contents:

Turbine Support Base
Tower PVC
Nacelle (top of the turbine)
Motor with wires
10 Blade Hubs
Blade Pitch Protractors
Dowels for Blades
Chipboard (to construct blades)
30-Ohm Resistor
Alligator Clips
Multimeter

Materials Not Provided:

Fan
Scissors, utility knife
Tape, glue gun and/or glue sticks
Additional blade building supplies (Examples: balsa wood, tag board, Styrofoam, paper plates, disposable cups, 3D printing resources)

What are teachers saying?

I am so grateful for this opportunity. It was great to watch such a diverse group of personalities collaborate together to solve this real-world challenge!

The impact and learning is meaningful because the students had to apply their science, inquiry, problem-solving and design skills they have learned in science class.

These are the best teachable moments when students get direct hands-on learning. These are the projects the students will remember building many years from now. The students who about to graduate come back into my classroom to talk about the projects they built. They never talk about a lecture from 7th grade; always about the fun and learning opportunities provided by OEP.