ide the circle into eight equal pieces. (Skip this step if done prior to the lesson.)
5. Students will make cuts along the lines being sure to stop at the center circle.
6. Students then fold the outer corner of each blade inward to create a flap that is perpendicular to the blade. Fold all blades in the same way.
7. Students will gently push the straw through the back of the hole in the circle with the folded blades facing away. Leave about 1 cm of straw sticking through the opposite side. Tape the circle to the straw to secure it in place.
8. Straighten a paperclip and place the straw over the paperclip.
9. Set the car on a flat, smooth surface. Use a heavy duty paper plate to fan the turbine on the back of the toy car. Students will need to adjust the angle of the paper clip and the strength of their fanning to make the car move forward. Give students time to successfully propel their cars forward and to improve the speed and the accuracy of the direction.
1. Ask each group to demonstrate moving their car. Discuss any differences between each group.
2. What other work can wind energy help us do? Wind can provide energy for sailing and flying kites.
3. What does air need in order to move and create wind? Wind is air in motion and a form of solar energy. Winds are caused by uneven heating of the Earth’s atmosphere by the sun.
4. What do engineers build to generate electricity with wind? Engineers design and build wind turbines. Show the examples of wind turbines using the Wind Turbines on a Wind Farm posters.
5. Where might you see wind turbines? Wind speed varies throughout the United States and from season to season. Wind plant owners must plan very carefully where they build wind farms. Good sites for wind farms include the tops of smooth, rounded hills, open plains or shorelines, and mountain gaps that produce wind funneling.
6. How might you improve the speed and distance your car travels? Answers will vary.
1. Give each group a set of Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Energy cards. Students will consider the facts that are advantages and disadvantages of generating and using wind energy.
• Option1: Students will read each of their cards and discuss and share their ideas. Students sort the cards into one of the two categories.
• Option 2: The teacher will read each card to the class as the students follow along in their groups. Students sort the cards into one of the two categories.
2. Discuss students’ answers as a class, and discuss their ideas about what they have learned.
3. Discuss whether students think people should rely more on wind energy based on what they now know.
Energy Kids: Wind
How Wind Turbines Work
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