NGSS MS-PS3-5

Age / Subject

Middle School / Phs. Science

Description

Identify occupations in STEM-related careers, emphasizing the academic skills needed in various careers.

NGSS MS-PS2-2

Age / Subject

Middle School / Phs. Science

Description

Plan an investigation to provide evidence that the change in an object's motion depends on the sum of the focus on the object and the mass of the object

NGSS MS-PS2-1

Age / Subject

Middle School / Phs. Science

Description

Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects.*

Sunshine CTE-STEM.68.TE.2.1 - STEM Occupations

Age / Subject

Middle School / Technology⚙️

Description

Identify occupations in STEM-related careers, emphasizing the academic skills needed in various careers.

NGSS 4-PS3-4

Age / Subject

4th Grade, Physical Science

Description

Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.

NGSS 4-PS3-3

Age / Subject

4th Grade, Physical Science

Description

Ask questions and predict outcomes about the changes in energy that occur when objects collide

NGSS 4-PS3-3

Age / Subject

4th Grade, Physical Science

Description

Ask questions and predict outcomes about the changes in energy that occur when objects collide

Sunshine SC.8.N.4.1 - The Role of Creativity in Science

Age / Subject

Middle School / Science🔬🧪

Description

Explain that science and engineering are influenced by society and that societal challenges often inspire scientific investigation and require creativity to solve.

NGSS 4-PS3-2

Age / Subject

4th Grade, Physical Science

Description

Make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents

NGSS 4-PS3-1

Age / Subject

4th Grade, Physical Science

Description

Use evidence to construct an explanation relating the speed of an object to the energy of that object

NGSS 3-5-ETS1

Age / Subject

3rd-5th / Engineering Design

Description

Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.

Wind Turbine Project

Explore Concepts & Careers around WIND TURBINES before Building / Testing one of your own!
Category 
Renewable Energy, Envrionmental Consultant, Turbine Technician
Videos
5 Educational Help Videos
Estimated Length
3-5 Hours of Class time / Programming

Objective: 
Students will apply principles of engineering & renewable energy to design, build, and test a functional wind turbine capable of lifting a bucket of weights—where the amount of weight lifted represents the power generated by the turbine. Through iterative testing and adjustments to blade size, shape, and quantity, students will optimize their designs for maximum energy output.💨🍃

Set in the fictional city of STIIX-Ville, students take on the role of energy engineers tasked with helping the community determine the feasability of wind-based power.⚡

As an extension, students may explore an optional Augmented Reality experience through the STIIX-Ville app, where they can interact with and reflect on careers related to project.🏙️

View Lesson Plan
Get Quote
Recommended Grades

Intro Video

The intro video explains some background of the project and how it relates to the real world.

2 min

Academic Video

We use fun demonstrations to teach about different topics at play in Wind Turbines!

3 min

"How To" Video

Tune into the how to video to find tips, examples, and even obstacles to avoid when designing and building your project.

7 min

Testing & Evaluating

In this video, we walk you through just how to test your project once you are all done designing & building!

3 min

Bonus Video

Hear the stories of professionals in the field and how they use what we learned this month in their jobs everyday!

2 min

Watch and Learn!

5/1 - Intro Video

The intro video explains some background of the bridge project and how it relates to the real world.

2 min

5/2 - Academic Video

We use fun demonstrations to teach about different topics at play in bridges such as Force, Stress, & more!

2 min

5/3 - "How To" Video

Tune into the how to video to find tips, examples, and even obstacles to avoid when designing and building your bridge.

3 min

5/4 - Testing & Evaluating

In this video, we walk you through just how to go about testing your bridge when you are all finished building!

2 min

5. Bonus Video

Tyler Bell from CVL Engineering shares his story about why he wanted to become a civil engineer and what he does now!

1 min

Intro Video

Tune in to hear some of the project background and real world relevance from the Wind Turbine project!

3 min

Academic Video

Tune in to see some of the science and engineering behind Wind Turbines

3 min

"How To" Video

Tune in to see some tips & examples- and how to apply the science to make a successful wind turbine!

8 min

Testing & Evaluation

Tune in to see just how to go about testing your wind turbine, and learn about what the results mean!

4 min

Bonus Video

Tune in to meet Kelsey and Stefano- and hear the awesome impact they are making over at the NREL in Colorado.

1 min

Check out these resources

Lesson Plan

Details process for how to lead activity with class.

How-To Sheet

Step-by-step sheets for students to reference.

Activity Guide

Supplemental worksheet to complement project.

Quiz

Ensure students comprehend the at-hand topics!

Answer Key(s)

Answers to the Activity Guide & Quiz documents.

Template

Some of our favorite designs to model after.

Before class...tune in here!

Project Tips

Before leading a project, please check out this quick video which goes over some helpful tips and things to keep in mind while working on the activity with your classroom.

3 min

NGSS

3-5-ETS1-1
4-PS3-3
MS-PS2-1
MS-PS2-2
MS-PS3-5

Sunshine State☀️

SC.8.N.4.1
CTE-STEM.68.TE.2.1

TEKS

1.6-8-C