Design a Windmill (Stephen H)
Author(s)
Stephen
NGSS Engineering Standards
1. Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)
2. Developing and using models
3. Planning and carrying out investigations
4. Analyzing and interpreting data
5. Using mathematics and computational thinking
6. Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)
7. Engaging in argument from evidence
8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
Materials needed
Bamboo Skewers
¼ inch dowel rods (36 inch long when purchased and cut in half and sharpened with a pencil sharpener on one end)
Wooden Spools that have ¼ inch opening through middle
Wine Corks
Blue Painters Tape
Large Diameter Straws (Used for Boba Tea)
Cardboard Discs with ¼ inch hole in middle (Cut with Laser cutter or hand cut)
Kite String
Small Cups (Individual condiment cups)
Nuts for mass (provide mass for one)
Large Stand-up Fans (3 or more optimal)
Scissors (large to cut cardboard or Styrofoam)
Cardboard
Styrofoam plates
Plastic Plates
Other sources for blade construction
Fan approximately 1 foot away from table edge
2 Boba straws taped down in line pointing directly at fan and hanging over table edge 2 mm
Procedure
Sketch a diagram of your model. Explain what you are trying to optimize.
Justify your design elements and explain its strengths and weaknesses
Construct your windmill based off of your original plan. Make changes as necessary.
Test your windmill.
Revise your design.
Rebuilt and retest.
Explain your design
Create and explain a whiteboard that includes a claim, evidence and reasoning that addresses:
How energy is converted from one form to another
The relationship between blade design and the amount of mass it can raise.
Questions
How energy is converted from one form to another in your windmill design
The relationship between blade design and the amount of mass it can raise.
What did you revise in your windmill design? Were your revisions successful? Why or why not?
How would your design change if you were asked to lift 5 washers in the least amount of time?