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?

Photos

Movies

References

KidWind

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (book)

The Boy Who harnessed the Wind (TED talk)