Windmill

Our windmill project began with several hands-on activities that introduced us to the principles of electricity, magnetism, and renewable energy. We first built a Battery Tester to observe how electric current creates magnetic fields, followed by a Paper Cup Motor, where we learned how electromagnets convert electrical energy into mechanical motion. We also completed the Windmill Kit, experimenting with blade number, blade angle, blade shape, and gear ratios to understand how each design choice affects efficiency and power generation. Using what we learned from these mini-projects, our team designed and built a working balsa wood windmill capable of generating electricity using a DC motor as a generator. We designed the windmill with four blades and a rotating head to capture as much wind as possible while keeping the structure stable during testing. After constructing the prototype, we tested it with a fan and successfully generated enough electrical current to light an LED bulb. We also explored electromagnetic induction by measuring the windmill's electrical output and calculating the induced electromotive force (EMF) and current. Finally, we modeled the complete windmill and power station in Tinkercad and produced a scaled 3D-printed version of our design. This project strengthened our understanding of renewable energy, engineering design, CAD modeling, and prototype testing.